Vayishlach. Yaakov's Procrastination
Sometimes we know what we should do but its hard to bring ourselves to do it.
Sometimes we don't even know why.
Vayetze. Which Yeshiva Did Yaakov Attend?
We grow up on our parents' Judaism but it isn't sufficient. We need to move away, to reexamine and to reconstruct our own religious world.
Vayechi. The Miracles that Surround Us
"Earning a livelihood is greater than redemption": Usually we see divine protection (a.k.a redemption) in the hands of God, beyond
Vayigash. Embarrassment. Judaism's Fourth Cardinal Sin
Murder is a one-time act, but to shame a person is to commit murder over and over.
Miketz. Stockpile Your Blessings!
If bad times can be anticipated, the good times might offer some perspective and resilience.
Vayeshev. When Communication Fails
Israelis often pride themselves in being direct. In Israeli slang, this is called speaking “doogri”, straight talk. Is this good?
Vayishlach. Insignificant Verses - Really?
Maimonides, addressing the divinity of the Torah, says that the verse "Timna was a concubine" is equivalent to "Shema Yisrael!
Vayetze: The Value of Self-Doubt
Because we are only human - like Jacob - we always have a choice to live up to our values or to fall short. We may never become complacent.
Toldot. Living for Today, or for Tomorrow?
"A fool wants only to eat, to drink and to indulge their pleasures in the here and now; not to live with a concern for the future."
Vayera. The Akeida's Contrary Commitments
The contradiction of the Akeida is the tension between “religious obligation” on the one hand, and “human obligation” on the other.
