Category Archives: Shabbat

In preparing this week’s Thoughts on Shemot, Exodus 1:1 – 6:11, I was intrigued by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin’s observations in his book, Growth Through Torah.2 He wrote, “You ultimately help yourself when you help others” (p 146), and he derived this from … Continue reading →

As I began preparing this week’s Thoughts on Vayishlach (and he sent), Genesis 32:4-36:43,1 I was immediately stuck on how important proper perspectives are, whether talking about life situations or engaging in scripture study. As an example, consider these passages from last week’s … Continue reading →

This week’s parashah, Vayetzei (he went out) – Genesis 28:10-32:3* provides an overview of Jacob’s life from the time he went out from Beer-sheba to journey to Haran and his mother’s brother’s family in order to find a wife so as not to … Continue reading →

Rabbi Stuart Dauermann in Shulhan Shelanu, Vol 3, Issue 45, November 6, 2021, made a couple of observations as he considered this week’s parashah, Toldot, Genesis 25.19 – 28.91. First, he noted that Isaac repeated a sin his father Abraham committed at … Continue reading →

This week’s parsha is Chayei Sarah, Genesis 23:1 – 25:18.1 It is not the happiest of passages, as it records the deaths of Sarah, Abraham, and Ishmael. Nevertheless, it is worth noticing the different ways these three deaths are recorded. First, “Sarah … Continue reading →