Parshas Vayechi
Print PDF By Rabbi Shloimie Lindenbaum ויחי יעקב בארץ מצרים (פרק מז פסוק כח) There is normally a break in the Sefer Torah between one parsha and the next, however our parsha begins “closed”. Rashi explains that this is because, once Yaakov passes away in our parsha, the eyes and hearts of the Jews […]
Honesty and Impetuosity
Print PDF By Rabbi Naftoly Bier אבינו יעקב, our patriarch Jacob, before his death, blessed his sons. To ראובן he said, “Reuven, you were to have superior positions, that of kingship and priesthood. But due to water-like impetuosity, you forfeited both of them.” Though Reuven had thought he was acting virtuously in justifying his […]
Parshas Vayigash
Print PDF By Rabbi Shloimie Lindenbaum ויגש אליו יהודה (פרק מד פסוק יח) After Yosef decides that he will take Binyomin captive because of the “stolen” goblet, Yehuda approaches him to plead their case. The Chiddushei Harim puts a spin on the words of the pasuk, that teaches a lesson applicable to all of […]
Measuring and Convincing Another
Print PDF By Rabbi Naftoly Bier In the beginning of the week’s parsha, we read of the epic battle waged by Yehuda to save Binyomin. Truthfully, the stakes couldn’t be higher; Yosef and Yehuda, two people worthy of sovereignty, are fighting for what they feel will affect the destiny of mankind. Yosef’s plan was […]
Parshas Mikeitz | Shabbos Chanuka
Print PDF By Rabbi Shloimie Lindenbaum We say in על הניסים that the Greeks tried להשכיחם תורתיך, to make us forget the Torah. It sounds like they did more than just stop us from learning, but they tried to make us forget what we already had. How did they do this? R’ Yeruchem Olshin brings […]
Immutability
Print PDF By Rabbi Naftoly Bier In על הניסים the praise recited when lighting the menorah, we declare, “that the whole of Chanukah these lights are holy and we are not permitted to use them, but rather only to look upon them in order to thank You and praise Your great name for Your miracles…” […]
Parshas Vayeishev
Print PDF By Rabbi Shloimie Lindenbaum אלה תולדות יעקב יוסף (פרק לז פסוק ב) The Parsha introduces the story of Yosef and his brothers by stating “these are the chronicles (or offspring, see Rashi) of Yaakov, Yosef etc.” Simply, the Pasuk is saying that Yaakov’s life story was shaped through the following story regarding Yosef. […]
Respecting Oneself: The Path to Greatness
Print PDF By Rabbi Naftoly Bier In this week’s פרשה, we are introduced to actions which demonstrate the lofty heights one can attain regarding their protection of the innate nobility of all human beings. The wife of Potiphar had persisted in asking יוסף הצדיק, Joseph to lie with her. Despite his adamant refusal, one […]
Parshas Vayishlach
Print PDF By Rabbi Shloimie Lindenbaum קטנתי מכל החסדים ומכל האמת (פרק לב פסוק יא) When Yaakov hears that Eisav is coming to kill him, he turns to Hashem in fervent prayer. He says “I have become small from all of the kindnesses and truth that You have done for [me]”. Rashi explains that that […]
Tznius, the Woman’s Gift
Print PDF By Rabbi Naftoly Bier In Genesis chapter 34:1, it states, “ ”…ותצא דינה בת לאה “And Dinah the daughter of Leah went out to look among the daughters of the land.” She was subsequently defiled by Shechem. Though she was truly righteous, the spirit of her father Yaakov Avinu internalized in her being, […]
