Monthly Archives: November 2015

This week’s Haftarah[i] consists of the shortest book in the canon of scripture, one chapter, twenty-one verses. The actual identity of the prophet who authored this book is lost to us. The name of the author of this vision is … Continue reading →

This week’s Torah portion is Va’yetze, “and he (Jacob) went out,” (Genesis 28:10 – 32:3)[i]. Jacob left, going out from the presence of his family and the turbulent situation at home, to seek his fortune in Haram, the birth country … Continue reading →

This week’s portion, Toldot, Genesis 25:19-28:9, continues the history of the patriarchs, Isaac and Jacob, after the death of Abraham. The beginning of the parasha contains one of the most controversial issues in Scripture aside from the cross—the choosing of … Continue reading →

At the onset of this Parasha (Genesis 23:1-25:18) we are faced with death, “Now Sarah’s life was 127 years—the years of Sarah’s life,” (Genesis 23:1). Then two and a half chapters later, at the end of the Parasha we are … Continue reading →