We will sit down to the Seder this year while our people suffer. Israel faces simultaneous attacks by Hamas, Hezbollah, Yemen, Iraq, and Iran. More than a hundred Jews are still in captivity. Antisemitism is rampant and acceptable again in coffee shops, public squares, public schools, and college campuses.
The saga …
Vayishlach: Wrestling Angels
Disagreements
We all have them, even with the people we love. That no two people can agree on every issue is a fact of life. “Our mindset,” say our sages, “is as unique as our facial features.” (1)
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Vayishlach: The Lazy Self
Grappling with an Angel
Having transported his family and possessions to the far shore of the Yabok River Jacob returned to retrieve a number of small items that were inadvertently left behind. The Torah tells that once he returned “He grappled with a man… till the dawn rose.” The Midrash teaches …
Vaysihlach: Content
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
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
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
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
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?
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 …
Parsha Insights »
Ki Teze: A Noble Purpose
Everything, but The Pillow
In this week’s Parsha we learn that a creditor is permitted to demand collateral before offering a loan even if the debtor is impoverished. However, the Torah enjoins us not to demand an article that the debtor would require during the normal course of his day. For …
Yearly Cycle »
The Festival and Shabbat
Sanctity and Joy
When a Jewish festival falls on Friday, it merges directly into Shabbat. This gives us pause as we reflect on the differences between the festival and Shabbat.
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Concepts »
Pinchas: Moses is You
The Past
There is a large cemetery in the annals of academia in which the past lies buried. This cemetery takes the form of history books monuments and museums. We visit our past, research and teach it, but we don’t live it. The past is simply, in the past. Judaism is …
Rabbi’s Desk »
What Can We Do?
These past two days have been the most difficult for our people in the last fifty years. It was Simchat Torah, a time for rejoicing, yet it was a time of horror. Nearly a thousand members of our family were brutally murdered, more than a hundred were taken hostage, and …
