by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Dec 24, 2015 | Lifeline
In this week’s reading, Yaakov parcels out blessings to his sons, based upon his prophetic understanding of their futures. He describes Yissachar as a strong-boned donkey, who saw that “rest” was good, yet “bent his shoulder to bear, and became...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Dec 18, 2015 | Lifeline
In this week’s reading, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers as second-in-command over all of Egypt. Due to the famine, he encourages the entire family to join him, but does so with unusual language: “Hurry and go up to my father, and say to him,...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Dec 3, 2015 | Lifeline
In this week’s reading, the sons of Yaakov sell their brother Yosef into slavery. First, they take him and throw him into a pit, intending to kill him. But seeing a caravan approaching, Yehudah suggests that they sell him instead, keeping the money while sending...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Nov 26, 2015 | Lifeline
What if I told you there was something you could do, right now, that could save a life in Israel? Would you do it? In this week’s reading, Yaakov returns to the Land of Israel, only to meet his brother Esav — who years earlier tried to kill him. Yaakov...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Nov 13, 2015 | Lifeline
This week we read that Yitzchak (Isaac) wanted to bless his older son Esav, but Yaakov came instead, as advised by his mother Rivka. As a result, both sons were blessed — and though Yitzchak was deceived, he was Divinely Inspired to give each child the right...
