The Wonder Years
“How can I go up to my father if the youth is not with me? (Genesis 44:34). Judah pleads with the viceroy of Egypt (he does not yet realize this is Joseph) to free his younger brother Benjamin and allow him to return to Canaan. Otherwise, he explains, the heart of his father Jacob will […]
Jerusalem
Rabbi Baruch of Medzibozh explained that Jerusalem is derived from two Hebrew words: Yirah Shalem, which means ‘perfect awe.” In this place one achieves complete awe of God. It’s a place where one stands in awe of no one except Hashem.
The Turkey Prince
Once the king’s son went mad and began to think he was a turkey. He’s sit under the table with no clothes on and pulled at pieces of bread and bones. None of the doctors were able to help him and the king became very sad. A wise man came and said, “I can cure […]
Paving the way
“And God sent me before you to prepare for you a remnant in the land and to keep you alive for a great deliverance.” (Genesis 45:7) When he finally revealed himself to his brothers, Yosef tried to assuage their guilt by repeatedly telling them that even though they intended evil in they way they treated […]
Hacking the Haftorah: MIKEITZ
This series explores the connection between the weekly Torah portion read in synagogues (Parashat HaShavuah) and the Haftorah reading that follows from the writings of the prophets. The Five Books of Moses are read publicly in synagogues on Shabbat morning and completed over the course of a year. There is an ancient custom to follow […]
No better gift
Rabbi Aryeh Levin was known as the Tzadik (righteous one) of Jerusalem. He and his fiance’ were desperately poor when they got married. Before their wedding, he said to Tzipora Chana, “It’s customary in Jerusalem for a groom to give his bride a gift and for she to present one to her groom. But what […]
No Ifs, Ands or Buts
When Yosef accuses his brothers of being spies, they insist that this is totally untrue. They are just a family from Canaan where there’s a famine and they’ve come to Egypt to purchase food. Unaware that they are speaking to their brother, they tell him that they have an elderly father and a young brother […]
Hacking the Haftorah: VaYeshev
This series explores the connection between the weekly Torah portion read in synagogues (Parashat HaShavuah) and the Haftorah reading that follows from the writings of the prophets. The Five Books of Moses are read publicly in synagogues on Shabbat morning and completed over the course of a year. There is an ancient custom to follow […]
Let’s make a deal
Someone came to R’ Yissachar Dov Ber of Wolborz and said that he is ready to repent of his sins – but on condition that he’ll be spared from any punishment he may deserve. The Rebbe replied, “Were your sins also committed on condition?”
Do you want to?
R’ Simcha Bunem of P’shischa was once travelling on the road in a wagon. The road was filled with mud and large puddles of water. After a while, the wagon got stuck in the mud. The driver got down and tried pushing to loosen the wagon until he was exhausted. He called out to R’ […]