Girded with Torah, ever-stronger Emunah, and physical prowess graced from Above, we will march onward to complete Redemption.
Why did Jacob and Rachel argue about a name moments before her death?
Young,Religious Zionist Torah scholars connect the weekly Torah reading to love of Eretz Yisrael.
Did Shimon and Levi over-react by massacring Shechem and his entire city?
The polite rejection of any gift has a caveat. By rejecting the gift, we also reject the expected interaction expressed by the giving party.
A person’s l.egacy is not confined to a physical marker
The truth is that no one person can have everything.
The wicked, in their own eyes, consider themselves to be tzaddikim, and that all that is given to them is their due.
Esav sought to escape Yaakov's influence.
The story of Jacob and the angel points to a time when the Jewish people will stand at the edge of return to their ancestral homeland, but hesitate to take the final step.
By acknowledging our shared history, we can and must begin to build bridges instead of walls.
All Divine revelations to the patriarchs dealt with establishing the people of Israel – that they would multiply, inherit the Land, and bring blessing to all peoples. Blessed are the soldiers fighting with self-sacrifice and defending the people and the Land. The Levites and priests participated in Israel’s wars.
The gleam in Rav Tzvi Yehuda Kook's eyes sparkled with extra warmth when he met with students from abroad who he hoped would move to Israel. When a Jew lives in Israel, his whole life is a mitzvah. A mitzvah which is equal in weight to all of the mitzvot of the Torah.
An introduction to the published correspondence of Rav Yitzchok Hutner, by Rabbi Israel Meir Kirzner.
"We make a mistake when we think religion is only about believing. It’s also about belonging; and belonging is about community, that delicate yet powerful network of relationships where we learn moral literacy – by being there for other people when they need us, knowing that they’ll be there for us when we need them." - Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
The essence of Yaakov is truth=emet, in its truest form.
The Tanya compacts four millennia of Jewish wisdom to answer the great personal and existential questions of life. It has revolutionized the way we think about G -d the human soul, the world and our place in it.
Rabbi Meir Fendel zt”l was a true hero in Klal Yisroel who created thousands of frum homes – facts on the ground. He changed the face of New York’s Jewish community.
Even in th. Messianic Era, the divide between Rachel and Leah will continue, with two Messianic leaders
Divine Providence guides man in his ways in accord with man’s faith and trust in God.
What was the significance of Yaakov's dream of the ladder and angels? A selection of commentators' answers to the question.
No missing links.
Our dream, right now, is “Beshuv Hashem et-shivat Tziyyon” — “May Hashem enable the captives of Zion to come home.”
The explanation of Yaakov’s vision can provide much poignancy vis-a-vis a future episode in Yaakov’s life–namely
Am Yisrael is a family. We know it’s true. When Am Yisrael is in danger, we all ignore our differences and jump into action,
G-d is our father… and our lawgiver.
First, we must love Judaism ourselves. Then, we can impart this love to our children.
To love being Jewish is to strive to be as close to Hashem as humanly possible. And to be close to Hashem means to live in the land He gave the Jewish people.
Why did Hashem send Yaakov the angels on the ladder vision now?
Yaakov understood that through the holiness of Eretz Yisrael, which was the “house of G-d and the gate of heaven,” he would be able to fulfill his task of connecting heaven and earth.
Over and over, the Book of Bereshit emphasizes the centrality of Eretz Yisrael to Jewish life. Instead of merely reading through the events described in the Torah portion “Vayetze” in a superficial fashion, let’s take a deeper look through the eyes of our Sages.
A halachic perspective on presidential pardons. Op-ed.
The Tanya compacts four millennia of Jewish wisdom to answer the great personal and existential questions of life. It has revolutionized the way we think about G -d the human soul, the world and our place in it.
The pattern of Jewish history throughout the ages is Churban, Golus, Geulah – Destruction, Exile, Redemption.
It is a great commandment from the Torah to save a person in danger. When it comes to saving all of Israel, it is considered a clear obligatory war. The commandment to study Torah does not override the commandment to enlist in the army but the discussion about the government’s survival is a different matter and coercive conscription is not feasible
In tribute to Rabbi Aharon Ankri zts"l, killed in a car accident several days ago.
One who truly cares about avoiding sin protects himself by distancing himself from it.
Relgious Zionist Torah scholars research connections between the weekly Torah readings and the Holy Land.
Two exceptions to the rule of not making a bracha on a minhag occur this month.
Rivkah didn't want to deceive her husband, She Just wanted Jacob to display another side.
There are two different paths of change available to us. f God provided us with two paths, then clearly both are needed, but what are they?
What is your most favourite outfit of clothing? For what special occasion did you wear it?
G-d lets Yitzchak know that the land of Israel will belong to the incredibly numerous heirs of Avraham and Yitzchak and eventually Yaakov, because of the fact that Avraham followed the entirety of G-d’s commandments
The actions of the Patriarchs were not performed in their time for their needs alone, but to give strength to their descendants. How did Jacob's tricking his father fall into that category?
Honoring those performing a mitzvah reminds us of and reinforces our appreciation for the great value of mitzvah observance.
G-d would not inform Isaac that Esau was beyond salvation, beyond hope. G-d would not shatter his father’s heart with such news though Isaac already had an inkling that this was so.
What is the reason God wanted Yitschak to think he was blessing Esav?
Loving each child unconditionally is a basic tenet of parenthood.
On this Thanksgiving Day, it looks like American Jewry is not going anywhere.
Even if she could fool Yitzchak, there's no fooling G-d.
The focus of the blessing given to Jacob, when disguised as Esau, is materialistic. In contrast, the focus of the blessing given to Jacob at the end of the Parasha is spiritual.
This lecture was translated into English during the renowned Rabbi's lifetime and is an enlightening read.
There is just so much malicious evil that we have to cope with in this country, but we will prevail.
Are Jews allowed to celebrate Thanksgiving? Read Rabbi Soloveitchik's answer.
Does darkness win? It feels that way sometimes. But it doesn’t have to. HIstory shows the resilience of light.
One who transgresses the prohibition of divination, nullifies the commandment to act with simplicity before God. It is forbidden to use divination or sorcery even for promoting good purposes.
Young Religious Zionist Torah scholars connect the Torah Reading with the Land of Israel.
All of Israel emanates from Sarah; likewise all the converts who joined the Nation during every generation, even though they are not directly linked by a biological chain. Every convert is called the son of Sarah.
Rav Kook held the acting commissioner responsible for British inaction during the Hevron massacre and refused his outstretched hand.
