Related Blog Posts on Voices of WRJ

Closeup of a Torah unscrolled on blue fabric
Vayikra

Voices – Parashah Vayikra

Susan C. Bass WRJ Immediate Past President
 March 18, 2021
I love baseball. I am an unabashed baseball fan and have been since attending my first Atlanta Braves baseball game at the age of nine. I am willing to watch baseball at any level – from the Little League World Series to the College World Series to, well, THE World Series. It took a little while for my 10-year-old brain to understand why a batter would intentionally lay down a bunt (a sacrifice) to advance a runner, or why a fly ball was called a sacrifice, just because a runner went to the next base (or scored a run). After all, a sacrifice is something important or precious that is given up for the sake of gaining something or allowing something to happen that is considered more important.
Torah scroll
Voices of WRJ

Voices of WRJ: Vayak’heil-P’Kudei

Holly Plotnick
 March 12, 2021

 

In last week’s Torah portion (Ki Tisa), the Israelites gathered against Aaron (Moses’ brother) to demand that he led them to make the Golden Calf as an idol to represent God as they were unsure when or if Moses would be returning. As we move into this...

Torah scroll
Voices of WRJ

Voices of WRJ: Ki Tisa

fredi Bleeker Franks
 March 5, 2021

This week’s Parashah, Ki Tisa, is chock full of good stuff. It includes directions for the first census, God’s additional instructions for building the tabernacle, rules for keeping Shabbat, and the golden calf episode and its aftermath. We see God’s anger...

Torah scroll
Voices of WRJ

Voices of WRJ; T'tzaveh

Debbie Jackson, Temple Israel - Memphis
 February 26, 2021

 

Even though parashah T’tzaveh is not read until this month, I find myself writing today on December 31, 2020. Like so many of us, I’m reflecting on this past year and moving towards the light that is 2021.

Closeup of a Torah unscrolled on blue fabric
Voices of WRJ

Voices of WRJ - T'rumah

Julia Weinstein
 February 18, 2021

 

In Parashah T'rumah, God instructs, “And let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them.” Where does God dwell today, and how do we apply the concept of sanctuary to our lives during these uncertain times?

God was very detailed in instructing

Torah scroll
Voices of WRJ

Voices of WRJ - Mishpatim

Rachelle Weiss Crane
 February 12, 2021

 

Mishpatim is filled with detailed rules and regulations. It would be naïve to read the interpersonal laws about the treatment of animals, slaves, and property and how to offer kindness to strangers as mundane. This is far from true.

Closeup of a Torah unscrolled on blue fabric
Voices of WRJ

Voices of WRJ - Yitro

Rosanne Selfon
 February 5, 2021

Oh my, Parashah Yitro packs a wallop! There is much to consider. The Reform Judaism website summary for Yitro states:

  • Yitro brings his daughter Zipporah and her two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, to his son-in-law, Moses. (18:1-12)
  • Moses follows Yitro's...
open Torah scroll
Voices of WRJ

Voices of WRJ - Bo

Marilyn Morrison
 January 22, 2021

In our Torah portion this Shabbat, Parashah Bo, we encounter the final plagues God brings upon Pharaoh. Each successive plague becomes more severe and debilitating. And as the plagues become worse, Pharaoh becomes more stubborn. With blood, frogs, lice...
Voices of WRJ

Voices of WRJ

Cher Krichmar
 January 15, 2021

 

In this Torah portion, we read about Moses and his dilemma of bringing his people out of Egypt and bondage. He cannot persuade his people to accept G-d’s wishes. He wonders, if his people rebuff him, how will he convince Pharaoh to believe him?