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,...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Oct 27, 2023 | Lifeline
Since the horrific massacres that took place in the Land of Israel earlier this month, students on campus have faced rallies for “Palestine” that quickly devolved into explicit Jew hatred. Earlier this week, so-called protesters discovered that there were...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Oct 20, 2023 | Lifeline
“These are the products [children] of Noach; Noach was a righteous man, pure in his generation, and Noach walked with G-d… And G-d said to Noach, the end of all flesh comes before me, for all the earth is filled with Hamas because of them, and behold, I will destroy...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Oct 13, 2023 | Lifeline
Two thoughts come to mind from our parsha, the reading this week. First of all, the notion of a “brotherhood of man” comes from our Torah; it is one of its first lessons. Today this is such a common idea that we don’t give it much thought, but in reality it is quite...
