The Power of the Tongue

Did Jacob's rash words kill his beloved wife? The story of Rachel’s death teaches us an important lesson about the power of the tongue.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Vayishlach (וישלח | He sent)

Torah: Genesis 32:3-36:43

Haftarah: Hosea 11:7-12:12, Obadiah 1:1-21

Gospel: John 1:19-2:12

Stairway to Heaven

Yeshua bridged the space between heaven and earth. He is the ladder to heaven upon which angelic forces descend and ascend.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Vayetze (ויצא | He went out)

Torah: Genesis 28:10-32:2

Haftarah: Hosea 12:12-14:10

Gospel: Matthew 3:13-4:11

Behold, the fragrance of my son is like the fragrance of a field, which HaShem has blessed!

(Genesis 27:27)
Kislev 1, 5776/November 13, 2015

In one of the most tender and dramatic moments we encounter in the book of Genesis,Yaakov, encouraged and assisted by his mother Rivka, is engaged in deceiving his blind father Yitzchak into thinking that he is his brother Esau, in order to receive his father's blessing. The deception is proceeding more or less as planned, but nevertheless, Yitzchakis perplexed. "The voice is the voice of Yaakov, but the hands are the hands of Esau."(Genesis 27:24) Yitzchak calls his son to come closer to kiss his father. And when he does Yitzchak receives the proof that he needs that this is the right son. This is the son meant to receive his blessing.

"And he came closer, and he kissed him, and he smelled the fragrance of his garments, and he blessed him, and he said, 'Behold, the fragrance of my son is like the fragrance of a field, which HaShem has blessed!'" (ibid 27:27)

What exactly did Yitzchak smell? What is the "fragrance of the field"? And why did it confirm for Yitzchak that this was the son to be blessed?

Philistine Apologies

The godly person accepts the half-hearted apology without demanding more than a person's dignity will allow.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Toldot (תולדות | Family history)

Torah: Genesis 25:19-28:9

Haftarah: Malachi 1:1-2:7

Gospel: Luke 3:1-18

What Is Shabbat?

By Menachem Posner

Shabbat (the Sabbath) is the centerpiece of Jewish life, and has been so since the infancy of our nation. According to the Talmud, Shabbat is equal to all the other commandments. Shabbat is so central to Jewish life

Shabbat is the centerpiece of Jewish life that the term shomer Shabbat (Shabbat observer) is synonymous with “religious Jew” in common parlance.

Shabbat is a day of rest and celebration that begins on Friday at sunset and ends on the following evening after nightfall. Let’s have a look at the history, importance and observances of this day.

And he loved her

(Genesis 24:67)
MarCheshvan 24, 5776/November 6, 2015

Love. Where does it come from? What is its source? The first time love - ahavah in Hebrew - is mentioned in Torah is in last week's parasha, in which G-d , speaking toAvraham, refers to Yitzchak as "your son, your only one, whom you love." (Genesis 22:2) And the second time love is mentioned in Torah is in this week's reading of Chayei Sara, in which we read, "And Yitzchak brought her to the tent of Sara his mother, and he took Rivka, and she became his wife, and he loved her." (ibid 24:67)

Good Things of His Master's Hand

The world has plenty of religions and ideologies for sale, each one clamoring for attention like obnoxious salesmen. What do we have to offer the world?

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Chayei Sarah (חיי שרה | Sarah's life)

Torah: Genesis 23:1-25:18

Haftarah: 1 Kings 1:1-31

Gospel: Matthew 2:1-23

And Avraham lifted up his eyes, and he saw

(Genesis 22:13)
MarCheshvan 17, 5776/October 30, 2015

Vayera - "Now HaShem appeared to him," (to Avraham), opens up this week's Torah reading. Avraham is experiencing an encounter with G-d . And then Avraham "lifted his eyes and saw." (Genesis 18:1) Avraham assessed his immediate surroundings in the context of his encounter with G-d . He saw three men and he ran to do them a kindness, to give them respite from the heat of the day, to feed and water them. He took the unspoken message he had received from G-d and translated it into a positive deed, a deed reflecting G-d's will.