Collections of Thoughts and Poetry

#vayechi #parshatvayechi #seferbreisheet #genesis #jacob #yaakov #jacobsblessings #blessings #berchot #theblessingsofthesons #efraimandmenashe #breisheetcomestoanend There is a curious incident in Parshat Vayechi. As Ya’akov approaches his final days, he calls for his children to bless them. Yosef is informed that his father is on his death bed so he travels to see him and brings along his two sons, Efrayim and Menashe. Noticing Joseph’s sons, Israel asked, “Who are these?”

#vayigash #parshatvayigash #genesis #breisheet #josephstory #yehudahandyosef #sonsofjacob #windshields #forgiveness #crackedwindshield #cracked #brokenglass The cliffhanger of Sefer Breisheet, which is Parshat Vayigash, has arrived. Yehudah bravely approaches the grand Yosef, and in a memorable speech he makes the brother’s case before the second -in- command of Egypt. Hearing the speech, Yosef can no longer perpetuate his complicated ruse and breaks down before his stunned

#chanukah #lights #chanukahlights #lightchanukahcandles #seethelight #findingthepositive #hanukkah #hannukah #ner #nerot #parshatmiketz #breisheet #positivity #australia Over the course of the past few months, where the Jewish community has been riding a roller coaster of highs and lows; our community experienced another blow as the holiday of Chanukah approached. I had planned this post well before the events in Australia took place on the eve of Chanukah while we are livi

#vayeshev #vayeishev #parshatvayeishev #breisheet #seferbreisheet #joseph #esav #rivka #yitzhak #siblings #thetribesofisrael #jacob #leah #rachel #siblingrivalry #siblings #brothers #sisters #brothersandsisters Parshat Veyeishev finds us deep into the story of Yaakov and begins the sharp transition to the pivotal story of Yosef. Yaakov, perhaps accustomed to being brought up in a household where parents held favorites, slips easily into favoring Joseph, the son of his belov

#parshtvyishlach #parshatvayishlach #breisheet #seferbreisheet #dinah #leah #women #girls #violenceboutwomen When reading Parshat Vayishlach we read the story of the rape of Dinah by Shechem. The focus of the narrative is on Shechem's violence toward Dinah, his attraction to Dinah and then we read of the reactions of Ya'akov, the violence committed by Levi and Shimon. What we don't hear is the voice of Dinah. Midrashim are written about her, but where is her voice? Shabbat S

#vayetzei #vayeitzei #vayetzeh #breisheet #yaakov #leah #thanksgiving #parshatvayetzei #parshatvayeitzei #genesis #sheepandturkeys #family #familiesanddystfunction In Parshat Vayetzei, after Yaakov has already fled his homeland to Haran, dreamt his dream of angels ascending and descending, fathered multiple children with two wives who happen to be sisters and their hand maidens, and worked for Lavan for many years, it feels like it is time to return home. Much time had passe

#toldot #parshattoldot #yitzhak #rivka #aisav #yaakov #birthright #blessings #blindness #breisheet #genesis #torahmusingss #wordshavewings Parshat Toldot brings us the puzzling and dramatic story of the birthright which is sold for a pot of red lentil stew to a ravenously hungry Asav from his twin brother (and excellent cook), Yaakov. The tale is shared concisely: Isaac favored Esau because he had a taste for game; but Rebekah favored Jacob. Once when Jacob was cooking a stew

The first words of Parshat Chayei Sarah informs us of the death of Sarah, but they do so in an unusual way, by highlighting her eventful life by separating the century, the decade and the individual years. וַיִּהְיוּ֙ חַיֵּ֣י שָׂרָ֔ה מֵאָ֥ה שָׁנָ֛ה וְעֶשְׂרִ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה וְשֶׁ֣בַע שָׁנִ֑ים שְׁנֵ֖י חַיֵּ֥י שָׂרָֽה׃ Sarah’s lifetime—the span of Sarah’s life—came to one hundred and twenty-seven years. Genesis 23:1 Sarah's death seems so sudden and mysterious. As the Midrash says

#guests #welcomingguests #parshatvayera #vayera #hachnasatorchim #shabbat #opentents #opentent #feedingothers #hos pitality In Parshat Vayera, Chapter 18 of Genesis, if one follows along closely, one will note that Avraham models the many steps of opening one's home to guests. From the warm greetings, to the speedy preparations of sumptuous food, to serving with grace, making guests comfortable and then seeing them safely on their way, Parshat Vayera offers us sound advice f