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Plague after devastating plague, G-d wreaks unspeakable havoc upon Egypt, leaving no stone unturned as He shows Pharaoh who’s the boss. In the midst of this unravelling of the warp and woof of creation, why does G-d give to Israel the sighting of the new moon as the first commandment for them to perform?
Bo (Exodus 10:1-13:16)
Parashat Bo is read on Shabbat:
Shvat 4, 5772/January 28, 2012
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G-d will not be denied. He will redeem His people and His voice will be heard, even in the cacophony of the frogs croaking from inside the bellies of Pharaoh and his crew.
Va’era (Exodus 6:2-9:35)
Parashat Va’era is read on Shabbat:
Tevet 26, 5772/January 21, 2012
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Pharaoh employed sundry stratagems to uproot and destroy the children of Israel, chillingly reminiscent of recent and contemporary programs to annihilate Israel. Yet, despite it all, Israel abides. But why did G-d put Israel in Egypt? What was the Egyptian exile all about?
Shemot (Exodus 1:1-6:1)
Parashat Shemot is read on Shabbat:
Tevet 19, 5772/January 14, 2012
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When Yaakov asks of Yosef “Who are these?” it is not because his eyes are dim or that he does not know Yosef’s sons intimately. It is because in his prophetic mind’s eye he see the boys’ greatness in the future redemption of Israel, which is taking place today. His words are not a question but an exclamation of sublime joy and approval.
Vayechi (Genesis 47:28-50:26)
Parashat Vayechi is read on Shabbat:
Tevet 12, 5772/January 7, 2012
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His brothers were in shock when Yosef said “I am Yosef,” thereby removing from their eyes the blinders preventing them from seeing
G-d’s presence in every moment and in every action. So startled were they that they could not respond, they could not comprehend. Their souls left them. How much greater would be the shock were G-d to reveal His presence to us in one single moment. Therefore He reveals His great light one glimpse at a time, even as the Geula redemption marches ever forward.
Vayigash (Genesis 44:18-47:27)
Parashat Vayigash is read on Shabbat:
Tevet 5, 5772/December 31, 2011
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How strong is the bond between a parent and a child? A father and a son? Yaakov could not be comforted by Yosef’s loss. Just what did Yaakov 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 28, 5772/December 24, 2011
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The high drama of parashat Vayeshev comes to teach us two things, which are really only one: We must be ever ready to take upon ourselves the task that G-d has chosen for us, and our time on this earth is not for our own leisure, but to realize the role that G-d has intended for us.
Vayeshev (Genesis 37:1-40:23)
Parashat Vayeshev is read on Shabbat:
Kislev 21, 5772/December 17, 2011
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