Rabbi Lauren Tuchman

Tag: Exodus

  • Meeting Ourselves Tenderly: A commentary for Parashat Va’era

    I am honored to share a piece for this week’s parsha, Va’era, that I wrote for the Disability Torah Project, a beautiful initiative sharing disability Torah for parshiyot and holidays. My piece, Meeting Ourselves Tenderly, explores the impact of internalized ableism on people with disabilities and our loved ones and friends. It…

  • Vayakhel 5779

    This drasha was delivered at Beth El Hebrew Congregation in Alexandrea, VA, March 1, 2019/25 Adar I, 5779 Shabbat shalom! It is my honor and privilege to be with you this Shabbat. I wish to thank the Beth El Hebrew Congregation Inclusion committee as well as Rabbi Spinrad and Cantor…

  • Terumah 5779

    This drash was delivered at Congregation Beth El in Bethesda, Maryland. Parashat Terumah 5779 4 Adar Rishon, 5779 Shabbat shalom! It is a real honor and privilege to be with you all today on this Shabbat in which we lift up, honor and celebrate Jews with disabilities and all that…

  • Mishpatim 5779

    This commentary was written for the Avodah Jewish Service Corps in 5779/2019. Mishpatim, our Torah portion for this week, consists of a series of miscelaneous laws covering a wide array of subject matter, everything from the laws of owning slaves (an incredibly important conversation to dig into though that is…

  • Terumah 5776

    This drash was originally delivered at Congregation Beth Israel in Worcester, Massachusetts on February 13, 2016. Shabbat shalom!!! Thank you so much for having me in your community this Shabbat. It is such an honor and a privilege to be with you. This morning, I am going to be speaking…

  • Reasonable Accommodations Are A Torah Value

    The Book of Exodus introduces us to Moshe, our tradition’s greatest prophet and teacher, who many understand to be a person who lived with a speech disability. In Exodus 4:10-16, G-d informs Moshe that he will lead the Children of Israel out of Egypt—from slavery to freedom. Moshe balks at…

  • Parashat Vaera 5779

    Written as part of my work as Ruach Avodah for Washington, DC. This week’s Torah portion, Parashat Va’era, the second Torah portion in the book of Exodus opens with a divine encounter between Moses and God, in which God tells Moses that God has heard the cries of the Children…