Judaism
At What Price?
This week’s Torah portion is Vayeshev. But before I get to that, thank you everyone for your prayers and good thoughts. I tested positive about a week and a half ago and now am feeling better and hopefully will be coming out of quarantine soon. So this portion is about Joseph the sale of Joseph…
Read MorePeace with Strength
This past week we studied Vayishlach, the portion that contains a continuation of the narrative between the twin brothers Jacob and Esau. There has been enmity between them since the birthright incident. Jacob has now been told that his brother’s hatred toward him has softened a bit, perhaps now it is safe to approach Esau.…
Read MoreWhat To Do?
This week we studied the portion vayeitzei in which Jacob dreams of a ladder to heaven. In the very first verse of this portion we learn that Jacob has left Bersheva, travelling to Haran, so we know he is on a journey. The rabbis, the ancient sages of Israel, tell us that when a righteous…
Read MoreWhat is Right?
So this last week we studied Toldot, the narrative with the most famous interaction between the brothers Jacob and Esau – in which Esau sells his birthright for a bowl of lentils. If you grew up Christian as I did, it might seem that Jacob is the villain of the story, the deceiver, somehow tricking…
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