We read in Parashat Vayishlah the famous story of Yaakob’s wrestle with an angel, whom our Sages identify as “Saro Shel Esav” – Esav’s angel that was sent from the heavens to fight against Yaakob Abinu. The Torah...
The opening verse of Parashat Vayeseh tells, “Va’yeseh Yaakob Mi’Be’er Sheba Va’yelech Harana” – “Yakaob left from Be’er Sheba, and he went to Haran.” Rashi notes that the first half of this verse – “Yaakob left from Be’er...
The Torah tells in Parashat Toledot that Yishak Abinu had special love for Esav because “Sayid Be’fiv” (25:28). Rashi gives two explanations for this phrase: 1) Esav would hunt animals and then bring meat to Yishak;...
Parashat Haye-Sara tells the story of Avraham’s search for a burial plot for his wife, Sara. We read that Avraham purchased the site of Me’arat Ha’machpela in Hevron from a man named Efron, who charged Avraham the exorbitant...
We read in Parashat Vayera about the final of the ten tests that Avraham confronted and withstood – the test of Akedat Yishak, when G-d commanded him to sacrifice his son, Yishak. Avraham complied, proceeding with the...
When G-d first spoke to Avraham and commanded him to leave his homeland and move to what would become known as the Land of Israel, He made several promises, including, “Va’abarechecha Mebarecheka, U’mekelelcha A’or” – “I shall bless those...
The opening verse of Parashat Noah tells us, “Et Ha’Elokim Hit’halech Noah” – that Noah “walked with G-d.” The Seforno (Rav Ovadia Seforno, Italy,1474-1550) explains this to mean that Noah dealt kindly with other people, and sought to...
Whenever an author or artist completes his work, he makes a point of appending his signature to the work. Somewhere on the title page of a book or a corner of a painting, we will find...
The Torah commands us to reside in Sukkot during this holiday in order to remember “that I had Beneh Yisrael reside in Sukkot when I took them from Egypt.” The Gemara (Sukka 11) cites a debate among the...
Many of us find Teshuba to be a difficult, grueling process. We often feel too intimidated to even begin thinking about Teshuba and changing who we are. And yet, ironically enough, the Torah indicates that Teshuba is...