In this week’s parsha, Parshas Vayeitzei, Yaakov Avinu finds himself fleeing the wrath of Eisav, his brother. After Yaakov received their father, Yitzchak’s, blessings before Eisav (Bereishis 27), Eisav avows to kill his brother after their father’s demise (27:41). After his famous dream, known as “Sulam...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Toldos, after twenty childless years, Yitzchak and Rivka’s twins are born. Even before the twins are born, their different personalities are apparent in utero, as one would kick and move around when Rivka passed by a house of avodah zarah...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Chayei Sarah, our matriarch Sarah, the wife, helper and confidant of Avraham Avinu, dies at the age of one hundred and twenty seven years old (Bereishis 23:1). With the passing of righteous Sarah, the mantle of leadership will be bequeathed...
This week’s parsha, Parshas Vayeira, opens with the famous visit of the three angels to the home (tent) of Avraham and Sarah. Avraham is ninety-nine years old and healing from his bris milah (see Ch.17). Sarah is eight-nine years old. The angels have arrived to...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Lech Licha, we begin the journey with Avram (who will become Avraham Avinu in Chapter 17). At the age of seventy-five, he sets out to the Land of Canaan along with Lot his nephew and Sarai his wife. Many important...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Noach, we learn of the deluge that inundated the world, destroying all life forms, save for Noach, his wife Na’ama, their three sons and their wives, and the animals in the teyva (ark). After the world was washed away, and...
Bereishis 5782. The excitement of a new cycle of Torah. New beginnings for the new year. Opportunities to review insights we already know, and b’ezrat Hashem, to glean new insights we are not yet familiar with. Bereishis. “In the beginning Elokim created the heavens and the...
On Simchas Torah, we conclude our annual journey through Chumash with the reading of V’zos Ha’bracha. The end of Sefer Devarim and the finale of the Chamisha Chumshei Torah speaks of final blessings, parting words and poetic prophecies. And the finality of death. In the...
This week’s parsha, Parshas Haazinu, begins as Moshe calls upon the heavens and earth to bear witness, and to hear, the words that he will say to the Bnei Yisrael. הַאֲזִינוּ הַשָּׁמַיִם, וַאֲדַבֵּרָה; וְתִשְׁמַע הָאָרֶץ, אִמְרֵי-פִי - Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; and...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Vayelech, the Torah informs us of Hester Panim, the Concealment of the Divine Face, when Hashem hides His face (keviyachol) from His world and, specifically, from His people. The pasukim (Devarim 31:17-18) tell us: וְחָרָה אַפִּי בוֹ בַיּוֹם-הַהוּא וַעֲזַבְתִּים וְהִסְתַּרְתִּי פָנַי...