Power Parsha

Shemot: The Birthplace of the Jewish People?

“In the Land of Israel the Jewish people arose.” Ben-Gurion read these words as he declared the establishment of the State of Israel. Yet Parshat Shemot suggests that the Jewish people were, in fact, born in Egypt. Exploring this seeming contradiction offers insight into how Jewish identity and peoplehood have been defined, then and now.…

Power Parsha

Vayechi: Israel-Diaspora Relations

Parshat Vayechi opens and closes with moving deathbed scenes of Yaakov and Yosef, each making final requests regarding their burial. The contrasts between these moments offer a lens for envisioning ideal Israel-Diaspora relations. Yaakov makes his request to be buried with his forefathers in Canaan twice – first to Yosef and then to his other…

Power Parsha

Vayigash: Resolving Family Discord

Vayigash teaches us how to resolve deep discord. For more than twenty years, Yehuda and Yosef represent a family torn apart by conflict, resentment, and estrangement. They remain divided until this moment, when reconciliation finally becomes possible. Yehuda now steps into his role as a leader, and Yosef rises above the pain of the past…

Power Parsha

Miketz: An End to the Darkness

The contrast between the beauty of Jews celebrating the first night of Hanukkah on Bondi Beach and the horrific acts that followed compels us to ask: how do we respond to such darkness? Joseph, too, in Parshat Miketz, is immersed in darkness – thrown into a pit, brought down to Egypt, and forgotten in prison…

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About Me

I’m Karen Miller Jackson, a certified Matan Morah l’Halakha, Jewish educator and writer. Welcome to my blog which provides Torah from a woman’s perspective for modern, busy people. To subscribe via email please sign up or by whatsapp here: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CKLpCygJaBf20sKbNmRV1u