The Role Of Darkness Amid The Light
This outcome is anticipated in the Torah, the blueprint of Creation, according to which the intent was always for kings to arise and, in time, to fall.
The Cliffhangers at the End of Bereishit… and in Our Lives
Neither Yosef nor Yehudah panicked. They did not know how the next parsha would begin, but they did know that the larger story had to have a happy ending.
A Lasting Chanukah Message For The Gaza War (Part I)
The Maharal reconciles the two Gemaras by explaining that indeed, normally, it is necessary to broadcast the miracle to the outside.
The Purpose of Mashiach – Parshat Vayeishev
When Tamar's life was threatened, she did not save herself by throwing Yehuda "under the bus".
A Bar Mitzvah At 49 Years Of Age
.Shabbat Shalom
Candles In The Dark
The lighting of the menorah was one mitzvah among many mitzvot, arguably not even the most important mitzvah, that had come to be neglected under the oppression of the Seleucid Greeks.
‘Tis The Season To Be Thankful
We can say Modim for our health. What about for our car and for our phone? Most of us would be crippled, so to speak, if we were missing just one of these. We could also incorporate into our Modim prayer that we are able to pay the mortgage or pay the rent.
Vayeishev: Yosef & Yehuda
As internal conflict over the Hebrew clan's direction leads to tragic consequences for Yosef and Yehuda, each must discover his own messianic potential.
TORAH SHORTS: Parshat Vayeshev: Transcending our Nature
To become fully alive a person must have goals and aims that transcend himself. -Herbert A. Otto
Divine Protection
The potency of a mitzvah lies in the individual’s optimal and enthusiastic execution of the mitzvah with all the proper kavanos (intentions), including mastery of the laws pertaining to this particular mitzvah, and consummating the mitzvah to fulfill the will of Hashem.
A Place Called “Opening of the Eyes”: Tamar and Re-Cognition
Do "clothes make the woman"?
Bread Of Hate? – Parshat Vayeishev
From the outset, there was seething sibling rivalry that eventually erupted explosively. The sons of Leah regarded the sons of the maidservants Zilpah and Bilhah with disdain, and they hated Yosef.
Building from Within – Parshat Vayishlach
Rashi brings from Chaza"l that the "Nachala" of Yaakov, as opposed to Avraham, is limitless.
Such A Thing Will Not Be Done
The Torah is ambiguous regarding who, exactly, is right in this story. Did, indeed, the brothers go too far? Did Yaakov face a battle shortly thereafter, as one midrash indicates? Were they both right on some level?
Vayishlach: Finally Becoming Israel
As Yaakov returns back home to his land, he and his family are met with new challenges that ultimately transform them into the nation of Israel.
Revitalizing Our Prayers – Part Nineteen
The Yaros Devash teaches us that Yerushalayim is called Kisei Hashem, the Throne of Hashem.
Torah Shorts: Parshat Vayishlach: Flatterer’s Folly
“Flattery is all right if you don't inhale.” -Adlai E. Stevenson
When Ya’akov Became Two People
Ya'akov's youth resembles that of his passive and isolated[…] father, his adult life resembles the trials and tribulations of Abraham among the nations.
The Kings Of Edom
The Arizal finds not only this earthly, historic struggle in these passages but the roots of corruption in Creation.
Ocean Of Tears
R’ Dancziger points out that our sages tell us that before all else Yaakov Avinu prayed, not that he did teshuva. We would think that repentance would have been the more instinctive response if Yaakov Avinu thought he might have sinned. Why did he engage in prayer?
Parshat Nedarim – Parshat Vayetzei
Nedarim are bad, except...
Vayetzei: Yaakov’s Struggle To Become Israel
Before becoming Israel, Yaakov had to first spend several years in exile learning to be more like Esav.
If G-d Protects Me
Rashi suggests here that while Yaakov has faith that G-d will bring him back in one piece and that his children will inherit the land promised to his fathers, he does not know whether all of his children will be worthy of this promise.
TORAH SHORTS: Parshat Vayetze: Anti-Wealth Prayer
He who knows he has enough is rich. -Lao-Tzu
Takes One to Know One
If we are constantly looking for the ideal, we may never find it, but if we start doing the possible, we may find that the ideal is just down the road
What Do You Dream About?
Yaakov is now so confident in his newly acquired ability to protect himself from the scammers of the world, that he feels that he doesn’t need G-d’s help. So he heads straight for the web of deception in Charan. Something makes him pause, however.
Revitalizing Our Prayers – Part Eighteen
There are people who, while they voice Hashem will help, they really put their trust solely in the doctor, or in the medicine, but not in Hashem.
A Ray Of Light
It appears that we have circumstances where the day became dark, even though it was still daytime and, in contrast scenarios where there was light in the darkness. Both portend good for the Jewish nation.
The Big And The Small Ladders
Hashem’s bounty descends from the sources of His will, and the deeds of the tzaddik ascend from the dust of the earth from which we are all made.
Starting Midsentence – Parshat Toldot
Why does Yitzchak's blessing seem to start mid-sentence?