יום שני, י׳ תשרי תשפ״זMonday, September 21, 2026
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How can the Da’as Zekeinim say this was Hashem’s plan to allow them to become the Torah Nation? We know it was actually a punishment.
A strange midrash of fruit trees surrounding the Nation of Israel as they walked to freedom
Leading by example must be visible, regarding where, when and how-like Nachshon entering the Red Sea
Rabbi Yaakov Nagen, a Ram at Yeshivat Otniel, notes that the verse is suggesting that retelling the story of the Exodus is so important that Hashem is performing ever-greater miracles specifically so that parents can tell their stories to future generations.
Before performing the 10th plague God makes a fundamental argument about the ultimate nature of justice.
How is it possible that the clothing was more valuable to them than gold or silver?
Property ownership is an extremely important and fundamental right and principle according to the Torah.
And if a person can take steps to perform the mitzvah, he should do so (even if he won’t be held accountable for not performing it due to circumstances beyond his control).
Pesach is called "zikaron," a Biblical term used describing an object eliciting a certain memory
Recouping $ and assets from Germans and Swiss for their Holocaust actions is rooted in the Exodus
Three years of war and the loss of one-tenth of Britain's men is not too great a price to pay.
"I put to death and I bring to life, I strike down and I will heal."
It is exactly like that of an animal, with all of the passions and desires necessary to drive man though his daily existence.
The Brisker Rav suggests that the barad, in fact, only fell on people, animals, and vegetation.
The American Jew has forgotten his history. Not the simple stories of life in Europe. Rather, he lost the ability to relive time as part of his own I-awareness, that the past is a relevant part of me.
The plagues don't reveal a God of vengeance but of compassion; after each triplet Egypt can repent
Rabbi Fohrman asks about an interesting name of God and leads a whirlwind tour of modern cosmology
Moshe viewed his speech impediment as part of his core identity and his intrinsic human imperfection
By Joseph Cox
But a rally has no effect on the terrorists themselves. In truth, it validates what they have done.
The midwifes rejecting Pharoah's command is the first recorded incident of civil disobedience
You know that you are strangers in a foreign land. You recognize that you stem from a different culture.
In reality, there is no such thing as an unimportant detail, an unimportant mitzvah.
Why is it necessary to perform an aveirah punishable by lashes in order to be deemed a legal rashah and be pasul l’eidus m’d’Oraisa?
You are up to the task of being the emissary of Hashem, if you choose to. However, the choice is yours.
How did their hatred toward the Jews make their own lives disgusting? It’s the Jews they hated, not themselves.
"He looked this way and that way" means Moses looked within to see whether he was Egyptian or Jewish
God wants man to maximize benefit from Creation only in ways that don’t compromise spiritual health
Rabbi Fohrman explores a midrash about God's names in this week's parsha
Each individual has a unique set of qualities and skills. Some have more abilities and some less.
When Hashem made man, He created two worlds – this world and the World to Come. Each has its purpose.
Why was Yaakov not afraid that granting Yosef’s sons the status of shevatim would cause jealousy among his children?
Rabbi Fohrman addresses the question, "Do we ever feel God's tap on our shoulder?"
When Yaakov asks "Who are these?" he's means “Do my grandchildren identify as Egyptians or Jews?”
Yaakov's blessings to his sons stand as a solution to their particular issues with relationships
By Joseph Cox
Slavery was universal; So, why was Egypt targeted in this object lesson?
Rav Akiva Eiger is assuming that the logic of the halacha that both the son and his mother are obligated to honor his father and therefore he must honor his fathers wishes first, is a mathematical equation.
The first requirement is a king must admit when he is wrong.
Because we see these events as world changing, as moments in history, they become part of us forever.
Rabbi Fohrman explores the question of how God communicates with us today.
What did Yehudah say that was so effective that it convinced Yosef to make himself known?
This ability to remain calm under pressure and continue to see the situation clearly is a hallmark of Yehuda’s leadership.
By Joseph Cox
Yosef proves he is a true leader; He is continually and fully engaged in the task of running Egypt
Though we Jews have deep obligations to all people our obligation to our fellow Jew is unique.
Exploring the connection between Pharaoh's dreams and the story of Joseph being sold into slavery.
Our right to exist and our form of self-government were decided by the ruling parties.
It is clear that Tosafos maintains that only someone who lives in a house must light Chanukah candles.
If Chanukah was simply a commemoration of the miracle of the oil and Menorah, we would be hard pressed to see the connection between the reading from Parshas Nesiim and Chanukah.
Yehuda knew if the moment isn't right or men are unwilling to listen a skilled leader bides his time
This is a recurring theme in this week’s parsha, in which there are many mistakes made based on perception.
"A person should sell even the beams of his own house in order to buy shoes."
If Hashem is watching tzaddikim, why couldn’t He just save Yosef from all the suffering he was about to endure?
Jacob was well aware that the brothers hated Joseph, yet he sent him to them anyway.
But how could there have been any validity to Yosef’s allegations?
Using Joseph's story to understand what non-prophetic communication with God could look like today
The dreams revealed their differences: The butler was active; the baker completely passive.
Yehudah, more suited to the role, became leader and not Yosef- the very public candidate for the job
By Joseph Cox
Yosef is the perfect leader for a people entering exile because he understands their basic needs
If a man owns a successful small business, he might do a million dollars a year in sales. But that is the gross revenue, not the amount he takes home.
He knew that the way to potentially mollify Esau was to insist that he accept his gift, which he finally did.
If one converts for the sole purpose of marrying a Jew the conversion is invalid.
By Joseph Cox
Yaacov returning to Yithak reconnects him with his past, reconnecting him to the legacy of Avraham.
It is difficult to remain faithful in galut, the ultimate Rorschach test for all Jewish generations
Benno Yaakov, the German Jewish commentator, posits Yaakov's limping caused Eisav's change of heart.
Rabbi Fohrman addresses "What is in a name?"
Yaakov encountering Esav is the classic source in dealing with anti-Semites littering our history
By the time Yaakov becomes Yisrael, however, his worldview has changed dramatically.
A person who truly feels that everything is a blessing from G-d will count his blessings and realize just how much he has.
By Joseph Cox
Yaacov returns the stolen blessing of material wealth and physical might to Esav
The Jew, from the perspective of the name Yaakov, is dependent on the non-Jewish world. This can be seen today in the relationship between the State of Israel and the United States
Rashi in Shabbos 9b writes that the reason why the tefillah of Ma’ariv is a reshus is because it was instituted corresponding to the burning of the eimurim from the korbanos – which was performed at night.
It almost sounds as if Hashem is saying, “I have to keep Yaakov from getting too comfortable; otherwise he will forget Me. I can’t promise him sustenance because then he won’t need Me. He won’t write. He won’t call. He won’t love Me anymore.”
Jacob cries, overcome by the knowledge that his great love for Rachel will end in unbearable pain.
There's a perfect mirror between Jacob running away from Esav to when he reunites with his brother.
Yitzhak called you Esav and you answered him, then he called you Yaakov and you also answered him!”
Yitzchak thought the Jewish people needed dual leadership: Eisav the physical; Yaakov the spiritual
By Rachel Weiss
According to the Sefer Yetzirah, the nature of the month of Kislev is sleep.
Not every child can live up to our hopes or expectations, but every child is loved by Hashem.
Leaders must always pay attention to the importance of timing.
By Joseph Cox
While our leaders have been shepherds, the vast majority of the Children of Israel were farmers.
Ramban interprets Korban as self-sacrifice, each Jew should attempt to recreate Akeidas Yitzchak.
Why does Lavan’s speaking before his father show that he was wicked? Disrespectful, yes. Rude, certainly. But a rasha?
We find that in certain circumstances before the Torah was actually given, people were permitted to make calculations as to what would better serve Hashem, even if it were against a mitzvah or aveirah.
Looking at examples of the word "toldot" to argue we produce not only children but vision and legacy
A sense of innovation or assertion in Yitzchak’s life is found in one area – spirituality.
We must understand the power and impact of our actions.
If you're always battling against getting older, you're always going to be unhappy.
The implication of the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 233:2) is that one may not daven Minchah before six and one half hours into the day.
Perhaps deep down Eliezer did hesitate. In his heart of hearts, he may not have wanted to succeed.
This complementary nature and unified destiny is the basis of the Covenantal Community.
What happened was that Frank Jr. stopped being the little babe looking with love into his father’s eyes, and the relationship took on a very different nature.
By Joseph Cox
This week's parsha is the archetype of our connection to G-d in a world where His presence is hidden
Racheli Frankel: "I didn’t think they were thrown just anywhere. The tears of Hebron embraced them”
What is the surprising connection between Eliezer and Samuel? Find out with Rabbi David Fohrman
Defenders of “The Shidduch System” cite that Yitzchak loved Rivka after they got married, not before
Avraham was asked to nullify his identity, by fulfilling the opposite of what he believed right.
Is it possible a man could be standing in a burning building, knowing this life is in danger, and be too lazy to move?
If I appoint someone as Shatz, he is supposed to pray for me, as if I was praying.
Some Rishonim are bothered by the opinion of the Rambam that bnei Noach are commanded not to eat basar min hachai.
The story of Vayeira is a basis for our slavery and ultimate exodus from Egypt.
September 18, 2026 
