The first seder was eaten in danger — sandals on, staff in hand, ready to flee. This year, that detail requires less imagination than usual.

A perpetual fire, the Torah says, shall not go out. But perpetual doesn't mean self-sustaining. Someone has to show up and lay the wood.

The parsha about Jacob's death is named "And He Lived." Somewhere along the Gaza fence, a rubber duck is squeaking. Both things are true at once.

Joseph told his brothers: come forward to me. The whole parsha runs on that verb. This week in Israel, we came.

The Torah commands joy — but only after you've named the suffering. Ki Tavo says bring what you have, recite where you've been, and then rejoice.

A dead stick left overnight produces almonds by morning. After the Torah's worst fracture, the answer isn't argument — it's showing up first.