”With our youth and with our elders, with our sons and with our daughters we will go. For it is a feast of our Lord.”
-Exodus 10:9
Welcome to the new season of the ‘Raising Holy Sparks’ podcast. This year, we will be focusing on Jewish concepts and will be experimenting with ways to take them out of the theoretical and turn them into the practical.
Continue reading “Practical Judaism – Bo”
“The Israelites were led out of Egypt on account of three things: they did not change their names, language, or clothing.” -Midrash
Welcome to the new season of the ‘Raising Holy Sparks’ podcast. This year, we will be focusing on Jewish concepts and will be experimenting with ways to take them out of the theoretical and turn them into the practical.
Continue reading “Practical Judaism – Shemot”
The Counting of the Omer is a 49 day journey from our Exodus out of Egypt towards receiving the Torah at Mt Sinai. How much Torah we receive depends entirely on how much we free ourselves during these days.
Welcome to the “Raising Holy Sparks” podcast! Hope you enjoy these short weekly insights into the torah portion! This week we dive deep into the holiday of Passover/Pesach. Continue reading “Special Holiday Edition – Passover/Pesach”
Social distancing and Self Isolation during the time of COVID-19 (coronavirus) is going to be as tough and long as a marathon. At the end of a marathon you run through the tape at the finish line. In this week’s torah portion at the end of building of the tabernacle, a special ritual takes place. What will be our formal ritual at the end of this crisis?
Welcome to the “Raising Holy Sparks” podcast! Hope you enjoy these short weekly insights into the torah portion! This week we dive deep into the Double Parshah of Vayakhel & Pekudei. Continue reading “Weekly Torah Portion – Vayakhel & Pekudei”
In this parsha of Ki Tisa, Moses descends from Mt Sinai after having been in contact with God. His face shined such a radiant light that he needed to wear a veil. What does Moses’ revealing and concealing of the light of inspiration teach us about holding on to the glory of yesterday at the expense of moving forward tomorrow.
Welcome to the “Raising Holy Sparks” podcast! Hope you enjoy these short weekly insights into the torah portion! This week we dive deep into the Parshah of Ki Tisa. Continue reading “Weekly Torah Portion – Ki Tisa”
In this week’s torah portion of Tetzaveh we learn of the special outfits that the high priests and regular priests would wear when they served in the mishkan- the tabernacle. This is the same outfit the Jews are buried in after the ritual of tahara.
Welcome to the “Raising Holy Sparks” podcast! Hope you enjoy these short weekly insights into the torah portion! This week we dive deep into the Parshah of Tetzaveh. Continue reading “Weekly Parshah Reflections – Tetzaveh”
In the torah portion of Terumah, the theme of equal access to all is continued. God is not to be found only in the Heavens, instead, God says ‘build for Me a sanctuary, so that I may dwell in your midst.” Judaism is the religion of close contact between humankind and the holy. Let us continue to build a world that is worthy of God to dwell in.
Welcome to the “Raising Holy Sparks” podcast! Hope you enjoy these short weekly insights into the torah portion! This week we dive deep into the Parshah of Terumah. Continue reading “Weekly Parshah Reflections – Terumah”
In this week’s parsha of Mishpatim the Israelites say to God “naaseh ve’nishmah” – all that you say we will do and we will hear.” This proclamation of faith and support demonstrates the necessity for hope and belief even when one does not yet know all of the details for what is to come.
Welcome to the “Raising Holy Sparks” podcast! Hope you enjoy these short weekly insights into the torah portion! This week we dive deep into the Parshah of Mishpatim. Continue reading “Weekly Torah Portion – Mishpatim”
In this week’s parsha of Yitro, God descends to Mt Sinai in a thick murky cloud to give the people the 10 commandments. While the Israelites keep a safe distance, Moses steps into the fog to meet God. This is what we must to.. embrace mystery or miss out on the whole thing.
Welcome to the “Raising Holy Sparks” podcast! Hope you enjoy these short weekly insights into the torah portion! This week we dive deep into the Parshah of Yitro. Continue reading “Weekly Torah Portion – Yitro”
In the torah portion of Beshalach, the Israelites finally escape from Egypt and make their way to the Promised Land. As they roam through the desert they begin to complain of hunger. They are given manna. Soon they will complain about that as well. What does their story teach us about a positive outlook and when we have it?
Welcome to the “Raising Holy Sparks” podcast! Hope you enjoy these short weekly insights into the torah portion! This week we dive deep into the Parshah of Beshalach. Continue reading “Weekly Parshah Reflections – Beshalach”
Rabbi Misha Clebaner 