Like Water for Torah

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About the Title

When I first saw the movie “Like Water for Chocolate,” I wasn’t sure what the phrase meant. In my mind, being like “water for chocolate” means that you want chocolate so badly that you want it as if it were a necessity like water. It is something akin to a thirst or desire. So when I thought of the phrase “Like Water for Torah,” it evoked in me the feeling of passion for Torah learning. According to my research recently, the phrase is actually based on a Spanish saying. The saying can be interpreted in two ways. One way refers to a person being like boiling water which is ready to receive cocoa to make hot chocolate. This explanation is similar to my original interpretation because it is suggestive of being ready in an excited way to receive richness (of chocolate, or in this case, Torah). Another use of this phrase in Spanish speaking countries is to describe someone who is angry. Whether the teachings of our tradition make me feel love for the Torah-- or sometimes make me angry-- the teachings always leaving me wanting to learn more. It is my hope to pass on this passion to you.

Like Water for Torah

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Posts

Parashat Toldot: Who are you to play G-d?

Parashat Vayera: The Messiah’s roots in illicit sexual relationships

Parashat Pinchas: Leading People One at a Time

Parashat Balak: Choosing to Believe

Parashat Chukat: Holy and Broken

How Parashat Korach is a Lesson in Civil Discourse

Shavuot: Forging our own path, like Naomi

Parashat Tazria, Brit Milah, and Yom Hazikaron/ Yom Ha'atzmaut

The Sound of Silence: Parashat Acharei Mot and Yom HaShoah

How parashat mishpatim led me to learn more about sex-trafficking than I ever wanted to know

Parashat Yitro - Many Voices/ One G-d

Parashat Bo - The Plague of Darkness