Welcome to Shabbat Awakenings, a weekly reflection as we enter Shabbat. We have arrived to the turning point in the life of Jacob. Last week, we witnessed his early years marked by birthright and blessing acquisition obtained by unsavory means. He negotiated the birthright away from his brother Esau over a bowl of stew. […]

Welcome to Shabbat Awakenings, a weekly reflection as we move toward Shabbat. This week’s Torah portion, Toldot, begins with the birth of Isaac’s twin sons, Jacob and Esau, and their negotiation regarding the birthright, and the lifesaving stew. The portion ends with the complicated matter of Jacob receiving the blessing instead of Esau. Right in […]

  Welcome to Shabbat Awakenings, a weekly reflection in preparation for Shabbat. According to the Talmud, the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, instituted the idea of praying three times a day.  (Berachot 26b) In this week’s portion, we learn how Isaac initiated the idea of praying in the afternoon. This section of the Torah revolves […]

Welcome to Shabbat Awakenings, a weekly reflection as we make our way toward Shabbat. I have spent many hours in the past days looking down at the ground. I, along with a couple hundred other bike riders, including four TI folks*, are making our way from Jerusalem to Eilat. We are raising money for two […]