Vayechi and the Importance of Family Forgiveness

Sharing with you all my video message for Hanukkah 2016. Light can push away darkness

Today's lesson comes from the Torah Portion Vayechi - Genesis 47:28 - 50:26. This is the last Torah portion in the book of Genesis and today's lesson focuses on the importance of forgiving family.

Hello my name is Sandra Lawson and I am a rabbi to be. Welcome to my new Podcast. This Podcast grew out of my Torah Lessons on Snapchat and Instagram. It‘s a work in progress and has grown out of my love for Torah Like a lot of things I do, I just jump in with both feet. So welcome and I look forward to learning with you.

This is the first Shabbat of 2017. We are in the Torah Portion of Vayigash which means to draw near or to come close. My friend and Rabbi Yael Levy called it the Shabbat of approaching. We are approaching this year with a lot of certainty and as we approach this year and draw it near if we open our hearts to love, forgiveness and God's plan

My last Torah message for 2016. This week we have been reading from the Torah portion Mikeitz, continuing the Joseph story. Joseph is the boy who dared to dream who turned into a man who was able to interpret dreams. As we move into 2017 my message is to never be afraid to dream. In our society we sometimes discourage those. who call themselves dreamers but to have the courage to dream for a better future, there is nothing wrong with that. On this last night of Hanukkah Chag Sameach Happy New Year and may you be blessed in 2017