-
Helena: Queen, Convert and Pioneer
We’ve all been there. We’ve all dreamed of pink sashaying gowns, dazzling tiaras, and glistening jewelry. We’ve all closed our eyes at one point in our lives and imagined hordes of servants at our beck and call. Of lavish banquets and imposing stairwells. Thrones and treasure rooms and fragrant flower gardens with glistening fountains. Maybe…
-
Leah: The True Value of Gratitude
Every Jewish schoolchild knows that the very first word out of our mouths each morning is “Modeh ani.” Rav Shimshon Pincus z”l once opened a class on tefillah with the question: Why is it that we say “Modeh ani” (Grateful am I) and not “Ani modeh” (I am grateful)? And he answered: Because first, we…
-
Vayeitzei: Why Is Rachel’s Silence Praised?
In Parshat Vayetzei, we are about to witness the marriage of Yaakov, the ish tam to his bashert Rachel, the righteous younger daughter of Lavan. We see up close Lavan’s manipulative behavior and trickery, Yaakov and Rachel’s attempt to thwart it and ultimately, Rachel’s eternal sacrifice for her sister as she gives up being the…
-
Toldot: Delving into Yitzchak’s and Rivka’s Marriage
Through the pesukim of the parsha, an image of Yitzchak and Rivka’s marriage emerges. An image which differs greatly from the marriages of the other Avot. Their opposite natures and that of their children presents itself as two different stories for Yitzchak and Rivka. Here, we will explore their marriage and the traits it was…
-
Fulfillment vs Motherhood: Should Women Pursue Any Kind of Career?
Sometimes, we are tempted to enter a field because it is just the typical, easy route to go, even if the work is not meaningful to us. I looked around at my friends and family, so many talented young women who pursued jobs meaningful to them. Here are three working women who each chose a…
-
Chayei Sarah: Understanding the Essence of Mearat HaMachpela
I have special memories of davening in Kever Machpela, the holy burial site of our Avot and Imahot during my seminary year. I remember beginning my shemonei esrei and the words “elokei Avraham, elokei Yitzchak v’elokei Yaakov” had never felt more real to me. As we read in the parsha about Sarah’s passing and Avraham’s…
