This week’s parsha, Parshas Vayeitzei, opens as Yaakov Avinu is on the run, fleeing the wrath of his brother, Eisav, who wants to kill him over the contested brachos (blessings) (Bereishis 27). Alone, he leaves Be’er Sheva to journey to Charan, to his uncle Lavan,...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Toldos, twin sons - Yaakov and Eisav - are born to Yitzchak and Rivka, after many years of childlessness. Eisav, reddish and hairy, is born first, while Yaakov is born second, holding on to the heel of his brother. As the...
In the beginning of this week’s parsha, Parshas Chayei Sara, Sarah Imainu dies at the age of 127 years old, וַתָּ֣מָת שָׂרָ֗ה בְּקִרְיַ֥ת אַרְבַּ֛ע הִ֥וא חֶבְר֖וֹן בְּאֶ֣רֶץ כְּנָ֑עַן וַיָּבֹא֙ אַבְרָהָ֔ם לִסְפֹּ֥ד לְשָׂרָ֖ה וְלִבְכֹּתָֽהּ, and Sarah died in Kiryas Arba, which is Chevron, in the land...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Vayeira, Avraham and Sarah’s long awaited son, Yitzchak, is born. At the age of 100 and 90, Avraham and Sarah, respectively, become parents together. וַה’ פָּקַד אֶת-שָׂרָה, כַּאֲשֶׁר אָמָר; וַיַּעַשׂ ה’ לְשָׂרָה, כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֵּר - And Hashem remembered Sarah as He...
Parshas Lech Licha. Avraham Avinu, Sarah Imainu. Journeys, Wanderings, Trials, Tribulations, Visions, Prophecies, Battles and Peace Treaties, Bris Milah and Blessings. Lech Licha - the beginnings of the Jewish nation and Jewish destiny. The ancient call that sparked a nation: And Hashem said to Avraham, לֶךְ-לְךָ...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Noach, we learn of two different societies and generations: the Dor Ha’Mabul, generation of the deluge, and Dor Ha’flaga, generation of disunion and dispersion. The Dor Ha’Mabul were a sinful people, washed away by the great flood waters. Only Noach, his...
Baruch she’he’chiyanu v’ki’yimanu vi’hi’giyanu la’zman hazeh - blessed be He Who has kept us alive, sustained us and brought us to this time. With the conclusion of the yomim tovim, the excitement and anticipation that we feel is palpable, as we prepare to start our...
In this week’s poetic and moving song-of-Torah, Parshas Haazinu, Moshe Rabbeinu prepares to take leave of the nation he has loved and led for forty years. The people will now cross the Jordan River to fulfill their destiny in Eretz Yisrael, while Moshe will die...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Vayelech, the pasukim (verses) say וְעַתָּה, כִּתְבוּ לָכֶם אֶת-הַשִּׁירָה הַזֹּאת, וְלַמְּדָהּ אֶת-בְּנֵי-יִשְׂרָאֵל, שִׂימָהּ בְּפִיהֶם: לְמַעַן תִּהְיֶה-לִּי הַשִּׁירָה הַזֹּאת, לְעֵד--בִּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - And now, write for yourselves this song, and teach it to the Children of Israel. Place it in their...
In this week’s parsha, Parshas Nitzavim, Moshe Rabbeinu leaves us with the final messages of this year. As we are about to enter into 5779, with Rosh Hashana upon us, we take Moshe’s words with us. The pasuk (verse) says: אַתֶּם נִצָּבִים הַיּוֹם כֻּלְּכֶם, לִפְנֵי ה׳...