Light of Torah
Five Ways to Avoid Anti-Judaism this Lent
Astute Christian homilists and teachers know that one of the challenges of ‘breaking open’ the Scriptures during Lent, and especially...
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weekly insights
Light of Torah
- Jan 19, 2023
- 3 min
Exodus Interrupted
Read Exodus 6:1—7:7 slowly, carefully, and preferably with a friend. The narrative describes God preparing Moses for the great event of...
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Light of Torah
- Jan 12, 2023
- 3 min
An Awakening for Moses
This week, we commence the Book of Exodus and select this verse as our focus: "Now it was some years later, Moshe grew up; he went out to...
58 views
Light of Torah
- Jan 9, 2023
- 8 min
25 Homiletic tips for Next Christmas, 2023
Can Christians find the words to honour Judaism at Christmas time? Jesus was born a Jew. He was born in the first century of the common...
167 views
Light of Torah
- Jan 5, 2023
- 3 min
Jacob Blesses his Grandchildren
As the Book of Genesis draws to its conclusion, in chapter 48 we find a poignant deathbed scene. The elderly Jacob shares final words...
60 views
Light of Torah
- Dec 29, 2022
- 3 min
Joseph, Jacob and a Tragic Misunderstanding
The story of Joseph’s reconciliation with his brothers is one of the great dramas of the book of Genesis, and Judah’s passionate speech...
63 views
Light of Torah
- Dec 22, 2022
- 3 min
Jacob's Decision
In this week’s Torah portion Jacob sends his sons to Egypt to buy food while their own land is in the grip of famine. However he does not...
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Light of Torah
- Dec 16, 2022
- 3 min
What are you Seeking?
Chapter 37 of Genesis begins the saga of Jacob and his children. We soon learn that seventeen year old Joseph is the favoured, gifted...
66 views
Light of Torah
- Dec 9, 2022
- 3 min
Dinah
It is hard to think of a more disturbing passage in the Torah than the rape of Dinah and the bloodbath that follows as described in...
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Light of Torah
- Dec 1, 2022
- 3 min
The Morning After the Wedding
"Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and broke into tears” (Genesis 29:11). Thus begins the passionate and troubled love affair between Jacob and...
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Light of Torah
- Nov 25, 2022
- 3 min
A Complicated Family
The relationship between Jacob and Esau is a colourful saga within the larger family story that fills the book of Genesis. By this stage...
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Light of Torah
- Nov 18, 2022
- 3 min
An Ancient Love Story
How do you choose a spouse in marriage? What qualities do you seek? What virtues do you hope and pray for your children to find in their...
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Light of Torah
- Nov 11, 2022
- 3 min
What was Sodom's sin?
‘How great is the outcry against Sodom and how very grave their sin!’ (Genesis 18:20). Exactly what was the sin of the biblical cities of...
59 views
Light of Torah
- Nov 4, 2022
- 3 min
At Home with Sarah
The biblical matriarch Sarah is loved and revered in Jewish tradition. Yet this does not mean she is perfect or beyond critique. A great...
72 views
Light of Torah
- Oct 28, 2022
- 3 min
After the Flood
This week is an opportunity to extend our knowledge of a familiar bible story, perhaps known since childhood: Noah’s ark. We may already...
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Light of Torah
- Oct 21, 2022
- 3 min
Cain's Choice
The story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-16) is a tale of sibling rivalry of archetypal significance. Have you ever stopped to consider...
58 views
Light of Torah
- Oct 7, 2022
- 3 min
Hidden Meanings
As we draw near to the end of the Book of Deuteronomy, we find a striking example of biblical poetry traditionally referred to as ‘the...
75 views
Light of Torah
- Sep 29, 2022
- 3 min
LETTING GO
As the Book of Deuteronomy moves towards its conclusion, Moses prepares for his death and bids his people farewell. His leadership has...
55 views
Light of Torah
- Sep 26, 2022
- 2 min
10 Life Lessons: Rosh Hashanah - Jewish New Year
Shana Tova U'Metuka Festival greetings to Jewish friends for Rosh Hashanah, and a wish for all the goodness and sweetness of the new...
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Light of Torah
- Sep 16, 2022
- 3 min
Blessed are your comings and your goings
In this reflection we explore rabbinic thought patterns and the insights of Jewish commentators concerning a single verse of Scripture:...
55 views
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