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Sep 28, 2021, 8:06 PM

Blessings come from Yearning and Investigation

Allegorically, Moshe represents our ability to draw out particular things from a midst the many stirring things encountered in experience.1 Aharon, represents our ability to repetitively bring things in experience to light.2 As his brother, Aharon (the repetitively bringing...

Sep 15, 2021, 11:16 PM

When Driving Straight Veers off from its Focus

In the previous parashah, the song to be sung in Ha’azinu was repeatedly referred to as “this song.” Allegorically haShyR haZot (השיר הזאת this song) represents “what is to be fixed upon that is clearly apparent.” The song is...

Sep 9, 2021, 8:15 AM

Maintaining a Steady Gaze When Flailing About

Moshe (משה), representing our ability to draw out particular things from a midst the many stirring things encountered in experience,1 directs an abundance of information - what beckons2 and doubly bears down3 of things being imposed4 in experience (120...

Sep 2, 2021, 9:07 AM

Nitsavim – By Applying Yourself, Firmly You Stand

Throughout Torah, the word haMaQoM (המקום) refers to a vaguely defined destination to which HaShem will eventually lead the people. In hindsight, we know that haMaQoM (המקום) represents Canaan, Jerusalem and the temple mount; but these places are not...

Aug 26, 2021, 10:53 AM

Coming into what HaShem Selects for each of Us

When you come into the disposing of oneself (land)1 to experience that God’s bringing forth of existence (Y-H-W-H), God’s guidance being presented to you in experience (Elohim),2 is giving you, you shall take up from the seeing (ראשית)3 of...

Aug 19, 2021, 10:31 AM

Ki Taetsae Striving to Go out so as to Engage Life

A life well lived is a life full of striving, of facing challenges, both external and internal. External challenges appear mightier than our perceived abilities; while internal challenges appear to undermine our true strengths. How a person approaches either...

Aug 12, 2021, 8:31 AM

Shophtim – Clarification through a Well-aimed Gaze

Virtue signaling aside, “righteousness, righteousness – you shall pursue” is one of my favorite lines of Torah. Nevertheless, from an allegorical perspective the word TseDeQ (צדק) actually means to be particular in making observations.1 God’s bringing forth of existence...

Aug 5, 2021, 10:27 AM

R’aeh – The Imperative to Truly See

The word G’rizim (גרזים) alludes to acts of repeatedly drawing into something1 - as an ax (גרזן GaRZen) repeatedly drives into wood and as a person repeatedly draws into something for greater understanding. On the other hand, the word...

Jul 29, 2021, 9:38 AM

Aeqev – Consequences

The word mishpat (משפט) is a declaration made by a shophaet (judge) that provides clarification and instruction. However, when used allegorically, mishpatim represent declarations rationally deduced from God’s bringing forth of existence (Y-H-W-H) and God’s guidance being presented in...

Jul 22, 2021, 11:19 AM

Being Present and Presenting Oneself to HaShem

Literally meaning a continuous accumulation of water, the river called the Yardaen signifies a continuous accumulation of things from experience. Moshe, as the mental faculty drawing out particular things from a midst the many stirring things encountered in experience,...

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About Me

David Kolinsky is a retired physician born and raised in Monsey, New York. While living in Monterey California, David initially lived as a secular, agnostic Jew. However, in his spare time, he delved into twenty years of daily study of Hebrew etymology and Torah study culminating in the writing of an etymological dictionary of Biblical Hebrew and a metaphorical translation of Torah. Abandoning his agnostic views, David was simultaneously a spiritual leader of the world's smallest conservative synagogue, a teacher in his local reform synagogue, and a gabbai at Chabad. He is currently sheltering in place with his family in his new home in Plano, Texas.