by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Dec 30, 2015 | Lifeline
The Biblical Book of Exodus begins with the tale of Pharoah and the Jews under Egyptian rule. Most people are at least vaguely familiar with the story, but few notice that it is the first account of organized, institutional anti-Semitism against the Jews. At the end...
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...
