Ariel Abel

1 month ago | jewishnews.co.uk | Ariel Abel |Louisa Walters

Oil – the second most sought after liquid on the planet, appears at the start of this week’s parasha, Teztaveh. “They shall take for you pure olive oil, crushed for lighting, to make the continuous flame rise.” Nowadays, we seek oil mostly to power mobility. Roads would be empty without the ‘black gold’ that enriches sheikhs and barons wherever they find it. The Torah’s oil is pressed from the olive – at first clear, then yellow-gold.

Nov 6, 2024 | jewishnews.co.uk | Ariel Abel |Louisa Walters

Go, find yourself! This phrase sticks in my mind since I reflected recently on a video presentation on theology and British Jewry by Miri Freud-Kandel and it is the meaning of this week’s parsha, Lech Lecha. The journey to find God is incomplete for Abram until he completes a journey to find himself. I use ‘Abram’ because until God renames him, that is what he is. Even his name is not complete. Or perhaps, his name is incomplete because he is.

Jul 1, 2024 | jewishnews.co.uk | Ariel Abel |Louisa Walters

Spying has long been a key method of succeeding in military missions. In the book of Joshua, resident Canaanites assisted the incoming Israelites in taking the city of Luz: “they showed them the [secret] entrance to the city” (Judges1: 23-26).

May 29, 2024 | jewishnews.co.uk | Ariel Abel |Louisa Walters

This week’s reading, Bechukotai, means ‘statutes’; it traces the direct relationship between Torah and fate. It does not make easy reading. The opening phrases detail what will go right if the people of Israel conduct themselves correctly before God. Many blessings follow for the people, the land upon which they live and its produce. But its also details the terrible times which will come upon the Israelites if they behave callously. Addressing us in the first person, God cuts a deal.

Mar 6, 2024 | jewishnews.co.uk | Ariel Abel

Vayakhel, the word signalling ‘gathering’ the people, launches the assembly of the Tabernacle in the desert with a short paragraph on keeping the Shabbat day holy. Part of this includes six days of labour and earning one’s keep, which gives meaning to resting. Only work gives meaning to rest. Conversely, rest is a function of work.