Seeing Past the Darkness
Mikeitz Genesis 41:1–44:17 Divine “hiding” is more than a response to man’s actions in this world. It is a critical and vital step in...
Chanukah: The Hellenist Challenge
“When the Greeks entered the Temple, they defiled all of the oils. After the Hasmoneans defeated them, they searched and found but one...
To Wait Without Despair
Mikeitz Genesis 41:1–44:17 Something extraordinary happens between last week’s Parshah and this week’s. It is almost as if the pause...
Painful Truths in a Rashi
Life Lessons from the Torah Reading The Torah portion of Vayeishev : Genesis 37:1–40:23 There are points in our lives where...
The Clothes We Wear
The Torah portion of Vayeishev : Genesis 37:1–40:23 In modern society it is believed that it is the clothes that make the man. Much...
Chanukah: Flickering Lights in Dark Times
Suitable Wicks and Oils The Mishnah (Shabbat, chapter two) discusses which wicks and oils are suitable for Sabbath lights. Certain...
Destiny or Free Choice
Does Judaism believe in destiny? Do we believe that G‑d is in control of all that transpires in the universe, that every human being is...
“And Yaacov was left alone “
Life Lessons from the Torah Reading The turmoil of life can sometimes make us feel very alone. We at times are left in solitude with...
The Hand of Esau
One cannot be understanding of evil because in the end that evil will overwhelm the good-hearted. As Yaacov ( Jacob) returns...
Feeling the Fear
Vayishlach Genesis32:4-36:43 It is one of the most enigmatic episodes in the Torah, but also one of the most important, because it was...