by Mordechai Dixler | Jan 12, 2012 | Lifeline
“Now I’m motivated. I’m going to make this happen.” Those are the sweet words that kick-off the path to progress. As human beings we have aspirations to grow, to build, to make a mark. What sparks the transition from stagnation to production?...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Jan 6, 2012 | Lifeline
The blessing Jacob gives Judah concludes with the words: “his eyes will redden from wine, and his teeth white from milk.” Rabbi Yochanan says homiletically (Kesubos 111b) that you can read it as “teeth whiter than milk” — to give a smile...
by Mordechai Dixler | Dec 29, 2011 | Lifeline
The sons of Jacob find themselves before Egypt’s second in command, unaware that it’s really their brother Joseph. Falsely accused of espionage and of stealing from the royal palace, about to lose their father’s beloved son Benjamin — whom they...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Dec 23, 2011 | Lifeline
We read this week that two years after Pharoah’s wine steward and chief baker had their dreams, Pharoah had one of his own, and as a result, they rushed Joseph from jail. Obviously Pharoah needed Joseph, but the Torah tells us something deeper: that Joseph was...
by Mordechai Dixler | Dec 15, 2011 | Lifeline
Many of us certainly remember the bitter taste of medicine. Before artificial sweeteners and capsules, taking medicine was, well… a hard pill to swallow. Let’s put ourselves in Joseph’s shoes on his trip down to Egypt. After having lost his mother...
by Rabbi Yaakov Menken | Dec 8, 2011 | Lifeline
As our forefather Yaakov (Jacob) prepared to encounter his brother Esav again after 34 years, he did three things: sent presents, readied for war, and prayed. He balanced his prayers and trust in G-d with appropriate “worldly” efforts. He neither trusted...
