Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4-36:43) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him, and they wept.” (Gen. 33:4) Years ago, a college classmate provocatively announced that he planned to name his first son “after the most maligned figure in… Continue Reading “Shabbat Shalom” – Vayishlach 5779
Parashat Vayishlach: “For you have struggled with God and with men, and you have prevailed” As Jacob returns to Beit El, a dramatic change occurs. Jacob undergoes a transformation and recognizes that it was G-d who was revealed to him – not angels. It is important for us to recognize this process today as well.… Continue Reading Parshat Vayishlach: “For you have struggled… and you have prevailed”
Parashat Vayetze: Rachel and Leah; Symbiosis and Change The identities, the differences the unavoidable dynamics and the re-interpretations of two of the matriarchs of the Jewish people affects the meaning of motherhood within the consciousness of the Jewish people. by Yonat Lemberger, Principal OTS Oriya High School In Parashat Vayetze, we encounter two women who are… Continue Reading Parshat Vayetze: Rachel and Leah; Symbiosis and Change
Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Vayetze (Genesis 28:10 – 32:3) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and clothing to wear, so that I shall come back to my fathers house in peace, then… Continue Reading “Shabbat Shalom” – Vayetze 5779
Parshat Toldot: Educate your child according to his or her way Equality in education turned Esau into a man of the fields, and turned Jacob into an innocent tent-dweller. These two youths grew up to be very different individuals. Equal education, even within the same household, can’t guarantee equal results. Εducate your child according to his or… Continue Reading Parshat Toldot: Educate your child according to his or her way
Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Toldot (Genesis 25:19 – 28:9) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “And Rebecca spoke to her son Jacob, saying… And now, my son, obey my voice according to which I command you…” (Genesis 27:5,7) One of the many glories of the Bible is that it recognizes the complex personality especially of… Continue Reading “Shabbat Shalom” – Toldot 5779
Parashat Chayei Sarah – You can’t build a future without a past Are historical facts meaningless? Doesn’t historical truth have any value? Parashat Chayei Sarah has a straightforward bottom line: you can’t build a future without a past. by Rabbi Sarel Rosenblatt, Senior Faculty Yeshivat Hesder Beren-Machanaim During an international, interfaith conference in the United States… Continue Reading Parshat Chayei Sarah – You Can’t Build a Future Without a Past
Shabbat Shalom: Parshat Chayei Sarah (Genesis 23:1 – 25:18) By Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Efrat, Israel – “My lord hearken to me: a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between you and me.” (Genesis 23:14) A significant part of this Torah portion deals with Abraham’s purchase of the Hebron grave-site… Continue Reading “Shabbat Shalom” – Chayei Sarah 5779
