Monthly Archives: December 2014

Parsha Vayigash: A Torah of Not Knowing

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The parsha (Torah portion) we read this shabbat is called Vayigash and means, “And he approached,” because our parsha starts with Yehuda (Judah) approaching Yoseph. If you recall from the previous week, Yehuda had promised to safely return Benyamin to Yaakov (Jacob) and then Yoseph’s chalice was found in Benyamin’s bag. The parsha ended with Yoseph telling the brothers that Benyamin was staying as a slave, while the rest of them were free to go. This week’s parsha starts with … Continue reading →

Parsha Meekaytz: A Torah on Blessings

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Welcome to the Hanukah parsha (Torah portion of the week). Isn’t it funny that we always happen to read this same parsha every time Shabbat falls during Hanukah? I wonder how that happens? 😉 Anyway, the parsha is called Meekaytz which means, “From the end,” as in, “And it was from the end of two years…” which is how the parsha begins. Essentially we are two years after the cup-bearer gets his job back and Yoseph has been forgotten in … Continue reading →

Parsha Vayishev: A Torah of Leadership

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Happy Hanukah everyone, This shabbat, we read the parsha (Torah portion) called Vayishev which means, “And he sat,” as in, “And Yaakov (Jacob) sat in the land of the journeys of his father, in the land of Cnaan,” which is the first verse of the parsha. I tend to look at the usage of the word sitting, in the way English uses the word squatting.  Squatting means more than just sitting.  It also means to sit in a place in … Continue reading →

Parsha Vayishlach: A Torah of Remembering

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This week’s parsha (Torah portion) is called Vayishlach, which means, “And he sent.” The parsha begins with Yaakov (Jacob) sending messengers/angels (the same word in Hebrew means both angels and messengers) to his brother telling him he was returning home and asking for favor in Asov’s (Esau) eyes.  When he hears that Asov is coming with 400 men, he gets scared and divides his camp into two, talks with god, and sends lots of gifts to Asov.  The same night … Continue reading →