Parenting/Chinuch
Chanukah, Vayishlach
There are a few well known allusions to Chanukah within this week’s parsha of Vayishlach. One of these is when Yaakov returns to his campsite to retrieve "pachim k'tanim,” small jugs.
Kings Not Slaves, Va’ayra
In the opening of the parsha, we are reintroduced to the source of why we drink four cups at our Pesach Seder. These are the four expressions of redemption which Hashem instructed Moshe to share with the Bnei Yisrael.
Know Your Ceiling
Years ago, I read a short parable about a man, alone in the desert. Out of nowhere, he hears a voice from above that tells him, “pick up the stones at your feet and tomorrow you will be both happy and sad.” Confused and bewildered, he nevertheless obliges and puts two or three stones in his pocket.
Mikeitz
Do we recognize our children? Do we recognize our students? The parsha informs us that as the brothers stood before Yosef in Egypt they surprisingly did not recognize him.
Mind My Business, Shmos
Many of us are interested and curious about the lives and personal matters of others. We like to get “the scoop” on things, to be “in the know” about others’ personal business. In fact, the business of finding out other people’s business is big business!
The Deal of the Century, Bo
After 120 years of cruel, tortuous slavery, and after Egypt experienced the wrath of the first seven plagues, it appears as if Pharoh is about ready to crack. He seems too ready to negotiate a plan with Moshe and he offers Moshe the “deal of the century”!
Toldos
It is an interesting contrast to note that the opening of this week’s parsha, Toldos, appropriately begins with "V'aileh Toldos,” while parshas Noach opens with precisely the same words but the name of the parsha is Noach. Why the difference?
Vayaytzay, Chanukah
The Baal Ha’turim at the outset of the parsha notes that the entire parsha is "stumah"/closed. That means, that normally the parsha as written in the Torah has paragraphs and sections, where in contrast Vayatzay is "closed.” It is written as a long episode from beginning to end, as one long narrative. What is the lesson gleaned from this fact?
Vayigash, Zos Chanukah
We are living in a world gone mad. It has become an almost daily occurrence. I cringe each time I check the news headlines or I am sent the latest tragedy on a Whattsap message. There is steady barrage of senseless, nonsensical, acts of terror and other news…
Vayeishev
The parshah opens describing the special relationship between Yaakov Avinu and his son, Yosef. Yosef is described as his “ben zkunim,” the son of his old age, which the commentators explain in various ways to show why Yosef enjoyed this unique relationship. As the story progresses…