Shelach Numbers 13:1–15:41  By Jen Smith  There are some Torah portions that inspire me immediately. Shelach is not one of them.  I love Torah, and I love Judaism. I have devoted much of my life to serving the Jewish people and helping others find meaning in our ancient traditions and rich culture. Yet, every year when I arrive at the story of the man who […]

Beha’alotecha Numbers 8:1–12:16 by Jen Smith This week’s Torah portion, Beha’alotecha, opens with a simple but curious instruction. God tells Aaron to kindle the lamps of the menorah, but the Hebrew word God used is not simply “light.” Instead, the Torah says beha’alotecha et ha-neirot, “when you raise up the lamps.” The sages noticed this […]

Parashat Naso Numbers 4:21–7:89 By Jen Smith Baseball is a game of patience, resilience, teamwork, and sacred timing. There are long stretches of waiting, moments of failure, flashes of brilliance, and the constant invitation to step up when your turn finally comes. Whether you are the leadoff hitter, the backup catcher, or the closer called […]

Bamidbar Numbers 1:1 – 4:20 By Jen Smith This week, we turn the page on a new book, Bamidbar (Book of Numbers), which immediately opens with God’s command for the people to take a census. At first glance, it feels strange that our sacred text would include something so overwhelmingly…well, administrative. Detailed lists of names, […]

Parashat Behar–Bechukotai Leviticus 25:1 – 27:34  By Jen Smith  This week’s double portion, Behar–Bechukotai, arrives just as we count the 37th day of the Omer, which names our intention this week: Gevurah sheb’Yesod – Might within Foundation. In the mystical tradition of the Omer1, this day asks us to examine the strength of our roots. Not strength as domination or force, but the sacred, sometimes rigorous, discipline required to sustain […]

Emor Leviticus 21:1–24:23 By Jen Smith There’s a peculiar rhythm to this week’s Torah portion, Emor. It opens with the laws governing the Kohanim (priests), including laws for who they can marry, what to do after becoming ritually impure, and how to maintain a heightened standard of holiness. It is a detailed and exhaustive (almost […]