Improbable Endings And The Defeat Of Despair
Parshat Vayeshev has the form of a Greek tragedy. Judaism is the opposite of tragedy. It tells us that every bad fate can be averted and that despair is never justified; today’s curse may be the beginning of tomorrow’s blessing.
Without Intimidation
On Parshat Vayeishev with a nod to Chanukah.
Celebrating The Non-Celebrated
There are many who celebrate the wise, the heroes, and the mystics, and they forget that we must also celebrate the typically non-celebrated, the people who keep the spirit alive, the very spirit that nurtures the more celebrated.
Redeeming Relevance: Vayeshev: Yosef’s Field of Dreams
Yosef’s struggle with his brothers was ideological, whether we are to influence the world by example from the private and safe existence of our tent (the brothers), or whether take more risks by going outside and being heavily involved with the rest of civilization (Yosef)
Tefillah: A Meeting With Hashem – A Tale Of Two Tefillos
Everyone should know about Hashem!
On Guard
Yaakov was the epitome of a shomer.
Remembering Irene
Rebbetzin Jungreis (a”h) column, initially posted upon the death of her beloved friend Irene Klass, is reprinted here as a memoriam to Irene Klass, longtime publisher of The Jewish Press, whose yahrzeit is this week. May both their memories be a blessing.
The Merit Of Eretz Yisrael
While his only motivation may have been to earn a living for himself, he is providing a substantial gain to those he does business with. In this scenario, $850,000 of his efforts are going to vendors, suppliers, and employees. An
Q & A: A Kohen’s Prayer (Part III)
Question: Sefer Chareidim (ch. 67) cites a Midrash that Eliyahu once testified that a certain kohen who begged G-d for righteous sons merited to see all of them serve as high priests, and none of them died during his lifetime. Where exactly is this Midrash?
Nathan
Shabbos Protection
In the very beginning of his introduction, the author writes that it is crucial for a person to trust in Hashem because if he doesn’t, then Hashem will remove His direct and special providential care.
Daf Yomi
Leprosy?
‘Any Kohen Who Is Not An Expert…’
(Shavuos 6a)
Increased Rates
You are only required to pay what she charged in the past, answered Rabbi Dayan. However, I would recommend reaching a compromise with her.
My Father’s Chin (Nazir 40b)
In addressing the question of which devices may be used to remove one’s beard without violating the Torah prohibition, halachic literature focuses on the extent to which these devices function like a razor blade.
Locked Out
I felt good to be able to help out like this and was grateful for the opportunity. If we could not be together for yuntif this year at least I could contribute in this way.
String Theory
Have you ever noticed that you have some mitzvah that not only finds you but seems to follow you around?
Is A Wife Responsible For Her Husband’s Debts? (Siman 77:10)
The husband or his heirs will then have the right to sue the wife as co-borrower for reimbursement of the money they repaid on her behalf.
Maintaining Our Identity In The Face Of Illicit Behavior
Rav Shmuel explained that if we would understand that we are an elevated nation our task in this world would be so much easier.
The Struggle Of Faith
Why not paint Jacob in more attractive colors?
It seems to me that the Torah is delivering, here as elsewhere, an extraordinary message: that if we can truly relate to God as God, in His full transcendence and majesty, then we can relate to humans as humans in all their fallibility.
Talmud: How a 1500-Year-Old Subject Teaches Critical 21st Century Thinking Skills
When learning Talmud, history and geography suddenly come alive as generations unite and converse in one classroom.
Talmudic Risk-Diversification
The Torah tells stories of people who heard the voice of God and risked it all, However, for those of us who have not heard the voice of God, our sages suggest a more nuanced approach to risk.
Trust-but Verify
Esau handled the meeting with Jacob far more grace than most people manage an argument with a spouse. Not bad behavior for a person we are taught is one of the most evil biblical characters!
A Pre-Modern Joke about Post-Modernism
Human interpretation of G-d’s work is always reaching beyond ourselves, and we should be suspicious of any theory that successfully explains everything in Torah – more likely we are imposing our own vision on the text.
Learning From Lavan
Where there's a will, there's a way.
Be Fearful of Religion: Parashat Veyetze
Yaakov introduces a great foundation of Halacha: To give a religious moment an ongoing effect it must be translated into the tangible, the mundane. He picks up a rock.
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