torah

“A lion cub is Yehudah; from the prey, my son, you elevated yourself…” (49:9) When the brothers brought Yosef’s bloody tunic before Yaakov, he exclaimed… Read More »Capital Decision

(Insights[1] from this week’s Portion: Vayechi) This Week’s RRR (Relevant Religious Reference): “May G-d Make you like Ephraim & Menashe” – from the “Blessing of… Read More »A Blessing on your Head, Mazel Tov Mazel Tov

People usually learn from their mistakes. It seems, albeit on the surface, that our father Yaakov does not. The Talmud in Shabbos 10b explains: “As… Read More »Mixed Blessings

I – A Calculated Risk Goes AwryAsara B’Teves commemorates the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem that would ultimately result in churban bayis rishon (the destruction of… Read More »10th of Tevet – An Avoidable Siege

At one point during the Purim story, Mordechai decided to try and find out if he would be victorious in his struggle. He asked three… Read More »A Message from Above

Question 93 As an attorney, due to certain circumstances, there are times when a client won’t benefit from the time I spend on the case.… Read More »Lawyer Billing For Non-Useful Time

The subject of this class is “challah” – one of three special mitzvot given by Hashem to Jewish women – the other two being Shabbat… Read More »Bread Larger Than Life

Yaakov sent malachim ahead of him to his brother Esav… (Bereshith 32:4) The previous essay mentioned that Yaakov sent Divine emissaries instead of human ones,… Read More »Defensive Maneuvers

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

In this week’s reading, we study the reunion of Jacob and his son Joseph after 22 years of separation. Joseph, who rose from slavery and… Read More »A Spiritual Opportunity Knocks