TORAH [Teaching/Tale]: In this week’s Torah portion, Va’yishlach, Jacob begins by naming the place Mahanayim [twin camps]. He divides his family into two camps out of fear, fear that his brother Esau wishes to exact revenge upon Jacob for stealing his birthrite and blessing. If one camp is attacked, perhaps the other will survive. He seems resigned to conflict and loss. If a “casting off” [va’yishlach] is required for Jacob and his family to be able to ford this river, ho

Boots on feet. Shovel in hand. Crunch of snow underfoot. Scrape of shovel blade on cement. Exertions exhaled on the breath. The steady rhythm of set, step, push, lift, toss, turn and traverse the space settles mind and time into a stillness that sings until the job is done. Moving from the driveway to clear the walk to the front door, the sun peeks ‘round rounded peaks to the East. The expansive stretch of new day dawns on me. Pristine white snows hug the trunks of deep gree