VaYishlach – Where is Shimon Where is Levi
Where Is Shimon? Where Is Levi? “Shall he make of our sister a harlot?” – Genesis 34:31 Some 3,500 years ago, an abomination was done to a Jew in Shechem. Dinah, daughter of Jacob, was raped by Shechem, the son of Chamor. Upon hearing of the obscenity, Dinah’s brothers – Shimon and Levi – went […]
VaYetze – All God Wants is a Little Faith
All G-d Wants Is a Little Faith Regarding Jacob’s ladder, the Rabbis comment (Tanchuma, Vayetze 2): “G-d showed Jacob the archangels of Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome climbing the ladder and then falling down. Said the Almighty, ‘Jacob, why do you not climb?’ Jacob was afraid and said, ‘Just as those fell so shall I […]
VaYera – The Three Oaths
The Three Oaths When Abraham forged a covenant with Abimelech, king of the Philistines, Abimelech declared, “Now swear to me here by G-d that you will not deal falsely with me, my children, or my grandchildren. Show me, and the land where you sojourned, the same kindness I have shown you” (Genesis 21:23). Abraham swore. […]
Lekh Lekha – Fighting For God
Fighting for G-d “They took Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions…. When Abram heard that his brother had been taken captive, he armed his trained men born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. He hurried after the invaders…. and he smote them” (Genesis 14:12–15). With Abraham facing […]
Noach – No Rest in Exile
No Rest in the Exile “And [Noah] sent forth a dove…but the dove found no rest for the sole of its foot, and it returned to him into the ark” (Genesis 8:8–9). Rabbi Shimon said: Had it found a resting place it would not have returned. And similarly does it say: “[Israel] sat among the […]
BeReshit – Stop Being Defensive
Stop Being Defensive Rabbi Meir Kahane The most famous of all the commentaries of the great Rashi is, undoubtedly, the very first one. Concerning the verse, “In the beginning G-d created the heavens and the earth…” (Genesis 1:1), Rashi quotes the Midrash that asks: Why did the Almighty begin the Torah with the story of […]
VeZot HaBerakhah2 – A Special Destiny Calls
A Special Destiny Calls Moses begins his last speech – delivered right before his death – with comments meant for the entire Jewish people. As the Ibn Ezra writes, “This parsha begins with a general blessing for all of Israel, followed by specific comments addressed to each tribe, followed by general comments once more.” Essentially, […]
VeZot HaBerakhah – Want Peace-Expel the Enemy
Want Peace? Expel the Enemy “He will drive the enemy before you and He will proclaim, ‘Destroy!’ Israel will then dwell securely alone” (Deuteronomy 33:27–28). On these verses, the Ohr HaChaim comments: “‘Israel will then dwell securely.’ When? When they are alone. The words ‘Israel will then dwell’ are a continuation of what precedes them, […]
Ha’azinu-Shabbat Shuva – When God Punishes the Wicked
When G-d Punishes the Wicked “He will avenge His servants’ blood. He will bring vengeance upon His foes” (Deuteronomy 32:43). The nations’ hatred for the Jewish people will summon upon them G-d’s well-justified zeal. Zechariah prophesied, “I was zealous for Jerusalem and Zion with a great zeal. And I burn with great anger at the […]
VaYelekh2 – An Excuse to Indulge
An Excuse to Indulge “When I have brought them into the land flowing with milk and honey, the land I swore to give their ancestors, and when they eat their fill and grow fat, they will turn to other gods and worship them, provoking Me and breaking My covenant” (Deuteronomy 31:20). We know in general […]