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. […]
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. […]
"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." […]
What a series of intense, wild events! Every time that you think things are calming down and you'll have […]
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… […]
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. […]
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 >>> […]
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 >>> […]
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. […]
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. […]
