by Aliza | Nov 12, 2017 | Bereishit, Parshat Hashavua
by Ilana Goldstein Saks In our haftarah we see David Hamelech at the end of his life (Melachim I 1:1). Sadly, his last chapter does not seem to reflect a reign of greatness and achievement. Instead we see a weak, elderly king wallowing in the results of past...
by Aliza | Nov 2, 2017 | Bereishit, Parshat Hashavua
by Rabbi Herzl Hefter In this week’s parasha, Avraham circumcises his son Yitschak. I have always thought it odd that cutting away the foreskin of the male organ should serve as the symbol of the covenant between God and the descendants of Avraham. In order to...
by Chavi | Oct 25, 2017 | Bereishit, Parshat Hashavua
by Batya Hefter Pinat Ramban – Parshat Lech Lecha God promised Avraham: “All the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars in the sky.” The Ramban asks (Bereishit 15:2) “How could...
by Wbm | Nov 17, 2016 | Bereishit, Parshat Hashavua
By Rabbi Herzl Hefter G-d punishes the hubris of humanity by confounding their language and dispersing them to the corners of the Earth. This story calls our attention to the function of communication in the building of human civilization. “And the land was of one...
by Wbm | Nov 17, 2016 | Bereishit, Parshat Hashavua
by Batya Hefter “And God created the Adam in His Image”. “’Through my flesh I shall perceive God’ – through the Divine image within the human being a person will come to know and have the reality of God revealed to him.” To be created in the image of God, according to...
by Wbm | Sep 11, 2016 | Bereishit, Parshat Hashavua
By Batya Hefter Ya’akov Avinu, on his deathbed, calls out to gather his children in order to bless them but in truth, Ya’akov’s first three sons receive anything but blessings! Reuven loses his status as first born due to his impulsivity “Because you were unstable as...
