Remember me when things go well

(Genesis 40:14)

Kislev 23, 5777/December 23, 2016

"Yaakov dwelt in the land of his father's sojournings, in the land of Canaan." (Genesis 37:1) So this week's Torah reading begins, and it sounds like we are in for a happy ending to our saga. Yaakov, after a lifetime of travails, is ready to settle down with his twelve sons in the land promised to him by G-d, and live out his day, happily ever after. That, at least, seems to be what Yaakov had in mind. But G-d, as so often is the case, had other plans. And far from a happy ending, parashat Vayeshev ends on the edge of a precipice: "But the chief cupbearer did not remember Yosef, and he forgot him." (ibid 40:23)

Jacob the Wrestler

Does it ever feel like the life of faith is a constant struggle? Is it sometimes hard to hold on to God? Learn a lesson from Jacob the wrestler.

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

Then this stone, which I have placed as a monument, shall be a house of G-d

(Genesis 28:21)

Kislev 9, 5777/December 9, 2016

So much happening in this week's Torah reading, Vayeitzei! Time itself seems compressed, as Yaakov flees his brother Esav, weds first Leah, then Rachel, fathers twelve children by his two wives and their maidservants, works twenty years for Lavan, and raises his own herd before returning to the land of Canaan, all this reported by Torah in staccato fashion, adding a sense of urgency and breathlessness. Yaakov himself, is profoundly effected by this enigmatic time warp: "So Yaakov worked for Rachel seven years, but they appeared to him like a few days because of his love for her." (Genesis: 29:20)

The Ideal Family

Don't feel badly if your family seems dysfunctional. Jacob's family was dysfunctional too, and so were most of the biblical families.

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

May HaShem give you of the dew of the heavens

(Genesis 27:28-29)
Kislev 2, 5777/December 2, 2016

The drama of parashat Toldot focuses around the struggle between Yaakov and his brother Esav, which begins while they are still in mother Rivka's womb, and continues to this very day. This week's Torah reading opens with their birth and the subsequent sale of Esav's birthright to Yaakov, and reaches its dramatic crescendo with Yaakov'ssubterfuge and the blessing he received from father Yitzchak as a result thereof, and Esav's exasperated cries of defeat and revenge for his perceived suffering.

The Friend of God

What did Abraham do to be called the friend of God?

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Vayera (וירא | He appeared)

Torah: Genesis 18:1-22:24

Haftarah: 2 Kings 4:1-37

Gospel: Luke 2:1-38

Yea, Yitzchak

(Genesis 22:2)
Marcheshvan 17, 5777/November 18, 2016

Avraham avinu's (our patriarch Avraham) life was full of trials. G-d kept testing the limits of Avraham's faith in Him. Each test seemed to push Avraham one step further, ultimately culminating in the great test of the binding of Yitzchak. Why was G-d testing Avraham? Was He expecting Avraham to fail? Or to take a stand and say "No further, G-d. I refuse to be submitted to yet another test?"

Avraham, on the other hand, often questioned G-d's actions, or expressed some doubt as to the viability of G-d's promises to him. Avraham argued with G-d , albeit with great deference, over the fate of the inhabitants of Sodom. Avraham asked G-d more than once if he will ever have children and proposed his servant Eliezer as his heir to the inheritance G-d promised him, despite G-d's steady insistence that Avraham would indeed have progeny.