Torah Library

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

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.

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

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

Print PDF By Rabbi Shloimie Lindenbaum   ויצא יעקב מבאר שבע וילך חרנה (פרק כח פסוק י) Our Parsha continues the story that began last week by telling us that Yaakov left באר שבע and went to חרן. The בית הלוי asks, why must we say where he left from?

Print PDF By Rabbi Nafoly Bier   In our daily תפילות, prayers, we entreat Hashem,  “ויחד לבבינו לאהבה וליראה את שמך”, “and unify our hearts to love and fear Your Name.” (דוד המלך entreats the same in singular Psalms 86:11). Aren’t these two, to love and fear, diametrically opposite emotions?

Print PDF By Rabbi Shloimie Lindenbaum   ויתרצצו הבנים בקרבה (פרק כה פסוק כב) When Rivkah was expecting Yaakov and Eisav the Torah tells us that there was a lot of movement inside of her. Rashi, in one explanation, says that every time she passed by a בית מדרש Yaakov

Print PDF By Rabbi Naftoly Bier   The Torah, chapter 27:15-20, relates the happenings concerning wells which Avrohom Avinu dug that were subsequently filled with earth by the Philistines and then redug by Yitzchok Avinu. “As a simple story,” the Ramban states, “it has no meaningful lesson and honor to

Print PDF By Rabbi Shloimie Lindenbaum   ואחרי כן קבר אברהם את שרה אשתו (פרק כג פסוק יט) The Torah describes in detail Avraham’s acquisition of a burial plot for Sarah. He approaches the people of Ches, who show him tremendous respect and insist that it would be an honor

Print PDF By Rabbi Naftoly Bier   In this week’s Parsha (פרק כ”ד:ס”ג) it states: “ויצא יצחק לשוח בשדה” “And our patriarch Isaac went…”. There are two explanations given. Rabbeinu Bachye teaches that the ‘simple’ meaning is that Yitzchok went to the field to enjoy the beauty of nature,  “שיח