torah

Our Sages describe the enormous shul in Alexandria, Egypt. It was so big that the congregants seated at the back of the shul could not… Read More »Microphones

In Parshas Vayishlach the story of the abduction of Dina takes place. This episode begins by telling us of how Dina had ‘gone outside’, thus… Read More »Purity of Thought in a Deed

I have become unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. For I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but… Read More »What Yaakov Feared

“So shall you say to my master to Eisav, ‘Thus said your servant Ya’akov, “I have sojourned with Lavan, and I have tarried until now.… Read More »Loving Help

BS”D Volume 35, No. 8 19 Kislev 5781 December 5, 2020 At the beginning of this week’s Parashah, Yaakov prepares to meet Esav for the… Read More »It’s Okay to be Afraid

One of the more perplexing questions that is raised in this week’s Torah reading is why Yaakov sends agents and messengers to Eisav to inform… Read More »Making Peace with the Past

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