Our Blog

Parashat Naso: The Tabernacle is the Community

May 23, 2026

With the end of the spring season and the closing of the doors of Beit BINA in Puerto Viejo, we pause for a moment of reflection and farewell. Inspired by Parashat "Naso" and the dismantling of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) in the desert, this article reminds us that the walls are merely a shell – the true, beating Mishkan is the amazing local community that remains here. Just before we continue onward in our journey, we leave behind a closed physical structure but a connected and stable community, and part ways with a Priestly Blessing of love, presence, and connection.

Reading Shavuot, Celebrating Community

May 20, 2026

Shavuot is approaching us here, at the edge of the world. As the jungles of Puerto Viejo wrap us in endless green and the rhythm of "Pura Vida" sounds in the background, the holiday table at BINA House is being set.

We Are All Just Guests Here – Torah Portions Behar and Bechukotai

May 9, 2026

Reading the conclusion of the Book of Leviticus in the heart of Costa Rica's wild nature, the ancient texts suddenly take on a new, tangible life. Through the Torah portions of 'Behar' and 'Bechukotai,' we embark on a short journey between two significant insights: from the deep understanding that we are mere guests and caretakers of the incredible land that surrounds us, to the rare, local realization of the verse "and a sword shall not pass through your land" in a country that chose to abolish its army in favor of education and community. Thoughts on Shmita (the Sabbatical year), connection, and active peace from BINA House Puerto Viejo.

Beyond the Flames: The Historical Truth of Lag BaOmer and the Power of the Human Story

May 5, 2026

Lag BaOmer is one of the more difficult holidays to define. When you scratch beneath the surface of burnt potatoes and marshmallows, you discover that the familiar story we grew up with is just the tip of the iceberg. Beneath it lies a much deeper story about history, loss, censorship, and how one national movement decided to rewrite the past in order to build the future.

Voices of Talamanca: Keeping the Bribri Language Alive

May 4, 2026

The Puerto Viejo area is much more than magical beaches and perfect surfing waves. Right here, between the Caribbean Sea and the rainforest, beats the cultural heart of Costa Rica – the Bribri tribe. Now, a new technological project born right here is helping connect travelers to this ancient culture.

Parashat Emor, May Day, and Pesach Sheni: On the Right to Rest and the Opportunity to Mend

May 2, 2026

This Shabbat, we at Beit Binah delved into Parashat "Emor," which serves as a kind of ancient calendar for the Jewish people, detailing all of Israel's festivals. However, a secular and modern reading of the portion reveals that it is much more than a religious text – it speaks of time, connection to nature, and social rights.

Parashat Hashavua: Holiness in the Heart of "Pura Vida"

April 25, 2026

What is the connection between holiness and the jungles of Costa Rica? Parashat "Kedoshim" reminds us that true spirituality isn't found in isolation on some mountain peak, but rather right around the Shabbat table. Thoughts on community, social responsibility, and the obligation to always leave one empty chair.

Between the Caribbean Sea and the Siren from Home

April 21, 2026

The moving Yom HaZikaron ceremony at BINA House in Puerto Viejo brought together the pastoral quiet of the Caribbean jungle and the deep national pain of recent years. An Israeli community chose to gather thousands of kilometers from home in order not to bear the grief alone, turning remembrance into an active choice through sharing painful personal stories of fallen soldiers and murdered civilians—from the War of Independence to October 7th. Out of the dissonance between the singing of "Hatikvah" and the sounds of tropical nature, the understanding sharpens that the power of togetherness crosses continents, serving as our small victory and our promise to those who are no longer with us.

Parashat Tazria-Metzora

April 17, 2026

At first glance, the Torah portions of Tazria and Metzora seem like a collection of technical rules. But hidden within them is a poetic and moving healing ritual involving two birds—one sacrificed, and the other set free. This week, as we stand between the pain of Israel's national memorial days and the joy of Independence Day, this imagery takes on a profound meaning for our community of travelers and expats far from home. Read how the choice of life and freedom intertwines with our roots, and how, right here in Costa Rica, we are building a nest to always return to.

Two Diaries, One Hiding Closet, and a Family Saved Twice: The Incredible Story Coming to Our 'Zikaron BaSalon' in Puerto Viejo

April 11, 2026

The pastoral jungle and Caribbean Sea of Puerto Viejo feel like the farthest place on earth from the bleeding Europe of the 1940s. But this coming Holocaust Remembrance Day eve, the living room of BINA House will become a rare bridge between times and continents. Claudio Ambroso will join us to reveal an extraordinary historical puzzle of his family—one family saved through two completely different paths, documented in two separate historical diaries.

The Eighth Day in the Jungle: Between "Strange Fire" and a Living Community

April 10, 2026

Deep in the jungle of Costa Rica, the Torah portion of "Shemini" takes on a new meaning. A family journey that evolved into a community hub raises questions about the transition from wandering to permanence, the dangers of boundless enthusiasm ("Strange Fire"), and how simple choices—like what we put on our plates—transform matter into spirit.

Freedom, Caribbean Vibes, and Tradition: Our Custom Puerto Viejo Haggadah

April 1, 2026

A sneak peek into the special Haggadah we created at the BINA House in Puerto Viejo: A heartwarming connection between ancient tradition and our local Caribbean community spirit. Download your copy in English or Hebrew and add some "Pura Vida" to your Seder table, wherever you are in the world.

It's Impossible to Say Thank You Alone

March 28, 2026

How do you say thank you after a long journey or surviving a crisis? The ancient law of the "Thanksgiving Sacrifice" in Parashat Tzav required anyone who was saved to bring no less than 40 loaves of bread, and finish them all by the very next morning. This impossible task was meant to force us to gather friends, family, and even complete strangers around the table. Here, among the travelers gathering at the BINA House in Puerto Viejo, this realization becomes remarkably clear: it is truly impossible to say thank you alone. True gratitude requires a community. So, who are the people helping you finish your "40 loaves" this week?

The Fire That Doesn't Burn on Its Own

March 27, 2026

There is something about the atmosphere in Costa Rica that projects a natural flow, but Parashat Tzav reminds us of a different, ancient truth: fire never burns on its own. Here, between the waves of Puerto Viejo and the community of travelers gathering at BINA House, we discover time and again that keeping the warmth of home, the sense of belonging, and our culture alive requires active effort. So, what is your "perpetual fire," and where do you need to add some wood so the flame doesn't fade?

Parashat Hashavua: Vayikra

March 21, 2026

Thoughts from the weekly Torah portion Vayikra that met us here in the jungles of Costa Rica. Through the tiny "Aleph" at the beginning of the portion and the root of the word "Korban" (sacrifice) (K.R.B), we re-examine our journey: how powerful nature helps us maintain humility and perspective, and how it is precisely the sacrifices of home comforts that open a path to get closer to ourselves, to nature, and to the amazing traveling community we encounter along the way.

The Inventory of Our Suitcases: When the Torah Meets Our Gear After Two Years on the Road

March 13, 2026

What would happen if Moses had to take an inventory of our luggage? During our Kabbalat Shabbat in Costa Rica, Gili took the mic and shared her own take on Parashat Pekudei. From winter hats in the sweltering heat to mystery charger cables Dad refuses to throw away, and absolutely zero hair ties - she reminded us that every weird item in our bags is actually a piece of the unique story of our journey.

Parashat Hashavua: Vayakhel

March 13, 2026

We traveled to the jungles of Costa Rica to discover that in the end, we are all looking for a table to sit around together. Impressions from our second and exciting Shabbat at "Beit Binah" in Puerto Viejo, on the connection to the weekly Torah portion 'Vayakhel', and on the insight we learned on the road: The true sanctuary is not the walls that surround us, but the people with us.

Where the Sea Met Freedom: The Secret Waiting on Cahuita’s Shores

March 10, 2026

What started as a peaceful family getaway on the shores of Cahuita turned into an emotional journey unearthing a 300-year-old historical secret. Discover the story of the Danish slave ships that sank in 1710, the extraordinary alliance forged between African survivors and local indigenous tribes, and how a recent underwater archaeological breakthrough restored pride and heritage to an entire community.

Parashat Hashavua: Ki Tisa - Wabi-Sabi

March 7, 2026

This week we will dive into the greatest "wabi-sabi" moment in our tradition: the Parashat Ki Tisa and the shattering of the Tablets of the Covenant. The Japanese philosophy of finding beauty in the imperfect, temporary, and flawed meets the ancient teaching that "whole tablets and shattered tablets are placed in the Ark." We will discover that true holiness is not in divine perfection, but rather in human endeavor – in what we create with effort, with all its flaws. Beit Binah in Puerto Viejo was founded on this concept: a true community is a place that accepts the "human wabi-sabi," where the broken pieces and the whole pieces are placed together, and we discover that the imperfect mosaic created here, in the middle of the jungle, is the most sacred and beautiful thing there is.