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Dec 08

A Kiss!

The Torah describes the dramatic encounter between the two brothers Yaacov and Aisav after decades of separation. Aisav had major issues with Yaacov from the time he received the patriarchal blessing from their father Yitzchok. Aisav’s hatred was so intense that he wished to kill Yaacov. In preparation for this meeting, Yaacov prepared a series …

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Nov 18

Sunrise Sunset!

Last week, the Torah portion described how our forefather Yaacov went to sleep on Mount Moriah and had a prophetic dream. Our Sages teach us that the sun set earlier then its regular time so that Yaacov would go to sleep in that holy place. The Chasam Sofer, Rabbi Moshe Sofer o.b.m. points out that …

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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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Dec 12

Sensitivity!

The Torah relates that Yaacov wanted to marry Rochel, the daughter of Lavan, but being aware of Lavan’s sly and devious nature, he suspected that Lavan would likely switch Rochel with her older sister Leah at the wedding ceremony, so he drew up a contract with Lavan specifying his desire to marry his younger daughter …

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Nov 22

Small Golden Chain!

Our forefather Yaacov struggled and fought with the angel of his hated brother Aisav and overpowered him. The angel changed Yaacov’s name to Yisroel. Yaakov means heel, because he was holding the heel of Aisav when he was born, but the word Yaacov also has a connotation of trickery. The name Yisroel however, connotes superiority. …

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Sep 26

Comforting

(Torah Portion Vayishlach) Comforting The Torah relates that while Yaacov was traveling back to Israel after a long absence, he received the sad news that Devorah, the elderly nursemaid of his mother, passed away. Our Sages infer from the wording of the text, that Yaacov was also notified about his mother Rivka’s death at the …

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Sep 26

Brilliant Stars

(Torah Portion Vayishlach) Brilliant Stars! G-d communicated with our forefathers – Avraham, Yitzchok and Yaacov – likening their future descendants to various things. They were compared to the stars in heaven, to the sand by the seashore and to the dust of the earth. Commentators explain that these three comparisons refer to specific eras and …

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Sep 26

Switched

(Torah Portion Vayishlach) Switched Reuven was the first-born son of Yaacov and Leah, and the first of the twelve tribes. Along with this first-born right came many prestigious positions: the priesthood, the monarchy and the right to a double portion of inheritance. However, because of a questionable incident that Reuven was involved in, he forfeited …

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Sep 26

Who is That

(Torah Portion Vayishlach) Who is That! The story is told that two great sages of the 1800’s, Rabbi Yehudah Assad and Rabbi Moshe Sofer went to the royal palace to petition against a law detrimental to the Jews. While they were being escorted through the palace, Rabbi Yehudah Assad suddenly asked Rabbi Sofer, “Who is …

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Sep 20

Expanse and Limits

(Torah Portion Vayishlach ) Expanse and Limits! Our forefathers, Avraham, Yitzchok and Yaacov observed all the laws of the Torah even though the Torah was not given to their descendants until hundreds of years later. They were able to perceive the Torah laws through their keen spirituality. Still, the Torah highlights specific laws that were …

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