Category Archives: redemption

Journey Beyond The Quiet And You Will Find Your Purpose – Lech Lecha

G-d said to Abraham “go for yourself from your land, from your relatives and from your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation. I will bless you, and make your name great, and you shall be a blessing.” (Lech Lecha, 12:1-2) This isContinue reading “Journey Beyond The Quiet And You Will Find Your Purpose – Lech Lecha“

Toying With Teshuva – The Yo-Yo Of Persistence

The Torah portion, Nitzavim, is read on the Shabbat before Rosh Hashanah – a time when teshuva is on our minds. Teshuva, repentance, is the great mitzvah of the ten days beginning with Rosh Hashana and culminating on Yom Kippur. There is no more appropriate Parsha to read right now, with Nitzavim teaching us, asContinue reading “Toying With Teshuva – The Yo-Yo Of Persistence“

Self-Preparation Readies Us For Community Celebration

Fridays are my favourite day of the week. I wake up with a song in my head and heart, a spring in my step and spend the day looking forward to Shabbat. Our Jewish calendar, after all, teaches us the importance of both mental and physical preparation. Whether it’s baking challah on Friday afternoon, cleaningContinue reading “Self-Preparation Readies Us For Community Celebration“

To Love And Be Loved, We Must Be Brave

Isn’t it interesting how the lessons we learn from Disney films translate to this majestical month of Elul? If you’ve ever watched Pixar’s production, Brave, you’re familiar with the fiery Merida. Not only is she a skilled Scottish archer, but she’s also determined to defy age-old customs, refuses to marry a lord from another clan,Continue reading “To Love And Be Loved, We Must Be Brave“

Teshuvah – Taming The Inner Beast

Teshuvah – the great mitzvah of repentance. We hear the word a lot this time of year, especially so in the days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. But it’s also a Disney theme. Beauty and the Beast is a story of teshuvah. The Beast’s sins of selfishness and pride bring upon himself and hisContinue reading “Teshuvah – Taming The Inner Beast”

Why Is This Shabbos Different From All Others?

And so the questions begin. Today is Shabbat Hagadol, the great Shabbat and that means that one week today we will be swimming in matzah and a host of other kosher le’Pesach treats. It also means it’s time to roll up our sleeves and clean chametz from the home. Think of it as Jewish springContinue reading “Why Is This Shabbos Different From All Others?”