Bereshit (Genesis)
On his death-bed, Yaakov gives the following blessing to his grandchildren, Menasheh and Efraim: The God before whom my fathers Avraham and Yitzhak walked,The God who has been my shepherd from my birth to this day,The Angel who has redeemed me from all harm—–Bless the lads [Hebrew, ne’arim].In them may my name be recalled,And the names of my
SHORT ESSAY: On Protection and Connection (Parashat Vayechi) Read More »
Vayitzak tze’akah gedolah umarah ad me’od. “He cried out an exceedingly great and bitter cry (Gen 27:34).” This is the Torah’s description of Esav’s reaction to the news that his brother Yaakov had stolen his blessing. We can rationalize Yaakov’s actions. He had in fact bartered for the first-born rights earlier in the parsha so
SHORT ESSAY: Esav’s Cries (Parashat Toldot) Read More »
Avraham had many admirable characteristics, but he was not always the most attentive husband. His son, Yitzhak, on the other hand, now he was a good husband. Yitzhak’s response to Rivkah’s barrenness was quite different from Avraham’s response to Sarah’s. Yitzhak prays for her. What a novel concept! Avraham spends a parsha and a half waiting
SHORT ESSAY: Yitzhak As the Good Husband (Parashat Toldot) Read More »