The Lehigh Valley's Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant “In the beginning of God’s creation of the heavens and earth, God said: “Let there be light; and, there was light” (1). The first Torah parsha of the Book of Genesis, Bereishit, is probably … Continued
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant In last week’s Torah Parsha (VAYIGASH), Joseph became overwhelmed with emotion, when he learned that his father, Jacob was still alive. He revealed his identity to his eleven brothers; and, urged them to bring … Continued
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant Last week’s Parsha (MIKIETZ) ended with a somewhat disturbing enigma. Jacob’s ten sons had returned to Egypt to procure additional food, as the famine continued. Based on the demand of the ‘Viceroy of … Continued
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant Twelve years pass, with Joseph still languishing in an Egyptian jail. Suddenly, he finds himself, not only free; but, also the ‘Viceroy’ of Egypt. The swiftness with which this change occurred was nothing short … Continued
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant For more than two decades, Jacob lived with the guilt and knowledge of his own iniquity, against both his brother, Esau; and, his beloved father, Isaac. In last week’s Torah Parsha (VAYISHLACH), we … Continued
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant In last week’s Parsha (VAYEITZEI), we read the convoluted and multifarious twenty years, which Jacob experienced, while living with his Uncle Laban. In Parsha (VAYISHLACH), with immense trepidation, Jacob follows God’s orders to return … Continued
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant This week’s Parsha (VAYEITZEI) begins with Jacob on the run from his family and home. Although, he leaves with his father, Isaac’s, birthright and blessing, these were obtained under false pretenses. His mother, Rebecca, … Continued
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant This week’s Parsha presents an ancestral tale, which haunts us with its theme of cunning and deception. As the narrative proceeds, we realize that each of the characters, presented in TOLDOT, is caught in … Continued
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant The translation of this week’s Torah Parsha (CHAYEI SARAH) is ‘The Life of Sarah’. Ironically, only the first two lines of the Parsha pertain to the death of Sarah; and, no other aspect of … Continued
By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant Towards the end of last week’s Parsha (LECH LECHA), we read of the supernatural birth of Isaac to Sarah and Abraham. At the time, Abraham was 100 years old; and Sarah was in her … Continued