December 2021

Soon after our forefather Yaakov (Jacob) descended to Egypt to commence the first Jewish national exile, he met the Pharaoh. “And Pharaoh said to Yaakov,… Read More »Balanced Perspective

In one of the most dramatic episodes of the Torah, this week’s portion tells us how Yoseph breaks the news that he is not just… Read More »Heartspeak

Friday Night THE BIG PICTURE Zoominar continues this Tuesday, b”H. You can register at any time by writing to pinchasw@thirtysix.org. IT’S TIME TO talk about… Read More »Achdus Again

At the beginning of this week’s reading, Joseph seems to be in a hopeless situation. Not only has he been separated from his family, sold… Read More »Chanukah is Breaking News

(Middle of Law 7, beginning quoted in previous class) If [the Torah scholar] sees his words will benefit [others] and be heard, he should say… Read More »Chapter 5, Law 7(b) – Understanding Man, Part I

The Money Returned When Yoseif — in disguise — accuses his brothers, they take it to heart. “We are guilty; we saw the pain of… Read More »Lessons from the Avos

These divrei Torah were adapted from the hashkafa portion of Rabbi Yissocher Frand’s Commuter Chavrusah Series on the weekly portion: #1229 – Which Is Better:… Read More »It’s Not the Lottery Number — It’s the Man

Go to Yosef. Do whatever he tells you to do.[2] What did Yosef tell them? Rashi cites Chazal: He told them to circumcise themselves. At… Read More »Pitying the Spiritual Have-Nots

During the festival of Chanukah we insert into the Shemoneh Esrai a special declaration of thanks to Hashem. The main emphasis of this prayer, the… Read More »A Superficial Light

Hillel said, do not separate from the community, do not trust yourself till the day you die, do not judge your fellow until you reach… Read More »Chapter 2, Mishna 5(b): Fighting G-d’s Wars