Torah Thoughts on Parashat Beshalach 5781
Freedom
Rabbi Rami Pavolotzky
This week we read parashat Beshalach. The first verse of this parasha reads, “Now when Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although it was nearer; for God said, “The people may have a change of heart when they see war and return to Egypt” (Exodus 13:17).
Torah Thoughts: Parashat Bo 5781
Storytelling as a Tool for Shaping Identity, Sharing Meaningful Messages and Healing Deep Wounds
B”H
Rabbi Daniela Szuster
It is written at the beginning of this week’s parashah: “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh. For I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his courtiers, in order that I may display these My signs among them, and that you may recount in the hearing of your sons and of your sons’ sons how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and how I displayed My signs among them—in order that you may know that I am the Lord.” (Sh’mot 10:1-2)
Friends, welcome to the 13th issue of our Newsletter.
We start the new year with the hope a solution will be found to destroy to the pandemic causing havoc around the world. Despite the continued lockdown, with travel and socialising forbidden, fortunately we are able to continue a lot of our Czech Scrolls work remotely, with the benefit of modern technology.
Torah Thoughts: Parashat Vaera 5781
Rabbi Rami Pavolotzky
Be Yourself!
It is told about the great rabbi Chaim de Sanz (Sanz, Poland, 1793–1876, a famous Hasidic Rabbi and the founder of the Sanz Hasidic dynasty, and one of the leaders of Eastern European Jewry in his generation) that he once received the visit of a young rabbi. Rabbi Chaim asked the young visitor who he was. The visitor answered, “I am the grandson of the famous Rabbi so and so, who is well known in many countries. Rabbi Chaim replied, “I asked you who you were, and not who your grandfather was.”
Torah Thoughts: Parashat Sh’mot 5781
Posted on January 6, 2021
Who is a Good Leader?
B”H
Rabbi Daniela Szuster
If you read a book about leadership, what important key points would you find about being a good leader?
You may find that leaders are born into leadership because of their innate gifts. Some theories stress the motivations of leaders to lead. Other theories stress the powers of persuasion and the gift of popularity.
Besides this, you will find that to be an effective leader, you should be confident enough to ensure that others follow your commands. In addition, a good leader should be a good communicator. Words have the power to motivate people and make them do the unthinkable.