The exact meaning of the word “haphtarah” is not entirely certain. However, according to Rabbi David Abudraham15 (14th century Spain) all the haphtarah of the year are inextricably bound up with the persecutions…
Vayetze-The rise and fall of empires-Why?The rise and fall of empires-Why? This week’s Torah portion describes Jacob’s vision of a ladder stretching between heaven and earth. As we read in Genesis…
Vayetze-money-moneyAnd behold, a ladder was standing on the ground, and its top reached the Heavens” (Gen. 28:12) SIR Moses Montefiore, an outstanding Jewish figure, international diplomat, great philanthropist of the 19thcentury…
Vayetze -a zaddik needs people of caliber to appreciate his value.The Torah tells us that Yaakov left Be’er Sheva for Charan (Bereishit [Genesis] 28:10).Rashi asks: “Why tell us where is he is leaving from (we know that…
Vayetze – To give a name Rabbi Yitzchak Luria Ashkenazi Ben Shlomo (5294-5332 = 1534-1572 C.E.) the Ari Hakadosh says that parents may be gifted with a small amount of prophecy when they…
Parshat ToldotThe beginning of Parshat Toldot [the Torah portion, Toldot] reintroduces us to the birth of Yitzchak Avinu [our father, Isaac] as it begins to detail his legacy as the second of our forefathers.…
Toledos -Don’t leave it too lateRabbi Shimon ben Gamliel said, “All my days, I did not serve my father with one-hundredth of the honor with which Esav [Esau] served his father. When I…
Toldot – Kibud AvRabbi Shimon ben Gamliel said, “All my days, I did not serve my father with one-hundredth of the honor with which Esav served his father. When I…
THE TRAIT OF EQUANIMITY Hishtavut Hanefesh Our Parasha opens with the following verse: “And Sarah was a hundred and twenty seven years old; these were the years of Sarah’s life.” (Bereishit 23:1). Having reported to…
RebeccaRebecca then took her older son Esau’s best garments which were with her in the house and clothed Jacob her younger son.” (Genesis 27:15) Esau is typically portrayed in negative terms…
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