Monthly Archives: November 2018

“Vayeshev” (sitting) in Darkness (with a twinkling light far away….)

In the opening verse of this week’s Torah portion is says: א וַיֵּשֶׁב יַעֲקֹב, בְּאֶרֶץ מְגוּרֵי אָבִיו–בְּאֶרֶץ, כְּנָעַן. 1 And Jacob dwelt in the land of his father’s sojourning, in the land of Canaan. There are two verbs to describe … Continue reading

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No Hollywood in Jacob’s journey – 3 shorts on Parashat Vayishlach

It’s a glorious sunny day in NYC, bright and beautiful. And 30 degrees. Fahrenheit. Need to layered up some, and remember that things are not always as they seem. In the Torah portion of Vayishlach, Jacob is traveling back after … Continue reading

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Two Jacobs, One Yisrael – Vayetze

Leaving NYC in the height of its first seasonal snowstorm, we land in Oakland CA, where the sky is a hazy pinkish-white with air quality ranking “the worst in the world”. There’s a strong recommendation not to leave indoor spaces, … Continue reading

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Next up, “the future”

Last week Yitzchak (Isaac) brought Rivkah (Rebecca) into his mother’s tent in what seems to be a sweet gesture: ויבאה יצחק האהלה שרה אמו ויקח את־רבקה ותהי־לו לאשה ויאהבה וינחם יצחק אחרי אמו Isaac brought her into the tent of … Continue reading

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In the Land of Yitzchak & Yishma’el

This week’s reading, Chayey Sarah – “The Life of Sarah”, opens with Sarah’s death, and Abraham seeking to purchase for her a burial place, achuzat kever. Rabbi Hirsch (19th century Germany) shares a beautiful explanation, and so he writes: “To … Continue reading

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