29 Jan Shaimos In Parshas Bo Dvar Torah
Due to an unfortunate error and oversight on my part, Shaimos was included in the Parshas Bo dvar Torah. If you printed up the piece, please dispose of it properly. Thank you....
26 Jan Parshas Bo: The Dignity of Old Age
In this week’s parsha, after two hundred and ten years, the Bnei Yisrael leave Egypt. Parshas Bo begins with the eighth plague, Makkas Arbeh - the locust swarm. As was done before each plague, Pharaoh was warned that if he did not let the Israelites...
19 Jan Parshas Va’era: Rebuke With Love
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Va’era, the great Exodus from Egypt begins; the redemption which takes the Israelites from a downtrodden and oppressed nation, to a people of freedom and liberty. The first seven makkos unfold and with each plague, Moshe and Aharon warn Pharaoh...
12 Jan Parshas Shemos: “And A Man Went”
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Shemos, the Torah narrates the Egyptian enslavement which embittered the lives of the Israelites, broke their bodies and spirit (Rashi to Ex.1:13 and Ex.6:9, respectively) and ultimately led to a period of infanticide when all baby boys born were thrown...
05 Jan Parshas Vayechi: Remembering One’s Humble Origins
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Vayechi, we learn of the death of Yaakov Avinu at the age of 147 years. We read of the brachos he bestows upon his sons before his death. We learn of his burial in the Me’aras Ha’Machpela. We cry over...
29 Dec Parshas Vayigash: The Power of Our Past
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Vayigash, after the viceroy of Egypt reveals himself to be Yosef ha’Tzadik, the long lost brother of the sons of Yaakov, the brothers ascend to Egypt to bring Yaakov and their families down to Goshen. This joyous reunion is actually...
22 Dec Miketz/Chaunkah 5783
This week’s parsha, Parshas Miketz, opens with the two dreams of Pharaoh. While Yosef is languishing in prison, Hashem is arranging events so that Yosef’s fate will abruptly change. In his first dream, Pharaoh sees seven skinny, gaunt cows consuming seven healthy, robust cows along...
15 Dec Vayeishev: The Gift of Brotherhood
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Vayeishev, the saga of Yosef and his brothers begins to unfold. The narrative begins in our sedra, Bereishis Ch.37, and continues until Yosef’s dying day, with the closing verses of Sefer Bereishis (50:24-26). Born of a different mother, Yosef is different...
08 Dec Vayishlach: Recognizing Divine Providence in Our Lives
In this week’s sedra, Vayishlach, Yaakov (and his family) meet Eisav after Yaakov spent twenty years working at Lavan’s. Fearing Eisav’s wrath, Yaakov prepares for battle by dividing his large family into two camps, sending gifts of appeasement to Eisav, and praying for Divine protection...
01 Dec Parshas Vayeitzei: Divine Promises, Divine Land
This week’s parsha, Parshas Vayeitzei, opens with Yaakov running away from Be’er Sheva, headed to Charan, where he will spend the next twenty years at the home of his uncle, Lavan. Fleeing the wrath of his brother Eisav, it is in Lavan’s home that Yaakov...