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Category Archives: Breishis
Vayigash 5780
THE SEED VAULT OF OUR PEOPLE
Excerpted from a talk from Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky zt’l
In the last 13 verses of our Parsha, Vayigosh, the Torah relates specific details regarding the manner in which Yosef managed the distribution of the food during the famine. It warrants investigation why should the Torah tell us of these details. There seems to be no relevance to the story of our people. Furthermore, if the Torah felt it was important why did she not mention these details in last week’s Parsha at the beginning of the famine, which would be its place chronologically.
Vayishlach – 5780
Vayishlach – 5780
Vayishlach – 5780
Vayeitzei 5780
TRANSPARENCY
Adapted from Rabbi Aaron Lopiansky’s talks
This week’s Parsha, Vayeitzei, opens with the scene of Yaakov sleeping on what will become the Temple Mount and dreaming. In his dream is a ladder on which angels are ascending and descending. The Midrash teaches us that these angels were fascinated by the image of Yaakov. In heaven his image appeared on the Throne of HaShem and down below they see him in complete physical form. The implication is that Yaakov is the ultimate image of what HaShem intended for Man to be. Somehow, Yaakov captured the essence of the perfect Man. What was Yaakov’s quality that won him that title?
Vayeitzei – 5000
Vayeitzei – 5000
Vayeitzei – 5000
Vayeira 5780
DIVINE INTUITION
Excerpted from Rabbi Aaron Lopiansky’s talk
The importance of these parshios is that they introduce us to the Fathers and Mothers of our nation. They are the foundation of our people and as such, as we gain insight into their strengths and their personalities we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves.
As I read our Parsha, Vayeira, I am struck with a quandary. When HaShem informs Avraham of the impending destruction of Sodom, he pleads with HaShem to spare them. Later, when Ha-Shem instructs Avraham to bring his son Yitzchok as an offering he complies with not a word on behalf of his only beloved son! How do we make sense of this?