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weekly insights


Why was Moses Excluded from the Promised Land?
In the Israelites’ wilderness journey, Moses and his two siblings, Aaron and Miriam, play a critical leadership role. The Book of Numbers...

Light of Torah
Jul 8, 20223 min read


Christian-Jewish Relations - the Journey Continues
Tomorrow, in Australia, Catholics enter the Second Assembly of the Plenary Council (3-9 July 2022). It is a significant period of...

Light of Torah
Jul 2, 20221 min read


What was the sin of the spies?
The story of the scouts (or ‘spies’) in the book of Numbers (13:1-14:45) provides intriguing insights into the workings of community, of...

Light of Torah
Jun 23, 20223 min read


Spirit-filled prophets? Or just a couple of trouble-makers?
In order to assist Moses in the heavy task of leadership, the Lord instructs him (in Numbers 11:16-30) to gather seventy elders around...

Light of Torah
Jun 17, 20223 min read


A Conversation: Shavuot & Pentecost
Enjoy this video conversation between Jewish Educator Abe Schwarz and Catholic Scripture scholar Professor Mary Coloe pbvm, as they talk...

Light of Torah
Jun 3, 20221 min read


Shavuot . . . . Pentecost
This weekend, at sundown on 4 June 2022, Jewish communities commence the Jewish festival of Shavuot. Meanwhile, many Christians...

Light of Torah
Jun 3, 20225 min read


The 'walk' and 'work' of Torah
In the Book of Leviticus we read: If you follow my statutes and keep my commandments and observe them faithfully, I will give you your...

Light of Torah
May 27, 20223 min read


A Year of Rest for the Land
“The Lord spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai: Speak to the Israelite people and say to them: When you enter the land that I assign to you, the...

Light of Torah
May 13, 20223 min read


Be Holy!
"Holiness" is a familiar word, yet its meaning is complex and multi-layered. Leviticus 19 invites us to reflect on what it means to "be...

Light of Torah
May 6, 20223 min read


Resisting Enslavement
In both Jewish and Christian understandings, true freedom comes through living life in sync with the desires and designs of God for...

Light of Torah
Apr 29, 20223 min read


The nuances of festivity
I write this reflection during a week charged with religious festivity. Liturgically, my own Catholic community moves through the Octave...

Light of Torah
Apr 22, 20225 min read


A Night Remembered
For many Christians, the celebration of the Easter Triduum begins tonight (Holy Thursday, 14 April 2022). Meanwhile, Jewish communities...

Light of Torah
Apr 14, 20223 min read


Motherhood, Birth, and Ritual Purity in the Bible
This week’s Torah reading comes from the Book of Leviticus where the theme of ritual purity draws the attention of Jewish commentators....

Light of Torah
Apr 1, 20225 min read


Two sons of Aaron . . . and a ritual that went terribly wrong
Join us in an imaginative, insightful approach to an intriguing and disturbing biblical story, with the help of traditional Jewish...

Light of Torah
Mar 25, 20224 min read


The many shades of Thanksgiving
Once again, we explore a passage of the Hebrew Scriptures that we might not ordinarily dwell upon as Christians. As we shall see, even...

Light of Torah
Mar 18, 20223 min read


Divine presence in a construction site?
Many Christians find it somewhat intimidating to read those parts of the Hebrew Scriptures that are filled with repetitive ritual detail....

Light of Torah
Mar 4, 20223 min read


Moses, God, and the Blessing of a Robust Prayer Life
This week we explore an episode of 'straight talk' between God and Moses in chapter 32 of the Book of Exodus. The Golden Calf episode is...

Light of Torah
Feb 18, 20223 min read


Sacred Light
Have you have ever found your eyes glaze over at a seemingly tedious passage of ritual instruction in the Old Testament? This week's...

Light of Torah
Feb 11, 20223 min read


Ancient Insights Speak to Us Today
“And let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8). Having received the Torah at Mt Sinai, in Exodus 25 the...

Light of Torah
Feb 4, 20224 min read


CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME
This week, we explore a brief excerpt from an ancient legal text through the eyes of Jewish interpreters. It is from Exodus 22. Right...

Light of Torah
Jan 29, 20223 min read
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