בס”ד A THOUGHT ABOUT PARSHAT VAYIGASH 5785 1. Jacob’s Response to Pharaoh’s Question It seems that Jacob had visibly aged, with his gray hair and worn appearance drawing Pharaoh’s attention. His appearance sparked astonishment, as people of that time generally lived much shorter lives than the generations before. Amazed by… Read More »THE VALUE OF EACH DAY
בס”ד A THOUGHT ABOUT PARSHAT MIKEITZ 5785 Pharaoh’s Dreams 18 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fat-fleshed and well-favoured; and they fed in the reed-grass. וְהִנֵּ֣ה מִן־הַיְאֹ֗ר עֹלֹת֙ שֶׁ֣בַע פָּר֔וֹת בְּרִיא֥וֹת בָּשָׂ֖ר וִיפֹ֣ת תֹּ֑אַר וַתִּרְעֶ֖ינָה בָּאָֽחוּ 19 And, behold, seven other kine came up after… Read More »A TALE OF RESILIENCE AND TRIUMPH
בס”ד A THOUGHT ABOUT PARSHAT VAYESHEV 5785 Genesis 37:1 And Jacob dwelt in the land of his father’s sojournings, in the land of Canaan. א וַיֵּשֶׁב יַעֲקֹב, בְּאֶרֶץ מְגוּרֵי אָבִיו–בְּאֶרֶץ, כְּנָעַן. The previous Parsha concluded with the account of Esau (also known as Edom, see Zohar III, 232b) and his descendants.… Read More »JACOB AND JOSEPH – THE MISSION TO UPHOLD AND SPREAD THE FLAME OF TORAH
בס”ד A THOUGHT ABOUT PARSHAT VAYISHLACH 5785 Wrestling with Faith and Understanding The Text A small excerpt from this week’s Parsha that raises many questions but also provides valuable lessons. Let’s begin by reading the text and zooming in on various aspects. Gen 32:25-30 25 And Jacob was left alone;… Read More »JACOB’S MIDNIGHT STRUGGLE
בס”ד A THOUGHT ABOUT PARSHAT VAYISHLACH 5785 Genesis 33:3 3 And he (Jacob) himself passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. (Esav) ג וְהוּא, עָבַר לִפְנֵיהֶם; וַיִּשְׁתַּחוּ אַרְצָה שֶׁבַע פְּעָמִים, עַד-גִּשְׁתּוֹ עַד-אָחִיו. At first glance, the text seems to suggest… Read More »SEVEN BOWS OF JACOB?
בס”ד A THOUGHT ABOUT PARSHAT VAYETZE 5785 Introduction In this week’s Parsha, we encounter the famous dream of Jacob, which holds significant insights and interpretations. This passage in Bereshit (Genesis) 28 serves as a profound narrative with layers of meaning. Let us first examine the text: 10 And Jacob went out… Read More »JACOB’S LADDER: SPIRITUAL GROWTH AMIDST CHALLENGES
בס”ד A THOUGHT ABOUT PARSHAT TOLDOT 5785 In this blog, we will follow the thoughts of Nesivos Shalom and see how great the power of prayer is, based on Genesis 25:21 21 And Isaac entreated the L-RD for his wife, because she was barren; and the L-RD let Himself be entreated… Read More »DIVINE INTERVENTION THROUGH PERSISENT PRAYER
בס”ד A THOUGHT ABOUT PARSHAT CHAYEI SARAH 5785 Sarah: A Model of Humility Sarah, the first matriarch of the Jewish people, is often praised for her great qualities, including her prophetic insight, her beauty, and her leadership and royalty. Rashi highlights her profound spiritual vision and prophetic gift in Genesis… Read More »THE IMPORTANCE OF HUMILITY IN JEWISH TRADITION
בס”ד A THOUGHT ABOUT PARSHAT VAYERA 5785 Abraham is regarded in Jewish tradition as the symbol of Chesed (loving-kindness), a virtue he exemplified through his actions and attitude towards others. Even in his moments of weakness, when he was recovering from his circumcision, he received a divine revelation.1 In fact,… Read More »ABRAHAM – THE EMBODIMENT OF CHESED – A LESSON IN HOSPITALITY
בס”ד A THOUGHT ABOUT PARSHAT LECH LECHA 5785 Genesis 12:2-3 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and be thou a blessing. וְאֶעֶשְׂךָ, לְגוֹי גָּדוֹל, וַאֲבָרֶכְךָ, וַאֲגַדְּלָה שְׁמֶךָ; וֶהְיֵה, בְּרָכָה 3 And I will bless them that bless thee,… Read More »ABRAHAM’S LEGACY OF FAITH AND KINDNESS
