Emunah, Song, and the Quiet Courage of Jewish Women  Rebbetzin Hannah Miryam Bejarano Gutierrez When Redemption Feels Unfinished⁣⁣ Parashat Beshalach (Shemot / Exodus 13:17–17:16) is often remembered for its most dramatic moments—the splitting of the Sea of Reeds, the Song of the Sea, and the defeat of Amalek. Yet beneath the spectacle lies a more intimate story: what happens after liberation, when the chains are gone but the heart still trembles.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ For Jewish women, espec

Rebbetzin Hannah Miryam Bejarano Gutierrez Parashat Bo (Exodus 10:1–13:16) marks a pivotal turning point in the Shemot narrative: the last plagues, the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart, the birth of the Korban Pesach, and the first mitzvot given to Klal Yisrael. For Jewish women this parashah offers deep lessons about leadership, faith, sanctification, and transformation.⁣⁣ At its core, Bo invites us to reflect on how we move from oppression to covenantal identity, how we shape h

by: Rebbetzin Hannah Miryam Bejarano Gutierrez ⁣-(Shemot / Exodus 6:2–9:35)⁣⁣ Parashat Va’era opens not with victory, but with endurance. The people of Israel are crushed by labor, Moshe feels rejected, and Pharaoh appears more powerful than ever. Yet it is precisely here—within pressure and concealment—that redemption begins to take shape. From a Sephardic perspective, Va’era emphasizes emunah peshutah (simple, steady faith), loyalty to mesorah, and the spiritual strength ca

Rebbetzin Hannah Miryam Bejarano Gutierrez Parashat Shemot opens not with miracles, but with names. “ Ve’eleh shemot bnei Yisrael —These are the names of the children of Israel who came to Egypt” (Shemot 1:1). The Torah could have simply said “the children of Israel,” yet it insists on listing names, reminding us that redemption begins with identity. For Jewish women, often carrying invisible labor and quiet strength, this opening affirms that no soul is anonymous in

Parashat Vayechi , the final portion in the Book of Genesis, is a rich tapestry of reflection, transition, and the spiritual inheritance of the Jewish people. It opens with Yaakov’s final days in Egypt , his blessings to his children, and culminates in his passing and burial in the Cave of Machpelah. For Jewish women, who often balance roles of nurturing, educating, and preserving the continuity of faith, Vayechi offers profound lessons on purpose, legacy, and spiritual resil

written by Rebbetzin Hannah Miryam Bejarano Gutierrez Parashat Toldot is a study of contrasts—light and shadow, silence and voice, destiny and free will. It is the story of a household where two nations stir within one womb (Bereishit 25:23), and where a spiritual lineage is secured not through dramatic miracles but through quiet, consistent choices. For Sephardic women who hold together the spiritual continuity of their families and communities, this parashah carries profoun

Parashat Chayei Sarah is paradoxical from its first words: “And the life of Sarah was…”—yet the opening lines recount her passing (Bereishit 23:1). Our Sages note this tension not to shock, but to reveal a deeper truth: a righteous woman’s impact becomes fully visible in how her presence continues even after she is physically gone. For Sephardic women, whose traditions emphasize continuity, dignity, chessed, and spiritual beauty, this parashah becomes a masterclass in the ele