Reading Torah Through Grief

This Torah portion reminds us to appreciate the mundane moments.

In Moses and Jethro, we can see a model of transformational relationships ⁠— and losses.

Our loved ones may physically pass on, but like Joseph, their presence reverberates in us and in the generations to come.

We can learn from Moses when we are forced to take an unprecedented journey through grief.

God knows we need to question God, as Moses did centuries ago.

Like the characters in this Torah portion, we can fill the vacant roles left by our loss and grow into new ones.

“May God make you like Ephraim and Menashe” (Genesis 48:20). Parents routinely offer this blessing on Shabbat at the Friday night dinner ...

Joseph shows us how to exit the emotional labyrinth of grief by embracing forgiveness over blame.

We can choose how we respond to situations over which we have no control.

Experiencing loss can enable us to better relate to the pain of others.

Jacob’s courage shows that by facing our fears, we can overcome them and move forward.

While grief is an inherently lonely and individual journey, we need not experience it alone.