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Vayishlach: The Holiness of Simplicity
At the beginning of this week’s parsha, the pasuk tells us ‘vayivater yaakov levado,’ that Yaakov was left alone. It is at this moment, when Yaakov is separated from his large family, that Eisav’s angel comes to wrestle with him. Rashi explains that Yaakov was alone because he crossed back over the Yarden in order…
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Vayeitzei: Understanding Leah’s Tearstained Eyes
In her difficult pregnancy, Rivka was told she had two nations inside of her womb. Although we sometimes simplify this as a battle between good and evil, in truth, it began as a conquest for Olam Hazeh and Olam Habah. Eisav was given the strength to acquire Olam Hazeh as his portion and Yaakov, Olam…
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Toldot: Praying with the Fervor of a Pitchfork
The beginning of the parsha depicts the powerful scene of Yitzchak and Rivka praying together for a child. Rav Bregman1 notes that the pasuk first describes the prayer and only then explains that Rivka was barren rather than first stating the childlessness leading to the prayer. This unexpected structure echoes the Gemara2 which tells us…
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Chayei Sarah: Contrasting the Greatness of Sarah and Rivka
The parsha which records Sara Imeinu’s passing is the parsha which is called ‘Chayei Sara,’ the life of Sara. Something about Sara’s life and legacy can be felt even – and especially – at the time of her death. Immediately after the Torah records Sara’s burial, it transitions into Yitzchak’s shidduch with the righteous Rivka;…
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Vayeira: Our Salvation Is Born from the Impossible
Sara, the wife of Avraham, is known to us as ‘Sara Imeinu,’ Sara, our mother. Sara’s primary identity is not only as the mother of Yitzchak, but the mother of the whole Jewish nation. Interestingly, Sara only became a mother at the age of 90 and she passed away at 127. For most of her…
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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.…
