In this week’s parsha, Parshas Vayeishev, Yaakov and his family have returned to Eretz Canaan, where Yaakov Avinu desires to live out the rest of his life in peace and quiet (see Rashi to Bereishis 37:2). Despite his longings for peace, the very opposite occurs,...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Vayishlach Yaakov, we continue to journey with Yaakov Avinu and his family. After working for twenty years for trickster Lavan, and having arrived there with only a staff in his hand, Yaakov leaves a wealthy man - both in family...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Vayeitzei Yaakov, we meet Yaakov Avinu as he is fleeing the wrath of his brother, Eisav, who has vowed to kill him over their father’s blessings. After an exalted dream, wherein Hashem assures Yaakov that his children will inherit the...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Toldos, the second patriarch and matriarch, Yitzchak and Rivka, give birth to Yaakov and Eisav. Yaakov - later identified by the Sages as the בחיר שבאבות (the choicest of the patriarchs) is a simple man, a dweller of tents. He...
[This week’s dvar Torah is slightly longer than most; please read till the end, a request I generally do not preface the dvar Torah with, but this week, it is important that I do so.] In this week’s parsha, Parshas Chayei Sarah, Sarah Imainu, the first...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Vayeira, we continue to journey with Avraham Avinu through his life tests. The myriad of topics delineated in this week’s parsha include: The visit of three angels to the tent of Avraham, along with the blessing that a child will...
Lech Licha, Journey forth for yourself. The ancient command that began one man’s journey; the ancient command that blazed the trail for our people from time immemorial; the ancient command that thus began the life, the history, the destiny of every single Jew - in...
It’s been a while since I sent out a recipe. Now that the Chagim are over (and as we can all use a distraction from today’s political goings-on, may Hashem help us), and as we move into winter, here is a great recipe that can...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Noach, we meet fascinating, passive-to-a-fault, righteous-in-his-times, simple-with-G-d, stunningly-quiet, industrious Noach. Noach was a simple man, yet compared to the people of his times, the Dor Ha’Mabul (generation of the Deluge) - who were steeped in idolatry, immorality, and robbery, he...
Bereishis - In the beginning, Hashem created the heavens and earth; Bereishis - In the beginning, there was confusion and chaos, emptiness and nothingness, and the breath of G-d, the spirit of G-d, the presence of G-d, hovered over the face of the water… In...