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Lech Lecha: Eretz Yisrael, The Homeland of Our Soul
‘To the land which I will show you.’1 In this week’s parsha, Hashem promises the land of Eretz Yisrael to Avraham and his descendants. Originally, before it was given over as a gift to the Jewish people, the land was called Canaan, because it is a place of complete hachna’a, submission, to the Divine Will.…
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Who was Naama, the wife of Noach?
There is a Midrash which takes each line of Eishet Chayil – King Solomon’s beautiful alphabetical poem about the Jewish woman – and aligns it with different righteous women throughout Tanach…
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Bereshit: The Purpose of Chava’s Curses
In the same way that we view the curses as a guide for the woman’s quest to self-perfection, we can also present the three primary mitzvot of women in this way…
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Vayechi: Understanding Rachel’s Burial Place
Parshat Vayechi is essentially the last will and testament of Yaakov Avinu. Much of it contains his last requests, rebuke, and advice to his children. One of Yaakov’s admonishments to Yosef is that he ensures that Yaakov is buried in Meorat Hamachpela. In this, almost parenthetically, Yaakov seems to express regret that he did not…
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Vayigash: What You Didn’t Know About Serach, Daughter of Asher
Aside from the foremothers, one of the most talked-about women in Sefer Bereishit is Serach Bat Asher. Even preschool students know her name and her story. But is there more to her than what first meets the eye? Serach’s most famous story, taking place during the events of this week’s parsha, is not mentioned directly…
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Miketz: Life Is All About Perspective
In the beginning of Parshat Mikeitz, Yosef is pulled from prison to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. Not only does he uncover the prophecy of famine for Egypt, but he suggests a solution as well1. Pharaoh is impressed with the interpretation and solution that Yosef presented, and eventually promotes him to viceroy of Egypt. It was seemingly…