A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: VA’EIRA (EXODUS 6:2-9:35)

By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant   Last week’s Torah parsha, Shemot, ended with Moses and Aaron both discouraged, as the Pharaoh of Egypt denied their request to free the enslaved Israelites. This week’s parsha, Va’eira, describes with precise detail, the first seven of the ten plagues which would eventually decimate all of Egypt. A […]

Jane’s Kitchen: Pampushky (Ukrainian Garlic Bread Rolls)

Servings: 8    FOR THE DOUGH: 1 cup (250 ml) milk or dairy free milk  2¼ tsps (1 packet) active dry yeast  2 tablespoons sugar  2 tablespoons oil (sunflower, avocado, or olive)  3 cups (380 g) all-purpose flour  2 teaspoons salt  1 egg, beaten    FOR THE GARLIC OIL: 3 tablespoons oil (sunflower, avocado, or […]

A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: SHEMOT (EXODUS 1:1-6:1)

By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant   The opening chapters of Exodus plunge us into a midst of epic events. Moses passes from Prince of Egypt, to Midianite shepherd, to leader of the Israelites. The narrative begins with a new Pharaoh of Egypt, “who did not know of Joseph” (1). However, the descendants of Jacob […]

A ‘BISSEL’ OF TORAH: VAYECHI (GENESIS 44:28-50:26)

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 his father and all of their wives and children to Egypt. The brothers were both […]

A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: VAYIGASH (GENESIS 44:18-47:27)

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 Egypt’ (now, their brother Joseph, whom they did not recognize), they were also to bring […]