We ended last week’s Torah reading with Yosef entombed in Egypt. That’s pretty much what happens to all of the Israelites once we begin reading Sefer Shemot, the Book of Exodus, this week. A new Pharaoh arises with no memory of Yosef’s economic rescue of Egypt, and he oppresses the Israelites in a variety of ways Continue Reading »
This week’s Torah portion is called Vayehi, which means “he lived.” But this parsha is replete with death, and about promises made about burial plots. We also learn just how accepted Yosef became in Egyptian society. He lived to be 110, which is to Egyptian mythology what 120 is to our culture–the quintessential full life. But unlike Ya’akov, Continue Reading »
This is the Shabbat of the “big reveal.” Moved to tears by Yehudah’s powerful plea for Binyamin’s release, Yosef can no longer keep up the charade. He reveals his true identity to his brothers and begins the process of family reunification. He also implements an economic policy that Egyptians will probably not recall with fondness Continue Reading »
Before getting to the Torah reading, I can’t forget to share my warm wishes for a joyous and light-filled Hanukkah. This season’s new hit Hanukkah song comes from the Israeli pop duo, Static and Ben-El. It’s as over-the-top as you could ever want, and a sign of Jewish pride from the land where Hanukkah is Continue Reading »
The narratives of Sefer Bereshit turn now to Yosef, who will be the focus of this week’s Torah reading, Vayeshev, and for the next three weeks as well. The multigenerational instinct of parental favoritism creates even more consternation among Yosef and his brothers, and nearly leads to Cain/Abel fratricide. Meanwhile, Yehudah’s voice as a leader among the siblings Continue Reading »
Ya’akov can no longer run from his past; it’s coming to confront him head on. After 20 years away from home, it’s time to return, which means an inevitable meeting with Esav. And even when he emerges whole from that encounter, he will endure more trials and tribulations involving his daughter, vigilante sons, his beloved Continue Reading »
Now that he’s become a man on the run, we see Ya’akov encounter challenges and build a family under the watchful eyes of his uncle Lavan. Lest you say that the Torah never condemns or even critiques Ya’akov for taking his older twin brother’s blessing, notice that experience turns out to be justice delayed. Upon Continue Reading »
The recurring theme of sibling rivarly intensifies in this week’s Torah portion, Toldot. The brothers are described in contrast to one another: one is an outdoorsman, while the other is more of a tent-dweller. Last time we saw such a brotherly contrast, it was Cain and Abel, and that relationship ended really badly. One can imagine Continue Reading »
If God’s promise to Avraham of countless progeny is going to come true, Yitzhak is going to need a wife so that the family line can be extended. This week’s Torah portion, Hayei-Sarah, is all about firming up that legacy. We meet one character who has no name (Avraham’s executive director, if you will), one character Continue Reading »
In this week’s action-packed Torah portion, Vayera, we find some of the best-known stories in our tradition. From the hospitality of Avraham and Sarah, to the destruction of Sodom, to the birth of Yitzhak and banishment of Yishma’el, to the spellbinding narrative of the ‘Akedah, we have one Biblical greatest hit after another. See if you can Continue Reading »
