Rabbi's Weekly Message
Perashat Bo 5777
Friday, February 03, 2017n this week’s perasha, Bo, we read about the Yessiat Missrayyim – the Exodus from Egypt. The perasha also records the first missva given to the Jewish people prior to the Exodus, namely, kiddush haHodesh, the sanctification of the new moon. The question is asked: Why was this the first missva given to the Jewish people? ...
Read more...Perashat Shemot 5777
Friday, January 20, 2017A change in leadership usually ushers in good tidings. In ancient times where monarchies ruled, this change usually occurred when the monarch died and either his brother or son sat on the throne or when there was a Coup d'Etat and the monarch was deposed either peacefully or violently. In our time, where many countries practice democracy, a transfer of power usually takes place peacefully and in an orderly fashion. We are fortunate enough to live in the United States where such a transfer of power is peaceful and orderly. To arrive, however, at a transfer of power, may include a long drawn campaign of verbal violence, intimidation, name calling etc. ...
Read more...Perashat Vayehi 5777
Friday, January 13, 2017There are traditions and laws handed down from generation to generation regarding how a Sefer Torah is written. It is customary that between every Perasha there is always a space of one line, and between Humashim (books) there are several lines of space. In Perashat Vayehi, there is no space at all. It continues on the same line as the previous Perasha. This is quite unique as it is the only Perasha in the entire Torah written that way; in a sealed fashion. Our Sages explain, that after the death of Ya’akob, the hearts of the Children of Israel were sealed in expectation of the suffering and despair of the impending bondage. ...
Read more...Perashat Vayigash 5777
Friday, January 06, 2017A turning point in early Jewish History takes place in this week’s Perashat Vayigash. The center of action changes from the Land of Israel to Egypt. After residing for 22 years in the Land of Israel, Ya’akob moves southward toward Egypt to see his beloved son Yoseph. Accompanying Ya’akob were all his children and grandchildren - totaling seventy people - including Yoseph and his children! ...
Read more...Perashat Mikess 5777
Friday, December 30, 2016Throughout our lives, we often witness incidents that are contrary to reason and logic. We sometimes wonder how could something actually be happening, is it real or is it a dream? Is it magical or mystical? Of course, quite often the problem lies not in the reality of the phenomenon, but in our own perception and understanding of what is going on around us. However, there are times when events occur against all logic and reason. ...
Read more...Perashat Vayesheb 5777
Friday, December 23, 2016This week's perasha, Vayesheb, relates the famous story of the "Sale of Joseph." It was by way of this episode that Jacob and his entire household eventually came to sojourn in Egypt, which ultimately lead to the enslavement of the Israelite people. ...
Read more...Perashat Vayishlah 5777
Friday, December 16, 2016It is said that when an important person leaves a place or comes into a place, he/she makes an impression. When he/she leaves a place, their absence clearly is felt. They will be missed and they will have left a lot of memories. When they come into a place, they also make an impression due to their behavior and dignity....
Read more...Perashat Vayesse 5777
Friday, December 09, 2016In last week's perasha, we learned that Ya'akob received the blessings of his father Yisshak, and was sent to his uncle Laban's home in Padan Aram (a.k.a. Haran) in order to marry a proper woman and secure his future. In actuality, Ya'akob was fleeing from his brother Esav, fearing for his life after having secured the "special" blessings that were originally intended for Esav. Perashat Vayesse opens with Ya'akob's departure from the Land of Cana'an and the beginning of his journey to his uncle Laban's home in Haran. ...
Read more...Perashat Toledot 5777
Friday, December 02, 2016In Perashat Toledot, we read how G-d’s Covenant with Abraham was renewed with Yisshak Abinu. Like Abraham Abinu, the Covenant with Yisshak also includes promises of progeny, the Land of Cana’an, as well as the special promise that it will be through his own progeny that the nations of the earth shall be blessed. Rabbi Haim Sabato argues that the latter promise is an indication that the ‘nations of the land’ will not view Yisshak and his family as interlopers in the land. Indeed, Rabbi Sabato maintains that the full covenant with Yisshak Abinu was already realized during his own lifetime, for it was he who was able to remain in the land, and who was blessed with progeny and relative peace. All these things, however, were not achieved by Yisshak through natural means, but rather as a result of his Covenant with G-d and his many prayers. ...
Read more...Perashat Haye Sarah 5777
Friday, November 25, 2016We have been hearing plenty about equal rights for women, equal work and equal pay. Mostly importantly, we have been hearing about “breaking the glass ceiling” and its significance and implications. So much hope and expectation was placed on this slogan, that it became a “call for action” and a “cause célèbre” for many Americans, hoping to see the “first woman President” in the USA. As the results of the election came in, it was a great disappointment to many, to not see the “glass ceiling being broken”. If disappointment was not enough, “safe places”, “crying corners”, “counselling sessions”, “group therapy” and even “Shiba’a sitting” took place. This was an unprecedented, super-exaggerated reaction to the disappointment of not “breaking the glass ceiling”. It is not, as thought, as great a tragedy, such as a devastating earthquake that killed thousands of people, a Tsunami, or a Hurricane, that destroyed an entire swath of cities, or a war that has killed over a half million people, or a Holocaust. Simply put, this was only a case of a woman not winning the election, all in the name of “breaking the glass ceiling”. ...
Read more...Dec 21 2024
Kislev 20 5785