Patricia Chen
Author's posts
Sep 14
Dance
Weekly Torah Portions: Nitzavim / Vayailech 23 Elul 5777 – September 14, 2017 Selichos prayers begin Saturday night At the very end of our leader Moshe’s life, G-d commanded him to write “The song of Torah,” and to teach it to the children of Israel. Our Sages tell us that Moshe wrote 13 Torah scrolls, …
Sep 11
Answered
(Torah Portion Vayailech ) Answered! Because Avinu Malkainu is recited on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, the most popular days for Synagogue attendance, we are all familiar with the prayer of ‘Avinu Malkainu’ and inspired by the tune sung to the last stanza. Let’s explain the Avinu Malkainu prayer and trace and examine its source. …
Sep 10
Extra Time
(Torah Portion Noach ) Extra Time! Lemech was the ninth generation after creation. His son, who was the tenth generation, was named Noach. The Torah tells us that this name was prophetically inspired, for the name Noach means relief and was an indication that Noach would bring relief to society. Our Sages tell us that …
Sep 08
TRAVEL ITINERARY
(Torah Portion Bechukosai) Travel Itinerary! When the Jews were freed from Egypt they traveled for seven days until they came to the Red Sea. The sea split for them and the Egyptians drowned bringing the Egyptian rule over the Jews to its conclusion. For the next six weeks the Jews traveled toward Mount Sinai where …
Sep 08
A RARE FIGHT
(Torah Portion Vayishlach) A Rare Fight! The night before Yaacov encountered his hateful and distant brother Aisav, Yaacov found himself alone with the angel who represented Aisav. The Torah describes that the two struggled throughout the night until daybreak. Although Yaacov became injured during the scuffle, he was able to overpower and pin down the …
Sep 08
Chanukah Noticing the Good
(Torah Portion Miketz/Chanukah) Noticing the Good! Reuven, the first born of the tribes, once meddled into his father’s personal matters. Because of this infraction the first- born entitlement was stripped from Reuven and transferred to Yosef, the first born son of Yaccov’s wife Rachel. Reuven also thought that because of this wrongdoing he had lost …
Sep 08
Sextuplets
(Torah Portion Vayigash) Sextuplets! After our forefather Yaacov received the heartwarming and wonderful news that his son Yosef was still alive, he along with his family moved from Israel to settle in Egypt. He moved in order that Yosef could support his family during the remaining five years that were predicted for the famine. …
Sep 08
Executive Order
(Torah Portion Vayechi) Executive Order! The story is told of a man who died leaving over a large estate without writing a will. His three sons began the process of trying to figure out what their father’s intentions were concerning who should receive what. After a few days one of the sons tells his …