Articles in Vayeshev
Vayeshev: Our Children

Give Me A Break!
After years of wandering, labor and suffering, Jacob returned to his father’s home. All he desired was some peace and quiet to pursue his spiritual goals without distraction. But G-d had a different plan. No sooner had Jacob caught his breath, when tension began to brew between …
Vayeshev: Selling A Brother

The Five Rung Pole
There is a hierarchy to the things we love. At the bottom of the totem pole are the vane pursuits of life, such as power, money, success and prestige as well as the toys of life such as cars, houses, furniture and wardrobes. These things make a …
Vayeshev: Revenge Is A Boomerang

It is Fated
It is an irony of fate that acts of revenge frequently backfire. The more spiteful the act, the grander its failure.
One of my favorite stories in Jewish lore is of a wealthy employer who was irritated by his Jewish employee, who frequently praised G-d, rather than the employer, …
Vayeshev: Responsible For A Nation

The Case of the Hidden Item
The Talmud relates a story about a man who deposited jewelry with his fellow for safekeeping. When the owner came to retrieve the jewelry the custodian confessed that he had placed it in a hidden place for safekeeping and was not able to find it. …
Vayeshev: Restoring The Neighborhood

The Celebrity
Imagine yourself living in a nice neighborhood where a well known celebrity chooses to make his home. Property values rise and for the first while you enjoy the distinction; you go out of your way to make the celebrity feel welcome. But time passes and the aura wears off. …
Vayeshev: Trickle Up Effect

Economic Realities
As the economy slows and sales decline in the Automobile Sector, Automakers lobby their governments for bailout packages. Here in Canada, Chrysler has petitioned the Government for an emergency loan of 1.6 billion dollars and added that if the loan is not approved Chrysler would be forced to shut …
Vayeshev: Food for Thought for your Dinner Table

Seven Thoughts for Seven Days
Sunday: Heaven and Earth
Joseph had two dreams. In he first he was binding sheaves in the field, in the second he was gazing at the stars. The first concerned earthly matters, the second, heavenly matters. This is fitting because the objective of our people is to …
Vayeshev: Miracle of Survival

Why?
We Jews have survived the longest and most turbulent exile in history. What inner strength enables our survival? Rejected by host nations, expelled from our homes and reviled by much of society, why haven’t we succumbed?
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