Mikeitz (Genesis 41:1-44:17 ) On Hanukkah we celebrate the momentous defeat of the Hasmoneans over the mighty Greek army and the subsequent miracle of the oil that lasted eight days. The war with the Greeks was far more than a standard military confrontation between two nations striving to attain power. This was… Read More »PARSHAT VAYESHEV- CHANUKAH’S IDEOLOGICAL CLASH
Vayeshev (Genesis 37-40 ) Bereishis, 37:34-5: “And Yaakov tore his clothing, and he wore sackcloth on his loins, and he mourned his son for many days. And all his sons and daughters rose up to console him [Yaakov] and he refused to be consoled and he said, ‘because I will go to… Read More »PARSHAT VAYESHEV- SHARING THE PAIN
Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4-36:43 ) In this week’s Parsha, Yaakov is engaged in a fight for survival with the Esav’s Angel. Yaakov is able to overcome his attack, but the Angel does manage to wound him in his thigh. As a result of this damage, the Torah prohibits eating from the gid hanasheh… Read More »PARSHAT VAYETZEI – THE SECRET TO JEWISH SURVIVAL
Vayetzei (Genesis 28:10-32:3 ) In this weeks’ Torah portion, after Yaakov marries Rachel and Leah, the Torah tells us, “Hashem saw that Leah was senuah(literally, “hated”).”1 We know that Yaakov was initially supposed to marry Rachel, but the wily Lavan switched Rachel for her elder sister, Leah. Consequently, Yaakov married both Rachel and Leah.… Read More »PARSHAT VAYETZEI – REDEFING HATRED
Toldot (Genesis 25:19-28:9 ) Bereishit, 26:5: “Because Avraham heeded My voice, he observed My safeguards, My commandments, My decrees and My laws.Yoma, 28b: “Rav says, ‘Our father, Avraham kept the entire Torah as it says, ‘because Avraham heeded My voice… In the Torah Portion of Toldot, G-d blesses Yitzchak in the merit of his… Read More »PARSHAT TOLDOT – SHABBAT AND THE LAND OF ISRAEL
Chayei Sarah (Genesis 23:1-25:18 ) Bereishis, 24:14: “And it will be that the girl that I will say to her, ‘Please tip your jug and I will drink’ and she will say ‘drink’ and also, I will water your camels, You have proved that [she is fitting for] your servant, for Yitzchak, and… Read More »PARSHAT CHAYEI SARAH – THE PERFECT SPOUSE
Vayeira (Genesis 18-22 ) Bereishis, 18:1: “And Hashem appeared to him [Avraham] in Elonei Mamrei…”Rashi, 18:1: Dh: B’Elonei Mamrei: “He [Mamrei] is the one that gave him the advice about circumcision, therefore, [Hashem] was revealed to him [Avraham] in his portion.Daas Zekeinim, 18:1: Dh: Vayeira: “…When the Holy One Blessed is He commanded him to… Read More »PARSHAT VAYEIRA – TEACHING BY EXAMPLE
Lech Lecha (Genesis 12-17 ) Bereishit, 13:14: “And HaShem spoke to Avram after the separation of Lot from him…” Rashi, Bereishit, 13:14, Dh: Acharei: “The whole time that that wicked one [Lot] was with him [Avraham], Prophecy was taken from him. And earlier, when Lot was with him, and it says, ‘Hashem appeared to Avram’… Read More »PARSHAT LECH LECHA – GIVING AT THE EXPENSE OF ONE’S OWN GROWTH
Noach (Genesis 6:9-11:32 ) Bereishis, 6:9: “These are the offspring of Noach: Noach was a righteous man (tzaddik), pure (tamim) in his generations.”Bereishis, 7:1: “And G-d said to Noach, you and all your household, come to the Ark, because I have seen that you are righteous (tzaddik) before me in this generation.Rashi, 7:1: “And it… Read More »PARSHAT NOACH – LUST VERSUS IDEOLOGY
Bereishit (Genesis 1:1-6:8 ) Rebbe Yitzchak said, ‘[God] need only have begun the Torah from ‘This month shall be to you” which is the first Commandment which Israel was commanded. For what reason did it begin with ‘Bereishit’?… So that if the nations of the world will say to Israel, ‘You are… Read More »PARSHAT BERESHIT – THE FIRST RASHI
