Articles in Parsha Insights
Toldot: What Is In A Name?
Jacob and Esau – Twin Brothers
We are told that Esau, the older brother, physically mature at birth. The Hebrew name Esav means ‘finished’, or complete, indicating that he completed his growth process. Jacob, the second son, emerged in hot pursuit with his tiny hand tightly clasping his brother’s heel. The …
Toldot: Inner Conflict
The Warring Nations
“There two nations are in your womb and two regimes from your innards will separate”. The ethos of these words, told to our Matriarch Rivkah with regards to the twins she was carrying in her womb, echo across generations with the clarity of prophetic vision. Every Jew struggles …
Vayeshev: Countering the Voice of Temptation
The Magic Potion
“Rabbi, what can I do to silence my inner voice,” asked the man. When the rabbi replied that this voice might never be silenced, the man exclaimed, “But it’s driving me crazy. Is there any advice that can help me overcome it?”
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Chayei Sara: The Inner Sarah
Rise and Fall
Nelson Mandela once said that true greatness lies not in never falling down but in rising from our falls. We are all susceptible to weakness and failures of human nature. We slip and fall from time to time. The truly great ones rise from their falls by confronting …
Chayei Sarah: Feminine Success
Is G-d Coming for Dinner?
Imagine you were a guest in the home of our Matriarchs. According to this week’s Parsha you would share your lodgings with an illustrious roommate, the Almighty G-d.
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Chayei Sarah: The Mark of Abraham
The Worthy Bride
Abraham instructed his servant to travel to the city of Haran to find a suitable match for his son, Isaac. Why did Abraham refuse to consider the local tribes, was there not a single righteous person in the entire country? Also, why did Abraham expect to find a …
CHayei Sarah: Meaningful Days
The Question
“And Abraham was old, had entered his days, and Hashem blessed Abraham with everything.” (Bereishis 24, 1) The commentators struggle with the meaning of the words “entered his days.” What exactly does this mean?
Old Age
Ramban and Eben Ezra tell us that entering into one’s days suggests longevity. This translation …
Vayera: The History and Power of Prayer
An Ancient Tradition
The tradition of praying three times a day was established by the Patriarchs. Abraham established the morning prayer, Isaac established the afternoon prayer and Jacob established the evening prayer. (1)
Jews prayed this way for many years as evidenced by King David’s words in reference to the daily prayers, …
