- Shabbat Vayishlah 5784
After all the practical and emotional preparation that went into his encounter with Esav after 20 years of estrangement, you can imagine that Ya’akov figured he was entitled to some peace and quiet. The Torah narrates that this expectation is fulfilled: “Vayavo Ya’akov shalem ‘ir Shekhem–Jacob arrived safe in the city of Shekehm…” (Genesis 33:18). ...
- Shabbat Toldot 5784
Yitzhak suffers from Middle Patriarch Syndrome. In most of the Torah’s narrative about him, he is passive, primarily acted upon. Think of the Akedah, in which is literally bound to an altar, and the story of Rivkah and Ya’akov deceiving him into giving the blessing to the younger of his twin sons. But this week’s Torah ...
- Shabbat Hayei-Sarah 5784
Though Avraham has just buried his beloved wife Sarah, the Torah anticipates his final years as truly golden. “Avraham was now old, advanced in years; and the LORD had blessed Avraham in all things” (Genesis 24:1). The Hebrew word translated as “in all things” is bakol. Of course, the narrative that follows focuses on the one ...
- Shabbat Vayera 5784
Last week, we learned about the entourage that accompanied Avram and Sarai as they made their way toward the Promised Land. Commenting on the phrase about that entourage, “and the persons they had acquired in Haran” (Genesis 12:5), Rashi described these people–literally nefesh, “souls,” as the newest converts to the belief in one God. “ ...
- Shabbat Lekh-Lekha 5784
If you hear or read anyone saying that Judaism has a clear teaching that should be guiding Israel’s strategy to secure the release of the more than 220 people held hostage in Gaza, you should be deeply skeptical. That’s because there is no way that such a complex moral issue can have one clear answer. ...
