exodus

Va'era – Surmounting Challenges

What is the parallel between the experiences of the Jewish people in the Exodus and the experience of every individual Israelite? How does one face off with and surmount the challenges that continuously arrive? What is the power of prayer and how does it partner with the power of commitment? Find out in this week’s…

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Shemos – Birthpangs of Redemption

Why does the plight of the Jewish people worsen with Moshe’s revelation as redeemer? What is the reason for this pattern repeating in subsequent redemptions – before the second temple and in the final redemption? Why does Hashem reveal Himself in a bush? Why does the giving of the Torah immediately follow the Exodus, and…

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Bo – Keser and Malchus

Why were the first nine plagues performed by Moshe or Ahron, but the plague of the firstborn was done by Hashem Himself? Why did the Jews have to do something active to be excluded from the plague, as opposed to the previous plagues where this was not necessary? What is the significance of the blood…

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Vayera – Times of transition

Why does Hashem send the same group of angels to inform Avraham and Sarah of Yitzchak’s birth and cure Avraham, who continue on to destroy Sodom? Why do these two events occur concurrently? Why does Rashi say that Hashem ‘took the sun out of its sheath?’ What is the connection to the time before Moshiach…

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