The world is suffering from a dearth of leadership. Leaders are blown from side to side by the powerful winds of political correctness and societal whims. Truth is ignored and life and death decisions are postponed. Arrogance has replaced discernment and small mindedness has overtaken vision and principle. All this is done , so that … Read more
by Rabbi Chanan Morrison Before his death, Jacob blessed each of his sons. He blessed his beloved son Joseph with:”Blessings of heaven above, blessings of the abyss lying beneath; blessings of plenty and children. The blessings of your father are superior to those of my parents, until the desired hills of eternity.” (Gen. 49:25-26) Why … Read more
Rabbi Chanan Morisson The very first exile of the Jewish people, the exile to Egypt, began as Jacob and his family left the Land of Israel. They intended to spend a short stay in Egypt until the famine passed. The Midrash (Yalkut Shimoni Hosea 528) makes a startling observation: “Jacob should have gone down to … Read more
by Rabbi Ari Goldwag How the High Holiday season actually culminates with Chanukah. When we think of the month of Kislev, we naturally think of the holiday of Chanukah that begins on the 25th day of the month. Looking on a deeper level, we can discern a thread that ties together the three-month period that … Read more
by Rabbi Chanan Morrison ( based on the writings of Rabbi Kook zt”l) After 20 years of hard labor under his treacherous uncle Laban, Jacob returned safely to the Land of Israel. Jacob succeeded in appeasing his brother Esau, and finally made it back to Bethel. Bethel was the place where, as Jacob set out … Read more
The Shorashim Torah Study and Overview Guide. Parshat Vayeitzei (Genesis 28:10–32:3) — Jacob escapes from his home knowing that Esav wants to kill him and not knowing where his future lies. In the midst of this place of uncertainty he arrives at a ” place.” The word place in Hebrew means Makom which is also … Read more
The Shorashim Torah Study and Overview Guide. Parshat Toldot (Genesis 25:19–28:9) — After the meeting and marriage we read of twenty painful and hurting years wherein Isaac and Rebbecca wait for a child., And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebbecca the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Padan Aram, the sister of … Read more
The Shorashim Torah Study and Overview Guide. Chayei Sarah (Genesis 23:1–25:18) — Sarah dies at age 127. The text describes the age that she dies in an unusual way: ” And the life of Sarah was one hundred years and twenty years and seven years; [these were] the years of the life of Sarah….”. why?( … Read more
