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Weekly Torah
When Ya’akov and Yosef reunite after seventeen years of separation, Yosef weeps while Ya’akov recites the shema prayer, (“Hear O Israel, HaShem our G-d, HaShem is One”). Was Ya’akov being distant? Cold? On the contrary. By saying the shema at the moment of his reunion with his son, Ya’akov was including his love for G-d with his love for Yosef. For there is no love outside the love of HaShem. HaShem’s love encompasses all.
Vayigash (Genesis 44:18-47:27)
Parashat Vayigash is read on Shabbat:
Tevet 4, 5771/December 11, 2010
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How strong is the bond between a parent and a child? A father and a son? Ya’akov could not be comforted by Yosef’s loss. Just what did Ya’akov know concerning Yosef’s apparent demise? Why was there a “conspiracy of silence” surrounding Yosef’s disappearance?
Miketz (Genesis 41:1-44:17)
Parashat Miketz is read on Shabbat:
Kislev 27, 5771/December 4, 2010
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Have you ever felt utterly and completely alone? Yosef must have. He was separated from his loving father and his brothers wanted to kill him. Ultimately he was thrown in a pit filled with scorpions and snakes and then sold to some passing Ishmaelites, who in turn sold him into slavery. Yet we’re never alone, and if our hearts are turned to G-d, we will identify His fingerprint upon our lives.
Vayeshev (Genesis 37:1-40:23)
Parashat Vayeshev is read on Shabbat:
Kislev 20, 5771/November 27, 2010
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Ya’akov avinu’s (our forefather Jacob’s) midnight encounter with a mysterious angel: Who was this angel, what was his purpose, and by what name was he known? Ya’akov overcomes the angel, and by doing so gains insight into all these questions. He also acquires for himself a new name, a new identity, and a new role to play in establishing the Divine presence here on this earth.
Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4-36:43)
Parashat Vayishlach is read on Shabbat:
Kislev 13, 5771/November 20, 2010
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” …and he took some of the stones of the place and placed them at his head, and he lay down in that place.” (Genesis 28:11) What was “that place,” and what was the nature of those stones that Ya’akov gathered together, and which, upon his awakening from his dream of a House of G-d, formed a single stone, which became the very “foundation stone” upon which all creation is established? And how could the “foundation stone” upon which the entire world rests find itself in that place and at that very moment when Ya’akov chose to take his sleep? It was Ya’akov’s consecration of the stone with olive oil that made the transformation possible.
Vayeitzei (Genesis 28:10-32:3)
Parashat Vayeitzei is read on Shabbat:
Kislev 6, 5771/November 13, 2010
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The work of the patriarchs, Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov was to establish in this world an eternal bond between man and G-d. Toldot chronicles the struggle for supremacy between two radically different approaches toward leadership: the way of Yaakov, and the way of Esav. Esav excelled in so many ways he seemed a natural for the part. And after all, he was the first-born. There was but one thing missing from Esav’s understanding of life: the fear and the acknowledgment of G-d. Forever stymied by his own egotistical take on life, Esav languished, while Yaakov assumed the mantle of leadership
Toldot (Genesis 25:19-28:9)
Parashat Toldot is read on Shabbat:
Cheshvan 29, 5771/November 6, 2010
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The celebration and the sanctification of life are the keys to the gates of the Garden of Eden through which we can pass into life eternal.
Chayei Sara (Genesis 23:1-25:18)
Parashat Chayei Sara is read on Shabbat: Cheshvan 22, 5771/October 30, 2010
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