Random Reflections Reflections on Random Torah Verses Contradiction In Ki Tisa: Stiff-Necked Appeasers September 14, 2017 Sherry Oz No Comments We were supposed to be dead. If the Holocaust did not finish us off, the Arabs should have done us in. But we won war after war, each of which…
Random Reflections Reflections on Random Torah Verses Torah Ambivalence Toward Rape – Deuteronomy 21:10-14 December 3, 2015 Sherry Oz No Comments The Torah seems to sanction rape as an unfortunate natural urge in the human male. Upon what do I base this horrid statement? Do contemporary rabbinic scholars make any attempt…
Random Reflections Reflections on Random Torah Verses Passover: the 10th Plague & Protecting Our Kids November 26, 2015 Sherry Oz No Comments The story of Passover has many lessons in it – lessons for all times and all places and all contexts. I would like to share something I gleaned from my…
Random Reflections Reflections on Random Torah Verses Psychotherapy Can Be a Religious Experience – Joel 2:12 November 20, 2015 Sherry Oz No Comments What does the practice of psychotherapy have to do with faith in God? Metaphorically, a lot. Listen to this poetic entreat given by Joel: “Rend your heart and not your…
Random Reflections Reflections on Random Torah Verses Three Refuge Cities – Deuteronomy 4:41-49 – Part II November 13, 2015 Sherry Oz No Comments In last week’s blog, I discussed interpersonal aspects of having refuge cities to which unintentional perpetrators of manslaughter could run for protection. In this post I will reflect on the…
Random Reflections Reflections on Random Torah Verses Three Refuge Cities – Deuteronomy 4:41-49 – Part I November 5, 2015 Sherry Oz No Comments Torah Judaism is not far from Judaism’s tribal roots and Deuteronomy 4:41-49 shows this up quite clearly. This verse talks about three refuge towns on the east side of the…
Random Reflections Reflections on Random Torah Verses Enemies of the Jews – Parashat Va’ethannan: Deuteronomy 7:1-11 October 29, 2015 Sherry Oz No Comments This passage, the last part of Parashat Va’ethannan, bothered me and I struggled with the implications of taking the words literally. These lines relate to how following the commandments (mitzvot…
Random Reflections Reflections on Random Torah Verses Kashrut From a Place Other Than Fear and Disgust – Leviticus 11:1-47 October 23, 2015 Sherry Oz No Comments I grew up respecting the laws of kashrut, and have accepted an explanation that says that distinguishing between the animals Jews can eat and those that are forbidden differentiates the…
Random Reflections Reflections on Random Torah Verses What if Esau Had Received His Rightful Blessing? (Genesis 27:1-30) October 16, 2015 Sherry Oz No Comments What happens when people try to influence the place they will have in history or the place they think is rightfully theirs? What happens when mothers try to influence the…
Random Reflections Reflections on Random Torah Verses Descendants of Esau and Jacob: Naming Names and Telling Tales (Genesis 36:1-43) October 9, 2015 Sherry Oz No Comments In psychotherapy, it is generally proposed that the beginning of coping consists of naming the problem or issue with which one is having difficulties. But giving a name is insufficient.…