Author Archives: Aleinu

There are a number of distinctive aspects of this week’s parasha, Yitro, Exodus 18:1 – 20:231. The first is that Yitro is one of only three parashot named for non-Jews. The other two are Noach (Noah) and Balak. Interestingly, as … Continue reading →

This week’s parasha, Bo, Exodus 10:1 – 13:10,1 picks up in the middle of the story of the ten plagues sent upon Egypt by HaShem’s mighty, outstretched arm because of Pharoah’s hard-heartedness. Seven plagues have passed, and Pharoah continues his pattern … Continue reading →

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z”l in his Applbaum edition of the haggada, comments,  At the very moment that we gather together to remember the past, we speak about the future. The seder brings together the three dimensions of time. Before the meal we … Continue reading →

Last week, (December 16, 2021) the NYTimes online edition published an article entitled, Why 1,320 Therapists Are Worried About Mental Health in America Now. The article began,  As Americans head into a third year of pandemic living, therapists around the country … Continue reading →

In this week’s parasha, Vayigash, Genesis 44:18 – 47:27, after a rather tense situation over Benjamin’s possible imprisonment, Joseph finally reveals himself to his brothers. His first question is not about their well-being, but whether his father Jacob was still … Continue reading →

Trusting and understanding HaShem’s plans for us can be challenging and misunderstood by us and others. A quick look back toward the end of last week’s parasha demonstrates what I am talking about. In Genesis 31:3 we read that HaShem … Continue reading →