Yakov
Vayetze – Spiritual Transitions
Why does the ladder represent so many different things: the temple, Mount Sinai, four exiles? Why do the angels who destroyed sodom return here? Why were they out of commision for 138 years? Why are they all of a sudden returned to their post now? How could the angels say something wrong? What does it…
Read MoreVayechi – Hastening the End of Days
What is the goal of Yakov when he gathers his sons? Why is he unable to reveal the End? Why does his rebuke to Reuven, Shimon and Levi involve a directive to be careful about being hasty? What is the difference between Asifa-gathering and Kibbutz-gathering? How does waiting for the end paradoxically hasten its arrival?…
Read MoreVayechi – Finding Good Points
Why is Yakov unable to bless Yosef’s sons? How is Yosef able to bring back the divine presence so Yakov can bless them? What is the difference between the approach of Yakov and Yosef? What is the concept of finding good points, even in those who are evil? Find out in this week’s parsha podcast.
Read MoreVayigash – Love and Tears
What is the significance of Yosef’s tears? Why does he only cry on the shoulder of Benjamin, whereas he kisses and cries with each of the other brothers? What is the significance of the numerical values of Yosef and Yakov’s names? What is the concept of the kiss? What is the concept of tears? Find…
Read MoreVayetzei – Yakov's dream, Yosef's dreams
What is the concept of Yakov’s dream, and dreams in general? Why is Yakov’s dream global, while Yosef’s seems to be personal? Why does Yosef’s involve people, while Yakov’s involves angels? Why does Yakov have his dream after being chased by Esav, while Yosef has his dream before being chased by his brothers? What is…
Read MoreToldos – Spiritual Power
Why does the Torah preface the story of Yakov (Jacob) and Esav with the statement that Abraham birthed Isaac? What is the significance of the fact that Isaac was forty years old when he got married? What is the spiritual power of the circumcision of Ishmael at age thirteen? What is the spiritual power of…
Read MoreVayechi – Lesson of Beit Shemesh
Why does Yakov wait until he is about to die to give his sons rebuke? What is the power of the tzaddik? What is the true nature of the town of Beit Shemesh? What is the power of focusing on good points? Find out in this week’s Parsha Podcast. Running time: 21:19
Read MoreVayishlach – Keep the fire burning
How does one hold onto spiritual inspiration? How can one face the resistance of others, and oneself, when one is seeking that inspiration? What is the lesson of Yakov in his interaction with Esav? Find out in this week’s Parsha Podcast. Running time: 18:44
Read MoreKeep the fire burning
One of my earliest memories as a child is awakening suddenly in the middle of the night, being brought by my parents out of the house, waiting in the car, and watching as the fire engines pulled up to our home. The scare was short-lived as the firemen discovered the source of the smoke in…
Read MoreBechukosai – the missing letter vav's & current events
Why does the verse refer to Hashem remembering Yakov before redemption? Why isn’t the name Yisrael used? Why is it spelled with an extra letter Vav? Why is the vav taken from Eliyahu? What do Eliyahu and Yakov represent? What is the lesson of Yosef? How does it apply to current events? Find out in…
Read More