Posts from November 2012

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Vayishlach 5773

by Rabbi Yaakov Grunewald

The Sidra of Vayishlach begins with the story of Jacob’s return to the land of Canaan after 20 years of absence. He was extremely concerned about meeting Esau, and was determined to do all in his power to secure peaceful coexistence with him. Therefore, he sent messengers to speak to him as humbly as they […]

Vayetze 5773

by Rabbi Yaakov Grunewald

The Sidra of Vayetze begins with Jacob’s famous dream, which he dreamt on the night when he left his home, in Be’er Sheva, on his way to Haran. There is a story about a Jew who once boasted to his friends by telling them: ‘I was at a very large museum in an important city […]

Toldot 5773

by Rabbi Yaakov Grunewald

The first section of the Sidra of Tol’dot is devoted to the birth of Isaac’s and Rebecca’s two boys, Jacob and Esau. Sadly, at first, Rebecca did not have any children and there was sadness in the home. Eventually, Rebecca became pregnant. Her pregnancy was unusual in the sense that the children clashed inside her […]

Chayei-Sarah 5773

by Rabbi Yaakov Grunewald

This Sidra focuses on Abraham’s private life.  It mentions three funerals and two marriages. The funerals are those of Abraham, Sarah and Ishmael. The marriages are those of Isaac who married Rebecca and Abraham who married his second wife, Keturah, who, some rabbis thought, was Hagar. The Sidra begins with Sarah’s death at the age […]