Voices of WRJ

This weekly blog series, published on Fridays, features insights from WRJ leaders on the Torah portions from a women's perspective. Enhance your Torah learning and understanding by adding Voices to your reading list.

Voices for WRJ: Parashat Va-eira

by Ellen Petracco The second reading from the book of Exodus and fourteenth reading from the Torah is named Va’eira, which means “And I appeared.” The title comes from the first words of the second verse of the reading, which says, “And I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as God Almighty (Exodus 6:3).” The portion begins with four expressions of redemption whereby God promises to bring Israel out of the Egyptian bondage. The narrative progresses to tell the story of the first seven of the 10 plagues that God unleashed on Egypt.
Voices of WRJ

Voices for WRJ: Parashat Sh’mot

by Adrian Modansky Good wishes for a healthy and happy 2013! Aren’t we fortunate to be able to celebrate two new years? We have the opportunity to make two new beginnings!
Voices of WRJ

Voices for WRJ: Parashat Va-y’chi

by Connie Kreshtool This week’s Torah portion Va-y’chi (“and he lived”) concludes the Book of Genesis and relates the final years and death of Jacob, the last of the patriarchs.  After living in Egypt for 17 years, Jacob realizes that he will soon die and tells Joseph that he wishes to be buried with his ancestors in the Cave of Machpelah. He also tells Joseph that he will consider Jacob’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, to be like his own first-born, Reuben and Simeon. Jacob proceeds to bless Ephraim and Manasseh by placing his right hand upon the younger Ephraim and his left hand upon Manasseh, which repeats the biblical theme of the younger son taking precedence over the older son.
Voices of WRJ

Voices of WRJ: Parashat Vayigash

by Rabbi Stanley M. Davids It will happen precisely at 6:12 a.m. today: The Winter Solstice. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, this will be the earliest start of the winter season since 1896! The sun’s path is at its southernmost point, and things are going to get a lot colder before the spring warm-up begins.
Voices of WRJ

Voices of WRJ: Parashat Mikeitz

Sara B. Charney

Today is a very busy and light-filled day in the Hebrew calendar. How fortunate and blessed we are to have so much light adorn our homes, first with the lighting of the sixth candle of Hanukkah and then with the welcoming of Shabbat by lighting her candles, especially since it now gets dark in the late afternoon.

Voices of WRJ