Rabbi Elazar of Modin said, one who desecrates sacred objects, one who disgraces the festivals, one who shames his fellow in public, one who annuls… Read More »Chapter 3, Mishna 15(a): Masking Holiness – Part I
Our father Jacob was a very strong and powerfully physical person. We read of his physical prowess in his previous encounter with the shepherds of… Read More »Out in the Public
This week we read the parsha of Va’yaitzay–“And Yaakov left from Be’er Sheva and went to Charan. [28:10]” In search of a wife, Yaakov headed… Read More »A Time to Be Silent
The Mitzvah: The house of G-d necessitates respect and awe, as the verse proclaims “My Sanctuary you shall fear” (Leviticus 19:30). One could not enter… Read More »Respect of the Sanctuary: On Sacred Ground
If the image of Jacob’s ladder was not the most spectacular prophetic vision ever, it certainly comes close. In his dream, Jacob saw a ladder… Read More »Asleep on Hallowed Ground
After his dream of “The Ladder”, Yaakov (Jacob) finally arrived at his destination of Aram Naharayim, birthplace of his mother, Rivka (Rebecca) and his paternal… Read More »A Perfect Marriage
Let me get straight to the point. After all Yaakov did! at least when he dealt with his charlatan father-in-law, Lavan. You see, Yaakov wanted… Read More »Point of Order
Friday Night THE JOURNEY WAS going to be a long one, 36 years when all said and done. Some people go out east for a… Read More »Ya’akov’s Journey
After Eisav realized that he had lost the brochos intended for him, he indicated his desire to kill his brother Yaakov. (1) Rivka warned Yaakov… Read More »Rivka Imeinu — The Danger of Anger and Hatred
Esau was tired, returning from a day in the field, and he saw his brother Jacob cooking lentils. “Feed me some of this, the red,… Read More »Red, Red, His Name is Red