Parashat Vayechi 

The Gift of Teshuvah! 

Genesis: A Book of Fraternal Feuds!  

Israel Reunited in Egypt but Trapped in Exile!  

We conclude the book of Genesis this week with the reading of Vayechi, which describes the final words of Yaakov before he dies and is buried in the Machpelah Cave in Israel. His children have at last reconciled and reunited, but at what a price, as the first chill of their approaching enslavement can already be felt. 

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Parashat Vayigash 

“What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.” So says Shakespeare. But the Torah assigns great significance to names. So when Yaakov is referred to as both "Yaakov" and "Yisrael" in a single narrative, there must be an explanation.  

Vayigash (Genesis 44:18 - 47:27)  

Parashat Vayigash is read on Shabbat:  

Tevet 11, 5784/December 23, 2023

Parashat Vayigash 

3 Days in Tevet 

Israel's Multi-front War  

Yosef Reunites with his Brothers  

Israel advances in its war in the south to destroy Hamas, even as it engages in war in the north against Hezbollah and other Iranian proxies in Syria, and even as it guards against the Houthis in Yemen and fights terror in Judea and Samaria. The 8th, 9th and 10th of Tevet are all days of mourning for Israel. The 10th is a fast day commemorating the beginning of the Babylonian siege against Jerusalem that ultimately led to the destruction of the first Holy Temple. And Yosef reunites with his brothers and welcomes his father to Egypt, of which we will talk about more next week!

Parashat Miketz 

What's in a dream? Our entire future, it would seem, if the dream is properly understood by a wise interpreter. Yosef was just that person, wise and gifted with enough nerve to stand before Pharaoh and tell him how things were going to play out. Today our leaders don't put much stock in dreams. Nevertheless, armed with cutting edge technology and teams of expert interpreters, our leaders, more often than not, remain entirely in the dark.  

Miketz (Genesis 41:1 - 44:17)  

Parashat Miketz is read on Shabbat:  

Tevet 4, 5784/December 16, 2023

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 Parashat Miketz

Yosef Recognizes His Brothers!

The Lights of Chanukah - Vanquishing the Darkness!  

Brotherly Love Comes Natural for Israel!  

We continue to read the saga of Yosef and his brothers, and to live it, as well, as following a year of sibling contention, Israel has rediscovered her natural love for one another. If we don't love one another, who will? Chanukah, the holiday of Jewish pride and empowerment continues to inspire, and the IDF is bringing light to the darkness of Gaza. 

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Parashat Vayeshev 

Were Yosef's dreams of grandeur a self fulfilling prophecy? Or was his rise to authority in Egypt, the world's super power at the time, a mere coincidence? And did Yaakov's attempt to steer things in a different direction only help to facilitate what he was trying to avoid? 

Vayeshev (Genesis 37:1 - 40:23) 

Parashat Vayeshev is read on Shabbat: 

Kislev 26, 5784/December 9, 2023 

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Parashat Vayeshev

Yosef in Search of His Brothers!

Chanukah - The Festival of Lights!  

The Evil Rot of America's Elite Universities!  

Yosef locates his brothers as his father requested, only to discover that they have plotted against him. Thus begins the sad saga of Israel's descent into Egyptian enslavement. Today it's the self-proclaimed human rights warriors and the alleged guardians of higher education and enlightenment who have descended into the depravity of justifying any horror committed as long as it's being committed to an Israeli or a Jew, man, woman or child.

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Parashat Vayishlach

Rape. It's a blight on humanity but it's not going to go away by itself. It must be dealt with, but how? Yaakov's sons Shimon and Levi provide an answer, harsh, but effective.  

Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4 - 36:43)  

Parashat Vayishlach is read on Shabbat:  

Kislev 19, 5784/December 2, 2023 

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