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Reflections on the Passover Seder for 2025
This year, we invited different BINA educators to share their reflections on different parts of the Passover seder. Each educator chose a different passage from the Haggadah and shared their thoughts on the passage, reflecting on personal experiences and contemporary realities. We invite you to explore these reflections to add meaning to your seder or Passover holiday. […]
A Nest of My Prayers – Parashat Vayakhel | Ran Oron
Who is “the angel who has redeemed me”? Is it the same angel with whom Jacob wrestled, before earning the name Israel? Did he miss or remember him? How will the angel bless the boys from all evil? And why the Divine Presence does not allow Israel to foresee the future of his loved ones? […]
Parashat Ki Tisa: Leadership, Freedom, and the Golden Calf
Parashat Ki Tisa presents one of the most dramatic moments in the Torah—the sin of the Golden Calf. In this pivotal event, two leaders stand before us—Moses and Aaron—each embodying a different style of leadership, each with a distinct perspective on the relationship between a leader and the people. […]
Parashat Vayechi – Jacob’s New Angel | Ran Oron
Who is “the angel who has redeemed me”? Is it the same angel with whom Jacob wrestled, before earning the name Israel? Did he miss or remember him? How will the angel bless the boys from all evil? And why the Divine Presence does not allow Israel to foresee the future of his loved ones? […]
Study Guide: Limmud to Commemorate October 7
As we commemorate October 7, we hope this study guide will provide you with some helpful tools (to use on your own or in a group) for learning, exploration, reflection, connection and peace. […]
Like a Flute Accompanying the Singing – Parshat Va’etchanan | Ran Oron
At the beginning of the parasha Moses tells the nation how God refused to hear him. Later he will ask them to hear and listen to him, he will repeat the Ten Commandments to them and remind the people in front of him how their hearts did not have enough faith and love to hear and listen to God. Their disbelief, causing him to be a mediator before God for forty years in the desert, exhausted him. […]
Perseverance and Endurance – Marcie Yoselevsky
The long days of summer have somehow added up to short months and we are approaching a year since the events of October 7. In the midst of this time of tension and pain, we encounter Tisha B’Av. Marcie shares her reflections on Tisha B’Av and how the day feels this year. […]
Sorrow & Hope: A Study Guide for Tisha B’Av and Tu B’Av
In this complicated time, we hope this study guide will provide you with some helpful tools (to use on your own or in a group) for learning, exploration, reflection, connection and peace. […]
The Garden Was There. Not Eden – Parashat Shelach
Spies or messengers? Full of promise or impending disaster? In this week’s parasha, BINA guest writer Ran Oron explores the story of those sent ahead to gather information on the promised land. How do we understand the message of their story in their time and in ours? […]
Your people are our people and we are your people: Article for Shavuot / Gili Dvash Yeshurun
Gili Dvash Yeshurun takes a look at Megillat Ruth and sees the parallel between Ruth’s experience finding her footing as a displaced person and how her community helps her gain a sense of belonging. This Shavuot, how will holiday celebration traditions be maintained, evolve, or change? […]
My Mother Baked the Whole World For Me – Parshat Emor
My parents’ house in Omer. Every Shabbat evening my grandmother would light Shabbat candles on the tea cart that stood between the kitchen and the dining room. Perfumed. Her white hair combed back. She brought her palms together, covered her face. Closed her eyes and blessed. The house became silent. Listened. […]
Parshat Shmini -A Silent Minute for the Bird
Parashat Shmini is named after the day on which the dedication of the Tabernacle reached its climax. After a week of precise and detailed preparations, Aaron and his sons bring the divine presence into the Tabernacle. At that height of the moment, a great tragedy occurs. The young priests Nadab and Abihu, the two chosen sons of Aaron the priest, sin in forbidden work and disobey the laws of the sacred service. They are punished for their actions and die. […]
God Is In The Details – Parshat “Tetzaveh”
“Torah shows us that the truth, both the divine and ours, is found in our faith in the power of the connection of opposites.” This week’s parashah explores the power in the connection of opposites. Ran Oron, reminds us that “In these days of turmoil in our hearts we must insist on the power of connection.” […]
Tips for the IDF Reservist After 126 Days at War By Yuval Linden
What a series of intense, wild events! Every time that you think things are calming down and you’ll have … […]
And he said to the people, “Be ready for the third day: [the men among] you should not go near a woman.” Exodus 19:15
Ayala Deckel, Head of the BINA Secular Yeshiva, reflects on In this week’s portion, Yitro, we reach a dramatic moment in our formation as a people: receiving the Ten Commandments – the value base of our nation, our moral compass… […]
What We Can Learn From Miriam About Leadership During Times of Crisis
BINA contributor and supporter, Ran Oron, discusses what we can learn about leadership from Miriam during the exodus of Israelites from Egypt in this week’s Torah portion. […]
On the Hardening and Strengthening of Hearts | Parshat Vaera | Elliot Vaisrub Glasenberg
What can we learn from the story of Pharaoh and the hardening of his heart in our day and time? Read more in this week’s edition of BINA’s commentary on the weekly Torah portion, this time by BINA educator Elliot Vaisrub Glassenberg on Parashat Vaera >>> […]
These Are the Names – Parashat Shemot | Ayala Deckel
Ayala Deckel, Head of the BINA Secular Yeshiva, reflects on the connections between this week’s Torah portion – Parashat Shemot (which literally means “Names”), and the names and stories of the the fallen and the captives in the Israel-Gaza war. Click to read this week’s edition of BINA’s commentary on the weekly Torah Portion >>> […]
“All human actions are founded upon dreams and their end too is a dream”* | Parashat Miketz
In this week’s edition of BINA’s commentary on Parashat Hashavua (the weekly Torah portion), Nir Braudo, Executive Director of BINA, explores what we can learn from the Joseph story as we dream and work for the release of those held captive in Gaza. Shabbat Shalom. […]
The measure of heroism and the measure of kindness || Yuval Linden
Yuval Linden describes his experience with the historical debate of “Do we light a menorah according to Shamai or Hillel?” We invite you to read and see how this age-old debate played out in a modern way, and what was the final decision of Yuval’s army unit was on how to light their menorah this Hanukkah. […]
