This week’s Torah portion is Va’eira, the second parsha in the Book of Exodus, and contains the famous Ten Plagues. Last week, Pharaoh mocked Moses when he insisted that the Israelites
Read moreThis week’s parasha is the first of the Book of Exodus. Shemot – “names” – begins, “These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob…” By listing the
Read moreThis week’s parasha is entitled, Va-yechi, “and Jacob lived.” But this last portion of the Book of Genesis is really about how Jacob died. He does so with dignity, preparation, humility and
Read moreOh, the drama! In this week’s parasha – Vayigash – Joseph is reunited with his brothers after many years apart. He reveals himself after initially tricking them into believing that
Read moreThis week’s parasha, Miketz, contains Pharaoh’s famous dream of seven fat cows and seven lean cows, which Joseph interprets before he is subsequently appointed Egypt’s Prime Minister. Later in the parasha,
Read moreThis week’s Torah portion – Vayeshev – begins with a brief sentence: “Jacob dwelt in the land of his father’s sojournings, the land of Canaan.” Commentators note the intimation that Jacob
Read moreIn this week’s parasha, Vayishlach, the famous wrestling match between Jacob and the mysterious stranger is among the more curious portions of the Torah. As Jacob prepared to meet his estranged
Read moreThis week’s parasha is Vayetze. In the first ten verses, we read the word, makom – “place” – seven times as Jacob moves from place to place, finding a way to
Read moreParashat Toldot contains the famous story of the twins Jacob and Esau, and how Jacob, with his mother’s help, tricks their father Isaac into giving him the blessing reserved for
Read moreAlthough it is called Chayei Sarah (“the life of Sarah”), this week’s parasha is actually about her death, the acquisition of a burial site for her by Abraham and his
Read more