by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Jan 28, 2016 | Lifeline
In this week’s reading, we are told that “Yisro heard all that G-d had done for Moshe and Israel his nation, for HaShem had taken Israel from Egypt” [18:1]. Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) asks: what did Yisro hear? He answers, “the parting of...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Jan 14, 2016 | Lifeline
From the entire Book of Genesis, we learn only three Commandments: be fruitful and multiply, circumcision, and to not eat the sinew in the thigh (the same touched by the angel that fought with Ya’akov). The first Commandment given to the nascent Jewish nation,...
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...
