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Category: Beraishis

Dec 31

Bounce Back!

The Torah tells us that Yehuda was the only one of Yaacov’s children able to convince Yaacov to entrust him to bring Binyamin to Egypt and return him safely home. When Binyamin was accused of stealing Yosef’s goblet, it was Yehuda who stood up to Yosef, leading Yosef to finally reveal himself to his brothers. …

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Dec 24

Oh Boy!

Almost every year Parsha Mikeitz is host to Chanukah and we read the Haftorah connected to Chanukah themes. This overrides the Haftorah that is associated with the theme of Miketz which concerns dreams. Last week, when Parshas Mikeitz was after Chanukah, the Haftorah for Miketz that deals with the famous and intriguing story of King …

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Dec 17

Small Stuff!

A Chanukah thought: The miracle of Chanukah has two aspects to it. The first, that the few Macabbes were able to defeat the mighty Greek army and regain and rededicate the Temple in Jerusalem enabling the Jews to regain their religious freedom. The second, that when rededicating the Temple the Kohanim found a flask of …

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Dec 09

Miracles!

The Torah relates that Yosef was sold as a slave to Potifar, the head butcher of the Pharoh. Yosef was very handsome and Zelaicha, his master’s wife, continually tried to get his attention. However, the Torah attests that Yosef remained holy and pure. The Torah relates that one day Zelaicha entrapped Yosef to sleep with …

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Dec 03

Drama!

This week’s Parsha talks about a dramatic event. Yaacov initiated a meeting with his hateful brother Aisav after being separated for more than thirty years. Yaacov was well aware of Aisav’s deeply entrenched hatred towards him and in preparation for this encounter he prayed for Heavenly assistance. He also sent lavish gifts to appease Aisav, …

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Nov 26

Ups and Downs!

Dreams are intriguing. The Torah depicts a few dreams and they usually fall into two categories. One type is a directive, such as the dream of King Avimelech, where G-d tells him not to go near our matriarch Rivka. So too, the dream of Lavan, where G-d tells him not to harm his son-in-law, Yaacov. …

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Nov 19

Outward Appearances!

The Torah relates that our patriarch Yitzchok, together with our matriarch Rivka, had twin boys, Yaacov and Aisav. Rashi tells us that Aisav was born full of hair like an adult. People were amazed and as a result they named him, “Asu – he is complete.” Rashi tells us that Yaacov was given his name …

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Nov 12

A Giant!

This past week, the Jewish people lost one of its great leaders, a giant of a humble man, Rabbi Dovid Feinstein o.b.m. Reb Dovid was the son of the venerable Sage and Halachik authority Rabbi Moshe Feinstein o.b.m. and he assumed that role upon his father’s passing. Reb Dovid was the address and phone number …

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Nov 05

Nick of Time!

The ultimate test of our forefather Avraham’s devotion to G-d was when G-d appeared to him and instructed him to offer his son on an altar. The Torah describes how Avraham swiftly set out on the journey from Be’er Sheva to the area of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, traveling with his son Yitzchok, Yishmael …

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Oct 29

At the Helm!

After G-d sent the great flood to destroy the world, what was left of mankind was only Noach, his three sons, Shem, Cham and Yefes and their wives. The world became populated through Noach’s three sons. The Semitic nations emerged from Shem. In fact, Shem was a righteous person and lived a very long life. …

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