November 2020

The revenge that there is no revenge worse than it is that the soul will be cut off and will not merit life [in the… Read More »Chapter 8, Law 5(b) – Breaking the Bonds

Fourteen years are missing from the record. When last we saw Jacob, he was fleeing from his home in Beersheba to escape his brother Esau’s… Read More »Fourteen Sleepless Years

Hoshea 12:13 – 14:10 This week’s haftorah is devoted to the Jewish nation’s severe plunge into idolatry. The Judean kingdom ultimately succumbed to the rampant… Read More »Haftorah Commentary Parshas Vayeitzei

And Yaakov said to his brothers, ‘Gather stones!’…” (31:46) After spending twenty years in Charan, Yaakov flees with his family to Eretz Yisroel. Lavan pursues… Read More »Brothers in Arms

And G-d remembered Rachel, and G-d hearkened to her, and He opened her womb. And she conceived and bore a son, and she said, “G-d… Read More »Just Like His Name

This week we read the parsha of Vayaitzay. Yaakov left Beer Sheva, fleeing from Esav’s murderous intentions. On the way, he slept at the place… Read More »Turn, Turn, Turn…

The following is a discussion of Halachic topics related to the Parsha of the week. For final rulings, consult your Rav. You shall spread forth… Read More »Types Of Muktzeh

We are all aware of the famous comment of Rashi on the opening word of this week’s Torah reading: that the departure of a pious… Read More »Power of the Person

Torah is greater than priesthood and kingship, for kingship is acquired with 30 qualities, priesthood is acquired with 24, whereas the Torah is acquired with… Read More »Chapter 6, Mishna 6: Way 38: “Inclining Others”

This Week’s RRR (Relevant Religious Reference): “Do not judge your fellow until you have arrived at his/her place” – Hillel in Ethics of the Fathers… Read More »Trading Places on the Ladder of Life