The Greatness of Gratitude
Did you ever notice that the first three plagues were not performed by Moshe? G-d appoints Moshe to lead the people out of Egypt, and sends him to Pharoah to demand that Pharoah let the Jews go. Moshe impresses Pharoah with his staff, with the signs G-d showed him,...
Getting It Done
This week, I came across a commentary by the Malbim that "spoke to me," and I'd like to share it with you. When Moshe first encounters G-d, in the well-known story of the Burning Bush, G-d tells him that he will lead the Jews out of Egypt, but Moshe responds that they...
Sharing the Burden
The Sages tell us that the tribe of Yissachar distinguished itself through devotion to Torah study. Yaakov foresaw this, and even among the blessings given to his sons, this one is unusual: "Yissachar is a strong donkey, who rests between the borders. And he saw rest,...
The Institution of Jewish Learning
In this week's reading, when Yaakov goes down to Egypt he sends his son Yehudah (Judah) to "show the way" in front of him, down to Goshen where they were to settle [Gen. 46:28]. In the original, the word "l'horos" would more accurately be translated "to instruct" or...
Restoring and Spreading the Light
Chanukah is one of only two celebrations added to the Jewish calendar by the Rabbis, the other, of course, being Purim. Rabbi Yosef Karo points out that unlike Purim, which has an obligation for a celebratory meal and rejoicing, Chanukah is about singing praises and...
At the Darkest Moments
When Yosef's brothers see a caravan of Arab merchants coming towards them on its way to Egypt, Yehudah suggests that they sell him -- because as Reuven had asked, they did not kill him, leaving him instead in a dangerous pit. The convoy itself is identified in the...
