Nuestro Blog

Parashat Naso: El Tabernáculo es la Comunidad

23 de mayo de 2026

Con el final de la temporada de primavera y el cierre de las puertas de Beit BINA en Puerto Viejo, nos detenemos para un momento de reflexión y despedida. Inspirados en la Parashá "Naso" y el desmantelamiento del Mishkán (Tabernáculo) en el desierto, este artículo nos recuerda que las paredes son solo un caparazón: el verdadero y palpitante Mishkán es la increíble comunidad local que permanece aquí. Justo antes de continuar nuestro viaje, dejamos atrás una estructura física cerrada, pero una comunidad conectada y estable, y nos despedimos con una Bendición Sacerdotal de amor, presencia y conexión.

Leemos Shavuot, celebramos la comunidad

20 de mayo de 2026

La festividad de Shavuot se acerca aquí, al fin del mundo. Mientras las selvas de Puerto Viejo nos envuelven en un verde infinito y el ritmo de "pura vida" resuena de fondo, la mesa festiva de Beit BINA se va preparando.

Todos somos solo invitados aquí – Parashot Behar y Bejukotai

9 de mayo de 2026

Al leer el final del libro de Levítico en el corazón de la naturaleza salvaje de Costa Rica, los textos antiguos cobran de repente una vida nueva y tangible. A través de las porciones de la Torá 'Behar' y 'Bejukotai', nos embarcamos en un breve viaje entre dos reflexiones significativas: desde la profunda comprensión de que somos meros invitados y cuidadores de la increíble tierra que nos rodea, hasta la rara y local realización del versículo "y la espada no pasará por su tierra" en un país que decidió abolir su ejército a favor de la educación y la comunidad. Pensamientos sobre Shmitá (el año sabático), conexión y paz activa desde Casa BINA Puerto Viejo.

Más allá de las llamas: La verdad histórica de Lag BaÓmer y el poder de la historia humana

5 de mayo de 2026

Lag BaÓmer es una de las festividades más difíciles de definir. Al rascar la superficie de las papas asadas y los malvaviscos, descubrimos que la historia familiar con la que crecimos es solo la punta del iceberg. Debajo se esconde una historia mucho más profunda sobre historia, pérdida, censura y sobre cómo un movimiento nacional decidió reescribir el pasado para construir el futuro.

Voces de Talamanca: Manteniendo viva la lengua Bribri

4 de mayo de 2026

El área de Puerto Viejo es mucho más que playas mágicas y olas perfectas para surfear. Justo aquí, entre el Mar Caribe y la selva tropical, late el corazón cultural de Costa Rica: la tribu Bribri. Ahora, un nuevo proyecto tecnológico nacido aquí mismo está ayudando a conectar a los viajeros con esta antigua cultura.

Parashat Emor, Primero de Mayo y Pésaj Sheni: Sobre el derecho al descanso y la oportunidad de enmendar

2 de mayo de 2026

Este Shabat, en Beit Binah profundizamos en la Parashat "Emor", que sirve como una especie de calendario antiguo para el pueblo judío, detallando todas las festividades de Israel. Sin embargo, una lectura secular y moderna de la porción revela que es mucho más que un texto religioso: habla del tiempo, la conexión con la naturaleza y los derechos sociales.

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

25 de abril de 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

21 de abril de 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

17 de abril de 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

11 de abril de 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.

El Octavo Día en la Selva: Entre el "Fuego Extraño" y una Comunidad Viva

10 de abril de 2026

En lo profundo de la selva de Costa Rica, la porción de la Torá "Shemini" cobra un nuevo sentido. Un viaje familiar que se convirtió en un centro comunitario plantea preguntas sobre la transición del vagabundeo a la permanencia, el peligro del entusiasmo sin límites ("Fuego Extraño") y cómo las elecciones simples—como lo que ponemos en nuestro plato—transforman la materia en espíritu.

Libertad, Vibras Caribeñas y Tradición: Nuestra Jagadá Personalizada de Puerto Viejo

1 de abril de 2026

Un vistazo a la Hagadá especial que creamos en la Casa BINA en Puerto Viejo: Una conexión conmovedora entre la tradición ancestral y nuestro espíritu comunitario caribeño local. Descarga tu copia en inglés o hebreo y añade algo de "Pura Vida" a tu mesa del Seder, dondequiera que estés en el mundo.

It's Impossible to Say Thank You Alone

28 de marzo de 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

27 de marzo de 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

21 de marzo de 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

13 de marzo de 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

13 de marzo de 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

10 de marzo de 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

7 de marzo de 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.