Vayetzei ויצא
Dvar Torah written by Rabbi Ronnie Cahana
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Rabbi Ronnie Cahana
Swedish-born and US-raised, educated, and ordained, Rabbi Ronnie Cahana enjoyed an international rabbinate, serving pulpits in Bolivia, Sweden, USA and Canada before becoming Congregation Beth-El’s rabbi in 2001 and now serving as the SZBE Rabbi Emeritus. A lifelong activist, Rabbi Cahana earned a Swedish Peace Prize for co-founding the Nordic Center for Inter-religious Dialogue and for his peace mission during the Bosnian War, and he is also a 2012 recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal “for significant contribution to Canada”. Since his stroke in 2011, Rabbi Cahana has devoted his free-time to writing divrei Torah for the AMEN Institute, poetry for his blog, and he’s currently working on a series, called Locked-Down Poetry, for which he received a Canada Council Arts Grant.
His poetry and sermons can be found here: https://rabbicahana.wordpress.com
Mordechai Edel - Jacob’s Dream
Jacob’s Dream explores the exchange of gifts given when Jacob encountered G-d’s angels. The rock that he lays on expands to four structures: a Sukkah, an Almond Tree, a Celestial Ladder and the Holy Temple. We are invited to imagine the cacophony of construction, blessings and transformations woven between the music and shofar blasts of the angelic chorus. Though Jacob has taken repose from his current journey, this dream shows the full arc and completion of many journeys to come. Mordechai's vision is an invitation to dream and paint a world of joy together.
Discussion Questions:
1. What are the gifts that the angels give Jacob and what are they given in return?
2. What processes of metamorphosis and symbols can you detect as you progress upward in the painting? What could be the significance of these transformations?
3. Why is it only in resting that Jacob is able to envision the journey of the Jewish people?
4. Mordechai Edel spells out the word סולם, ladder, using the symbols of the Sukkah, an Almond Tree, Ladder and Temple. Why do you think he chose these four in particular?
Mordechai Edel
At a young age in England, Mordechai Edel studied Monet & Chagall techniques under the tutelage of Impressionist artist, Andre Drucker. His works are inspired by biblical, spiritual and kabbalistic themes and often have a dream-like quality. He met his wife, Annie, while singing in the Israel's National Opera and they have since moved to Vancouver, Canada. Harmoniously, they endeavour to draw from G-d’s original creations, transforming life’s challenges into painted “Artidote" blessings of hope & joy for One and all!
Follow his work here: https://www.edelartworks.com/about--news.html