Rochel

Vayigash – Tears, Silence and Shechina

What is the difference between the crying Yosef does with Benjamin, as opposed to his crying with his other brothers? Why does Benjamin merit to have the Divine Presence in his portion? What is the secret of the silence of Benjamin, Yosef, Rochel and Esther? Why do Yosef and Benjamin cry about the destruction of…

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Vayetzei – Synthesis of Opposites

What is the significance of the contrast between Rebecca coming to Israel to marry Isaac, as opposed to Jacob going to Charan to marry Rachel and Leah? Why is it as ‘hard’ for Hashem to create matches between men and women as it is for Him to split the sea? Why did Jacob remove the…

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two articles and audio on Cheshvan

I recently wrote two different articles with the same theme that appeared in two different places, be’H. The first appeared on Aish.com, and the second will be appearing in the Beltway Buzz magazine of DC. Much of the BB version is found in the podcast on Parshas Noach. You will notice that they both start…

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Vayishlach – Yakov, Rochel and Binyomin

Why is Yakov given another name? What is the significance of the name Yisrael? Why is it given immediately before Binyomin’s birth? Why does Rochel die as Binyomin is born? What is the secret spiritual power of Binyomin? Find out in this week’s Parsha Podcast. Running time: 24:12

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Rochel, MBY and MBD

Guest post by R’ Daniel Krentzman “ותהר ותלד בן ותאמר: אסף א-לקים את חרפתי, ותקרא את שמו יוסף לאמר: יסף ה’ לי בן אחר” The birth and naming of Yosef is a very significant event in the Torah. In the Torah, it is a general concept that the beginning of something usually includes within it…

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Vayetzei – Catalyst for Good

Why do we find that Esav’s anger is the catalyst for Yakov being sent to Charan to begin his family? Why is there so much emotional difficulty surrounding the relationships of Leah, Rochel and Yakov? Why does Yakov face the challenges of Lavan? Why does Yakov decide to return when Yosef is born? Find out…

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Shechem, Yosef and Dina

Some wild and interesting thoughts occurred to me last week, and I hope you will indulge me for a few moments. I do not have a source for any of my conclusions, but the basis is information you will recognize, and the implications will be quite intriguing. When the Torah describes Dina’s birth, the commentaries…

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