by Lauren Shaps | Nov 23, 2023 | Lauren Shaps, Vayeitzei, Weekly Parsha
Each one of us is a unique combination of body and soul, intellect and emotion. When we live our lives with awareness of the complex interplay between these aspects of ourselves, we can nourish each part to become a more complete human being. When we deny any part of...
by Lauren Shaps | Oct 26, 2023 | Israel, Lauren Shaps, Weekly Parsha
Our forefather Avraham was the paragon of chesed, kindness. He was the first outreach worker, spreading word of One G-d. His tent was open on all sides. He, together with his wife Sarah, excelled in the mitzvah of hachnasat orchim, hosting...
by Lauren Shaps | Sep 28, 2023 | Lauren Shaps, Sukkot
Rabbi Shaps and I were delighted to make a quick trip to New York to join the Simes and Vinitsky families in celebrating the Bar Mitzvah of Nochi Simes. As many of you will recall, Rabbi Yehuda Simes and his wife Shaindel moved to Ottawa to share their love of Torah...
by Lauren Shaps | Aug 31, 2023 | Lauren Shaps, Weekly Parsha
I love the expression, “life is a journey.” This week’s parsha, Ki Tavo, also speaks of a journey. The parsha begins, “It will be that when you come into the land… .” The Torah continues to describe the special mitzvah of bringing...
