Parashat Vayigash 5781 by Meir Sendor We got our first of two vaccinations against the virus this week. It was the first day of the vaccination program here in Tzfat, and it had a kind of giddy, festive atmosphere. All…
Don’t Say Water, Water
Parashat VaYetze 5781 by Meir Sendor בראשית פרק לב פסוק ב פסוק ג וְיַעֲקֹ֖ב הָלַ֣ךְ לְדַרְכּ֑וֹ וַיִּפְגְּעוּ־ב֖וֹ מַלְאֲכֵ֥י אֱלֹהִֽים: וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יַעֲקֹב֙ כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר רָאָ֔ם מַחֲנֵ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים זֶ֑ה וַיִּקְרָ֛א שֵֽׁם־הַמָּק֥וֹם הַה֖וּא מַֽחֲנָֽיִם: Yaakov went on his way, and angels of…
Choose Life
Parashat Nitzavim/ VaYelekh 5780 Meir Sendor You would think this would be an easy choice: דברים פרק ל (יט) העדתי בכם היום את השמים ואת הארץ החיים והמות נתתי לפניך הברכה והקללה ובחרת בחיים למען תחיה אתה וזרעך: I…
Hard Knocks
Parashat Ki Tavo 5780 Meir Sendor Last week we got together with family for an outing before the grandchildren return to school in this challenging time of pandemic. We met at one of the national archeological parks that we figured…
New Normal
On Tuesday nights, August 25, September 1, 8, 15; 8PM Israel time The month of Elul, in preparation for Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot, is dedicated to introspective self-improvement, and there are traditional Jewish meditation practices that can be…
The Key to Our Hearts
Parashat Ekev 5780 Meir Sendor This week we celebrated the birthdays of two of our grandchildren and son with an intercontinental family video gathering at the Bagel & Locks Israel Quest. This is an interactive Israeli website featuring virtual journeys…
Where Art Thou?
Parashat Devarim, Shabbat Hazon 5780 Meir Sendor The Mishnah says “When the month of Av enters, decrease joyfulness (Ta’anit 4:6)” This year it won’t be much of a stretch to get in the mood – but will we get the…
The Sky’s the Limit
Parashat Matot-Masei 5780 Meir Sendor Here in Israel not quite everyone is getting the point about the restrictions intended to protect us all from the pandemic. You often see masks worn as chin straps, earrings or bracelets, odd fashion accessories.…
Fast Times
Parashat Pinchas 5780 Meir Sendor The fast of the Seventeenth of Tammuz this Thursday starts the three weeks of mourning for the destruction of the Temples and the two thousand year exile from the Land of Israel, our homeland, an…
Bless this Mess
Parashat Balak 5780 Meir Sendor The other day a large snake slithered across a corner of our garden and disappeared behind a bush, possibly slipping into a crevice in the stone wall. We only got a quick glimpse. It was…
