Thursday
Jan042018
WHO’S WHO IN EXILE?
January 4, 2018This week’s parsha introduces us to Moses, the “first redeemer” of the Jewish people. Moses serves as the paradigm for the final redeemer of the Jewish people—Moshiach.
Entries in Parsha Thought (325)
Tuesday
Dec262017
JACOB NEVER DIED
Our Sages teach that “everything follows the end.” The literal translation is that “everything follows the seal.” A seal is put on something that needs to be protected and preserved. This parsha, then, is what preserves the message and inspiration of all the preceding sections of B’Reishis.
Wednesday
Dec202017
A UNIFIED PATH
After Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, he told them to return to Jacob, their father, and bring him down to Egypt.
Wednesday
Dec132017
UNCONDITIONAL REDEMPTION
When Pharaoh was disturbed by dreams that none of his subjects could decipher, Joseph successfully interpreted them as a warning of impending disaster.
Tuesday
Dec052017
WHEN THE OUTSIDE IS INSIDE
The Talmud says that one should light the Menorah in the exterior doorway of a dwelling. The Talmud adds that it should be placed on the left side of the entrance, opposite the Mezuzah fixed on the right side of the doorway.
Tuesday
Nov282017
OUR EYES ON THE GOAL
When Jacob returned home, after a hiatus of 22 years, he travelled with a large entourage of family members, servants and livestock. As they approached the end of their journey, Jacob was told that Esau was coming with 400 armed men to confront him.
Tuesday
Nov212017
ULTIMATE GRATITUDE AND JOY!
When Leah, Jacob’s first wife, gives birth to her fourth son she names him Yehudah because, she says, “this time I will thank [Odeh] G-d.”
Tuesday
Nov142017
THE PROOF IS IN THE EATING AND DRINKING
Esau and Jacob’s rivalry began even before they were born. The Torah relates that they began their struggle in their mother’s womb. At their birth, Jacob emerged holding on to Esau’s heel. Rashi explains that he was trying to emerge first so he could enjoy the status of the first-born.
Wednesday
Nov082017
GEULA & WOMEN
“In the merit of the righteous women the Jewish people were liberated from Egypt.” (Talmud, Sota 11b)
Tuesday
Oct312017
COMMUNICATION 101
The Talmud states that one trait endemic to the Jewish people is kindness. Our Sages teach us that we inherited this trait from Abraham. Nowhere is Abraham’s kindness more evident than in this week’s description of his hospitality.
Tuesday
Oct242017
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN THE ERA OF REDEMPTION
The Jewish people have been known by many names. Among them we can find Israel and Yehudi. But the first name used by the Torah is Ivri-Hebrew. Each name signifies a specific trait and virtue. Israel describes our mastery over other forces. Yehudi describes our recognition of, and gratitude to, G-d. But what does the name Ivri signify?
Tuesday
Oct172017
MAIMONIDES’ TOWER OF BABEL
The Tower of Babel narrative underscores the double-edged sword nature of unity.
Sunday
Oct012017
THE THREE-PLIED BLESSING
The very last Torah portion begins with Moshe’s final blessing of his people. The Torah introduces this blessing with the words: “This is the blessing that Moshe, the man of G-d, blessed the children of Israel.”
