יום שבת, י״ג חשוון תשפ״זSaturday, October 24, 2026
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Chanukah celebrates those willing to provoke the Greeks & prod the Jewish people from their slumber.
Is Vayeishev,this weeks parsha, a chapter in Genesis or an episode of Game of Throne?!
Tamar initiates the process, opening Yehudah’s eyes to her essence; “clothes don’t make the (wo)man"
The Mesilas Yesharim (Chapter 1) explains that our purpose in this world is to gain entry into the World to Come. The medium for that is Torah and mitzvos, for which one can only achieve reward in this world.
People have 1 name because it supposedly reflects identity. What if a person has a double identity?
We must re-focus our priorities & our communal resources from Jewish defense to Jewish spirituality
We’re the westernmost Jewish community on the planet (!) thus always “wrapping it up” for Klal Yisroel by making the last kiddush or havdalla, lighting the last Menorah, etc.
The answer to this question can best be understood with a perspective on capitalism.
Jewish history is the story of exile. Jacob blazed the trail for the Jews in exile.
Of course Hashem still cares for His people and can still perform miracles.
In any event, how do we explain the fact that Hashem changed Avraham’s name entirely but merely added another name to Yaakov’s?
By making two lists-Details & Foundations-you will find your Thanks will become an act of Giving.
Join us as we consider the story of the Rape of Dina with the respect and understanding it deserves.
I told her that I could teach him the brachos to make on the Torah, he could get an aliyah, and in addition, I would help him write a short dvar Torah from the parsha.
How is it possible that Yaakov didn't know he spent his wedding night with Leah rather than Rachel?
Yaakov Avinu wasn’t afraid that he would learn to steal because of Lavan; he was afraid that his image of what is considered normal behavior might be affected.
A neis b'nistar causes a reduction in one’s zechuyos; therefore, one should not daven for it.
What did Jacob mean when he realized the sanctity of the place he slept and declared it to be the House of G-d, Beit Elokim?
Of all the many fathers-in-law in the Bible, only Yitro & Lavan are singled out for this designation
What is the Bible trying to teach us with this focus on Jacob and the theme of deception?
Eisav was born with great spiritual potential but he made a number of wrong choices.
It seems to me that the practice of the Arizal is exactly what the Sfas Emes is noting and presents a balanced yet deeply spiritual teaching that is vital to internalize.
Children knew their place, and the idea of a child speaking back to an adult was unheard of.
It seems clear from this explanation that time spent in heaven does not constitute time in regards to aging and other time-related calculations in this world.
After Abraham verified that Rebecca was indeed a worthy wife for Isaac, the Torah says, “vayiten Avraham lYitzchak,” Abraham transferred the tradition to Isaac.
In the tales of Isaac one thing becomes apparent: He's rarely the main character in his own stories!
Yehuda & Yosef are the tikun (repairing) for Yaakov, who deceived his father and suffered for it.
Ever wondered why the least funny Jew in the entire Torah should be named Yitchak, “He Laughed?”
By Rachel Weiss
His dilemma weighed heavily on him, even as he was in the process of burying a poor departed soul.
All too often leaders fail to consider adequately the importance of logistics and their organizations suffer as a consequence.
Heeding the Rebbe’s call, in the spring of 1998, my wife Nechoma and I, with our two young children, Mendel and Mussie, departed from LaGuardia Airport and took off to the buckle of the Bible Belt – Oklahoma City.
Avraham identifies himself as a ger toshav meaning "alien resident." How could Avraham be both?
No longer does Frank dream about spending time with his child, no longer does he yearn for that relationship. What happened?
Preparation for prayer must be commensurate with the type of prayer offered.
The fruits and grain that the non-Jews had planted and toiled on belonged to them.
At the beginning of this week's parsha, Rashi informs us that Sarah's death was no accident, but rather a result of hearing about Avraham almost sacrificing her beloved only son, Yitzchak. Based on the midrash, Rashi explains that the terrifying image of such a scene was more than she could handle. Though Sarah would almost […]
In our journey to understand the epic legacy of Abraham and Isaac, the stories of their actions and attributes are abruptly cut short by the urgent quest to find Isaac a worthy wife - welcome to the team, Rebecca. Clearly the text is trying to teach us that there is something unique and essential about […]
The struggle of living both in the spiritual & physical worlds is our mission & potential greatness
Both portions deal with God’s promises to Avraham; Lech Lecha is nationalistic, Vayeira is universal
What does the odd bargaining session between Abraham & God mean? What does it teach about Abraham?
The Shita Mekubetzes there asks why the Gemara did not cite a source to permit the consumption of milk from a pasuk in this week’s parsha.
Avraham spent his life emulating Hashem. Every waking moment of his existence was focused on making himself as much like Hashem as humanly possible.
Perhaps G-d’s approval of Abraham's emphasis of kavod habriyot can be found in the subsequent verses (Genesis 18:19).
The greatest impact of an individual is generally felt when he acts as part of the larger community.
In this week's parsha, what do we learn about the intense power Abraham had to influence others?
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
HaShem waited while Abraham attended to his visitors before discussing with him the fate of Sodom.
When one is able to serve G-d and feel connected with Him on an emotional level, it is far greater than one who merely has an intellectual and rational connection.
Avraham Avinu is the first Jew and the first human being to take moral responsibility for himself and his surroundings.
The 1st commandment given to proto-Israelite nation, through our patriarch Abraham, is circumcision
It is important to appreciate Terah, the foundation from which the patriarchs and matriarchs emerged
It seems that in an attempt to portray gedolim as great, we have made them non-human – angels just barely wearing human form.
Circumcision and the Sabbath/Festivals are both classified as otot (signs) of our relationship with G-d.
If everything depends on the final test, the Sacrifice of Yitzchok, why give Avraham other trials?
Chazal teach that while Ephraim stayed and learned under Yaakov, Menashe helped Yosef run the kingdom.
I believe one of our questions can be answered by noting that Avraham was only commanded not to marry a gentile or a maidservant in Bereishis 17:7 – after he was already married to Hagar for 13 years.
The Jewish people's love for their land is under assault, whether by Arab terror or UNESCO treachery
By Tzvi Fishman
What should one learn from the first words that G-d says to Avraham: Go to the Land of Israel!
Even in the most drastic of circumstances, a Jew can never be written off completely and one must even be willing to endure total mesirus nefesh for another’s sake.
Noah's children teach different responses to being disappointed by someone dear-or even God Himself
The more a person grows, the more clearly he relates to his spiritual side, and the less the Nefesh Ha’Bahami clouds his vision.
It was only after permission was granted to eat animals that man was permitted to fully own animals.
Unfortunately, the new world that Adam attempted to start through Seth became corrupted.
Examining the frequent failures of humanity in this parsha and how they set the scene for Abraham.
The remarkable gift of unity should be a powerful tool to further mankind and to further God’s will.
Rashi said Noah was lacking in faith. His faith in God wasn't weak, his self-faith was lacking
And Adom said, “The woman that you placed with me, she gave me from the tree and I ate.” — Bereishis 3:12 Adom HaRishon was given one mitzvah: not to eat from the Eitz HaDas. When he transgressed it, Hashem gave him the opportunity to do teshuvah. Not only did Adom not repent, he […]
By Rachel Weiss
Each month of the Jewish year is associated with a letter of the Lashon Hakodesh.
Birds, which were created on the fifth day, can accept tumah when they become food.
Apparently, the perseverance demonstrated in multiple attempts at creating an acceptable world is an example of an important characteristic of Hashem that man must emulate, based on the precept of V’Halachta B’Drachav
Every Jew is required to try to influence the world in a positive way.
In every leadership situation there are basic gauges and indicators that must never be ignored.
Constantly investing energy safeguarding separation, life & world is man's participating in creation
Truly understanding the hidden meaning in Parshat Bereishit will provide insight to the entire Torah
Creation is everlasting in the sense that all of us add brushstrokes & notes-that is its perfection
What is the world? Bereshit’s answer: The world is “creativity.”
After all, many sinners live in mansions, and in the post-Holocaust era it’s impossible to conclude that those who suffered sinned.
‘God doing exactly as He planned’ does not mean that all occurred without any ambivalence & tension.
Tosafos quotes an explanation from R’ Meshulem that the halacha requires that the one who is called up to the Torah for those pesukim must read them himself and cannot have a baal korei read them for him.
‘You shall dwell in booths (sukkos) for seven days because I caused the Jewish People to dwell in booths when I took them from the land of Egypt.’
Judaism stipulates that not only does Hashem reveal Himself to the prophets, but to all creation.
If you were the most generous, loving person in the world, and you were completely devoted to help me, if my time on this planet is up there is nothing that you can do to change that; any human is powerless to change my destiny.
Are we, through our prayers, able to convince God to change the course of history?
Why is Sukkot deemed the ultimate holiday of happiness and joy?
The Sukkah is the place from which we venture into the world, applying Torah to all aspects of life.
For the most part, we don’t usually experience a great revelation from performing a mitzvah.
The common theme between these two situations is that they are defined as acts of Kabbalat Ol Malchut Shamayim, accepting the yoke of Heaven.
“More than what the rich man does for the poor man is what the poor man does for the rich man” (Midrash Rabbah, Rus 5:9).
Haazinu encourages Jews in times of national emergency & documents our eternal connection to God
Rabbi Fohrman delves into psalm 90 connecting it to stories from Torah & the building of the Mishkan
Said the Ba’al Shem Tov “God is also crying. For as much as He looks for us, we rarely look for Him”
Consider this: Why should Hashem accept our teshuva when we often repeat the same aveiros year after year?
Rambam says that when the sinner approaches Hashem he expresses Chatati Aviti Pashati; I think I am Mayzid but perhaps I acted B’Shogeg.
The answer to the question on Rashi seems to be that the namesakes of the shevatim were in fact men of unimaginable greatness,
The Minchas Chinuch writes that although it seems that gathering in the Beis Hamikdash is necessary, perhaps the mitzvah can be performed anywhere in Yerushalayim.
The precision required and the time constraints imposed make the High Priest’s task almost humanly impossible.
How did Moses feel approaching the land of Israel, knowing he wouldn’t enter Israel with his people?
Moshe's message lives on forever: Life's potential is a very lofty goal that we must strive to reach
You might argue that in truth it is not a prayer; rather, it is a statement, affirmation and declaration of fact that one day we will see the cities and streets of Yerushalayim full of ecstasy.
The story of Bilam, the gentile prophet, is most peculiar. It begins when Balak, the king of Moav, recognizes that he is in danger. The Jewish nation had just destroyed Sichon, and Moav was next. Out of desperation, Balak sent messengers to Bilam saying, “Please, curse this nation so that we can remain in our […]
The second covenant between Abraham and Hashem included the obligation to observe the commandments.
October 23, 2026 
