Parshat Shavua

Shemot: A phenomenon of this war

There is a phenomenon associated with the current tragic war, which we must preserve well beyond it.

Talking Parsha - Shemot

Parashat Shemot: Hashem wanted to kill Moshe??

As Moshe was returning from Egypt, Hashem tried to kill him. What prompted Hashem's initial intent? Why did circumcising his son save him?

Let us multiply and spread

Growth as a direct, beneficial consequence of trauma.

Leading a nation

A leader's strength is in redirecting behavior, turning a snake into a staff.

Lesson in the parasha about Israel: Burial in the Holy Land

Why was it so important for Yaakov to be buried specifically within Eretz Yisrael?

Vayechi: Jacob's Sword and Bow

Israel's first Chief Rabbi: The sword and bow mentioned by Jacob are symbols of much deeper issues.

Talking Parsha - Vayechi:

Parashat Vayechi: Yosef still hates his brothers??

After returning from burying Yaakov, the brothers worry that Yosef harbors resentment towards them. What led to this fear?

Eretz Yisrael in the parsha: Shiloh

Young religious Zionist Torah scholars on the connection between the parsha and the Land.

Talking Parsha - Vayigash: This is what Yehuda said??

This week, we delved into Yehuda's impactful speech as he approached Yosef—an address that moved Yosef to tears.

Parshat Vayigash: Letting the tears flow

There is only so long we can put on brave faces without making space for the latent grief and fear within us. Yosef's tears teach us that.

Rabbi S.R. Hirsch on the parsha: Should we pave our own path?

Individuality is valuable but only if the Torah lies at its core.

Talking Parsha - Miketz:

Who are the dreams for - Pharaoh or Yosef??

What makes these dreams particularly unsettling for Pharaoh? What elements within them shake him to the core?

Eretz Yisrael in the Parasha: How is Zion connected to Joseph

Religious Zionist Torah scholars find connections between each parsha and Eretz Yisrael.

The Parsha and Current Events: The dreams of kings

There are many scenarios but all will center around our prophets’ predictions that under Hashem, we will be the torchbearers of a new era,

Miketz: Joseph's test

Joseph created a scene that almost exactly reenacted his own story.

Rabbi Hirsch on the parsha:Is your wife on the same page as you?

Asnas came from a very different background than Yosef, but she embraced his vision.

Vayeishev: Joseph's labors in exile

Israel's first Chief Rabbi: Ultimately, how much of our lives and pursuits truly matter? 

The Jewish Heart is beating stronger than ever

No, we have not betrayed our mission: Yehudah, Tamar and a Hanukkah drama

Talking Parsha - Vayeshev: What did Potiphar's wife really want?

This week, we delved into the well-known narrative of Potiphar's wife and her desire for Yosef.

No rest for the righteous in this world

The pasuk says וישב יעקב: ‘and Yaakov dwelt’, it clearly has the second meaning

Yoseph's lesson: Combating indifference today

We cannot stand idly by while conflict persists in Israel. Allowing ourselves to grow indifferent risks enabling tragedy.

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch on the parsha: Keep burning

Hashem wants every aspect of our life to be fuel for His fire.

Talking Parsha - Vayishlach: Dina's story - what's it about??

Why is the story of Dina being taken captive different from those of Sarah and Rivka? What does it signify, and why does it differ?

VaYishlach: The conflict between Jacob and Esau

Israel's first Chief Rabbi: The struggle between Esau and Jacob is not just a family feud.

Eretz Yisrael in the parsha

Young Religious Zionist Torah scholars find the connections between the parsha and Eretz Yisrael.

Vayishlach: Winning a war may be necessary, but it bears a price

The Chief Rabbi writes that there are no unscathed winners in a war, but that sometimes they must be fought.

The Parsha and Current Events: We have returned

For 2000 years the land of Israel was in suspension, as a wife impatiently awaits the return of her beloved husband who was called away.

Parashat Vayishlach: Israel’s first war

Read the Maharal on Shimon and Levi: They understoodl that if this outrage was unpunished, then no Hebrew would ever be safe again

Jacob's ladder is Jacob himself!

It is the will of Hashem, that a Jew be engaged in this physical world, and, in it, find a way to remain sanctified to Hashem.

How to respond to today's Lavan

Responding to our enemies and 'world opinion' - a timely insight from the parasha.

Vayetze: A time of strength, not darkness

A time of war can feel like darkness. But we are not in a place of darkness. We are in a place of strength.

Talking Parsha - Vayetze: The first antisemites?

Before Yaakov's return to Eretz Yisrael, the Torah presents several reasons influencing his decision.

Parashat Vayetzei: God of society

“The merit of Eretz Yisrael will protect me and my family, that no harm should befall us, and no harm should befall all of Israel…”

Eretz Yisrael in the parsha: Shechina and Blessings

Young religious Zionist Torah scholars find allusions to Eretz Yisrael in the parsha:

Talking Parsha - Toldot: Does she have twins??

Why does Rivka, a righteous figure & a matriarch, question herself due to her pregnancy? Why is it a surprise when she gives birth to twins?

We fed the crocodile for too long: Israel's mission today

Maybe Rivkah didn't want to deceive her husband, she just wanted Jacob to display another side.

Toldot: Hashem accepted Isaac's prayer, not Rivkah's

This thorny question as seen in the eyes of various commenttators.

Betrayal has made the Jewish core emerge

We were once proud to say, “My best friend is Muslim,” but it turned out that some of them were not really our friends...

Toldot: The material and spiritual missions and their blessings

Isaac had hoped that cooperation would be possible between his two sons. It was not to be.

Chayei Sarah: Princess of her people and the world

Israel's first Chief Rabbi: From Sarah, we inherited the sanctity of deed that develops the unique holiness of the Jewish people.

The Parsha and Current Events: Where are the Miracles?

As I write, our valiant soldiers are facing off against the Islamic Nazis in Gaza City with miraculous stories of military successes.

Chayei Sarah and the tragic war: The Jewish people is one family

The contribution to the Jewish people is being made by so many whose names we do not know.

Rav Samson R. Hirsch on the parsha: Are adolescents innocent?

They can be – if they follow Sarah and Rivkah’s example.

Vayera:: Don't look back

Israel's first Chief Rabbi: The depravity of the inhabitants of Sodom was so monstrous that it was beyond all hope of reformation.

Vayera: Abraham’s resilience

Israelis today are demonstrating to the rest of the world their physical and spiritual resilience and determination, learning from Abraham.

Talking Parsha - Vayera: Lot's wife - why pillar of salt??

Unravel the reasons behind why Lot's wife became a pillar of salt, and why her punishment was so severe.

Parshat Vayeira: It’s what you do that counts

During the current tragic war in Israel, I have been so inspired by the actions, by the practical elements of what so many people are doing.

Vayera: The test of Isaac

The traditional view is that the story is a test of Abraham’s faith, which somehow involves Isaac.

From the Battle of Amalek to the war with Hamas

Those who neglect history risk repeating its mistakes. Here are some key takeaways from the Battle of Amalek that remain pertinent today.

One day the world will thank us for fighting evil

Lessons from Parshas Lech Lecha in how to respond to the Hamas massacre of our people.

Avraham descended to Egypt-why?

Why would a famine make Abraham leave the land G-d had told him to go to?

Eretz Yisrael in the parsha: Entering the land after Moses dies

What was the urgency of entering the Land after Moses' death?

Rabbi Hirsch on the parsha: Avraham, the first “Protestant”

​​​​​​​We’re supposed to change the world, not Torah.

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch on mankind: Are we born good?

A famous verse ןמ Genesis 8 seems to suggest otherwise.

Eradicating Impurities from Eretz Yisrael

Am Yisrael is poised to eradicate the tuma (impurities) from Eretz Yisrael.

Talking Parsha - Noach: Why have a rainbow??

What is the significance of the rainbow? What purpose does it serve, and what does it truly mean?

Eretz Yisrael in the parasha

Religious Zionists study conneitions to the Holy Land in the parasha.

Parashat Bereshit: "Let's" create humankind?? (Talking Parsha - Bereshit)

This week for Bereshit, we tried to understand, when Hashem says "let's create a man in our image" - who's He talking to?

Eretz Yisrael in the Parasha: G-d created the world

If the Torah is a sefer of mitzvot, why does the Torah start with Creation and not the first mitzvah?

The simcha of Zebulun and of Issachar.

The wonderful Torah supporting partnership of Zebulun and Asher is explored y various Torah Sages as we prepare for Simchat Torah.