Gifting Without Glory
The great Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin, the Rabbinical Academy of the Sages of Lublin, opened in 1930, between the two world wars. Under the leadership of Rabbi Meir Shapiro zt"l, the school built a magnificent building which still stands today (although it was ransacked...
A Desperate Caller
Running late for his flight, Jerry pulled into the airport parking lot and anxiously searched for an open spot. With only minutes left to go through security and reach his gate, Jerry desperately cried out to G-d, "Please, Please! I have to make this flight. Help me...
Rib Steak for Your Brain
When the bread the Jewish people brought with them for their Exodus from Egypt had run out, G-d provided them with Manna that miraculously descended each day from the Heavens. Of course, we're all curious what Heavenly bread tasted like. The Talmud (Yoma 75b) cites...
The New Moon With In Sight
G-d's gave His first commandment to the Jewish people in this week's Torah portion -- the Mitzvah to sanctify the first day of the lunar cycle, the new moon, as the first day of the month (see Ex. 12:2). Sanctifying the new month seems an odd choice for the first...
Out of Control!
As a result of Pharaoh's recalcitrance to permit the Jewish people to leave Egypt, he and his nation were struck with a total of ten plagues. With regards to each of them, the Torah emphasizes that it only inflicted the Egyptians, and did not affect the Jewish people...
Balancing the Scale
In this week's reading we are introduced to a new Pharoah, "who did not know Joseph" [Ex. 1:8]. Pharoah had an imagined, entirely unfounded worry: "And it will be, if a war will occur, that he [all the Jews] will join our enemies" [1:10]. Ever wonder where the "dual...
A Spiritual Opportunity Knocks
In this week's reading, we study the reunion of Jacob and his son Joseph after 22 years of separation. Joseph, who rose from slavery and imprisonment to become Viceroy to the Pharaoh in Egypt, urged his father to join him, so he could provide for him and the family...
Chanukah is Breaking News
At the beginning of this week's reading, Joseph seems to be in a hopeless situation. Not only has he been separated from his family, sold into servitude in Egypt, but he has been thrown into prison as well. But when it was time for his redemption, it was immediate and...
The Spark that is the Key to Jewish Endurance
A merchant once entered the marketplace, his camels loaded high with flax to sell. A blacksmith noticed the spectacle of tall, cumbersome loads of flax, and wondered aloud, "Where will all that flax go?!" A clever fellow answered him, "What's the problem? One blow of...
This Is the Real Reason Jews Love Money
Jacob was traveling with his family to meet his brother Eisav (Esau) whom he had not seen for many years. Along the journey they passed over the Yabok river. After sending the family across, along with all the possessions, Jacob found himself alone. Why didn't he...
Prayer Secrets from Jacob’s Masquerade
Isaac summoned Esau to give him the blessings of the birthright, blessing of success and prosperity, before his passing. Jacob, who had already purchased the birthright from Esau many years prior, was guided by his mother Rebecca to disguise himself as Esau, and he...
For Goodness Sake
Eliezer, Abraham's servant, embarked on his mission to the land of Haran and the house of Besuel to find a wife for his master's beloved son, Isaac. As kindness to others was the hallmark of Abraham's life, Eliezer hoped to find a young woman who excelled in this same...
