by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Dec 22, 2023 | Lifeline
“And Yosef could no longer hold back, from all those standing around him…” [45:1] For months, Yosef had kept up appearances. He treated his brothers coldly, as if he did not know who they were. Now, however, he “could no longer hold back.” He declared himself to be...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Dec 7, 2023 | Lifeline
In this week’s reading, Yosef is sold, enslaved, and taken to Egypt, where he is purchased by Potiphar, chief executioner to Pharoah. He soon earns Potiphar’s trust, such that Yosef is entrusted to manage Potiphar’s house and all his property [Gen....
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Nov 24, 2023 | Lifeline
The Torah says that after Yaakov left his parents, fleeing from his brother Esav, “he came to the place” [28:11]. Rashi explains that he came to Mount Moriah, the same “place” mentioned previously, when Avraham brought Yitzchak to that same...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Nov 17, 2023 | Lifeline
Rivka told her son Yaakov that he must take food to his father, Yitzchak, and receive the blessings that her husband intended to bestow upon their older son, Esav—but Yaakov was reluctant. If his father realized, he said, “I will have brought upon myself a...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Nov 2, 2023 | Lifeline
One of the teachings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov is found in a popular Jewish tune: “All the world is a very narrow bridge, and the main thing is not to be afraid at all.” He was speaking about the physical world—because, when it comes to fear of Heaven,...
