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March 25, 2024 – 8:50 pm | Comments Off on Why We Must Resist The Cease Fire Resolution47 views

Tzav: Fighting Evil
We are surrounded by evil; every so often, it rears its ugly head as it did on Simchat Torah—the October 7 massacre. Pure evil raped Jewish mothers, burned Jewish babies alive, mutilated their fathers, and beheaded their neighbors. Pure evil burned loving couples clinging to each other, to …

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Vaysihlach: Content

December 5, 2005 – 5:47 pm | Comments Off on Vaysihlach: Content
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Two Brothers Two Mentalities
Our forefather Jacob sent a gift to his brother Esau. Esau declared, “I have plenty my brother, let what is yours remain yours,” and refused to accept the gift. Jacob insisted that it would be a pleasure to grant the gift since, “ G-d has been gracious …

Vayishlach: G-d is in the Detail

December 5, 2005 – 5:40 pm | Comments Off on Vayishlach: G-d is in the Detail
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Two Interpretations
In the course of preparing himself for battle with his brother Esau, Jacob evacuated his family to the far banks of the river Yabok. After they had been safely settled the Torah tells us that Jacob “Remained alone.” There are two interpretations to these words, which together add a …

Vayigash: The Path of Teshuvah

December 5, 2005 – 5:36 pm | Comments Off on Vayigash: The Path of Teshuvah
the path to teshuvah - innerstream

Judah’s Repentance
The brothers held Judah responsible for the sale of Josef. After all, Judah made the initial suggestion to sell Joseph into slavery. Demoted from his position of leadership, Judah left home and embarked upon a self-imposed exile. He returned years later, contrite and prepared to make up for previous …

Vayigash: Love among Brothers

December 5, 2005 – 5:27 pm | Comments Off on Vayigash: Love among Brothers
telling secrets

Josef and His Brothers
“And He called out ‘Remove everyone from before me’ and there remained no one with them when he revealed himself to his brothers…  And he said, I am Joseph your brother whom you sold into Egypt.” Two questions present themselves a) why did he call for everyone …

Vayetze: Modern Antisemitism

December 4, 2005 – 3:29 am | Comments Off on Vayetze: Modern Antisemitism
modern antisemitism

Discrimination
I recently entered a shoe repair shop and asked for a quote on a minor repair job. I was surprised by the relatively high quote and explained that I had never been quoted so steep a price. The proprietor asked if I was Jewish. When I asked him to explain …

Vayetze: Is Leaving Israel a Descent?

December 4, 2005 – 3:28 am | Comments Off on Vayetze: Is Leaving Israel a Descent?
is leaving israle a descent?

To Haran
“And Jacob departed Beer Sheba and went towards Haran.” (Genesis 28, 10) When Abraham left Israel for Egypt the Torah characterized his departure as a descent. (Genesis 12, 10) Rashi explains that since Israel is the most exalted of all lands, all departures from Israel constitutes a descent. Why …

Vayetze: Stimulating Trials

December 4, 2005 – 3:12 am | Comments Off on Vayetze: Stimulating Trials
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Jacob and Laban
This week’s Parsha describes our Patriarch Jacob’s journey from parents’ home to the home of his uncle Laban. This was a journey from a place of sacred purity to a pit of immorality and deceit. Understandably, it was a difficult journey.

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Vayetze: Identifying the Beast Within

December 4, 2005 – 3:08 am | Comments Off on Vayetze: Identifying the Beast Within
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The Commercial Enterprise
Our Patriarch Jacob grew wealthy through his cattle enterprises. He first raised a great flock of sheep. He sold the sheep and purchased oxen, sold the oxen and purchased camel, sold the camel, and purchased donkey, sold the donkey and purchased valuables.

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