And the women that were wise-hearted did spin
This week’s Torah portion is Vayakhel, in some congregations Vayakhel-Pekudei (Exodus 35:1-38:20).
In Exodus 35:10 we find the Hebrew expression chacham-lev, which is translated as...
Moses shatters the tablets to teach us a lesson on counterfeit holiness
This week's Torah portion is Ki Tisa, Exodus 30:11-34:35.
In this week’s parsha, Moses smashes the Ten Commandments on the foot of Mount Sinai after seeing...
Jacob curses his sons to send us a message
This week’s Torah portion is Vayechi, Genesis 47:28-50:26.
In this week’s parsha, Jacob sends an unequivocal message to his sons – and to all of...
Joseph and Jewish brotherhood
This week’s Torah portion is Vayigash, Genesis 44:18 - 47:27.
“And Joseph could not hold himself back in front of all who...
Biblical family dysfunction
This week’s Torah portion is Vayeshev, Genesis 37:1-40:23.
As we begin parshat Vayeshev, Jacob is settled. Literally and figuratively, he is comfortable and stable. Raised...
The power of names
By Eitan Gutin
This week’s Torah portion is Vayishlach, Genesis 32:4-36:43.
My wife and I were lucky when we were deciding on a name for our...
Enmity throughout the generations
This week’s Torah portion is Toldot, Genesis 25:19 – 28:9.
“Rebecca conceived. And the sons within her struggled (or agitated)…” (Genesis 25:21-22).
The next...
The worth of one’s days—and one’s death
This week’s Torah portion is Chayei Sarah, Genesis 23:1-26:18.
A Torah parsha is named after the first words of significance found in the first sentence....
The puzzling ‘Akedah’ story
This week’s Torah portion is Vayera, Genesis 18:1-22:24.
One of the most difficult narratives in our Bible is this story of the “binding” (akedah) of...
