Parashat Vayeishev (And He Dwelt) Beresheet (Genesis) 37:1-40:23 Haftarah: Amos 2:6-3:8 I want to open this week’s commentary on what the Haftarah says about the significance of prophecy in God’s economy: For the Lord ADONAI, … Read More
The Ancient Root of a Modern Problem
Parashat Vayishlach (And He Sent) Beresheet (Genesis) 32: 3 (4 in the Hebrew Bible)-36:43 Haftarah: Obadiah 1:1-21 In my most recent commentary I referred to Jacob’s dream and the fact that when he woke up … Read More
Who is He?
Parashat Vayeizei (And He Went Forth) Beresheet (Genesis) 28:10-32:3 Haftarah: Hosea 11:7-14:10 I often randomly look around at people passing me on the street, or driving by, and wonder how many of them are aware … Read More
Firstborn Among Many
Parashat Toldot (Offspring) Beresheet (Genesis) 25:19-28:9 Haftarah Malachi 1:1-2:7 During the past couple of weeks, I have been thinking quite a bit about the mystery of the role of the firstborn. In the book of … Read More
Grabbing Hold of Our Spiritual Inheritance
Parashat Chayei Sarah (The Life of Sarah) Beresheet (Genesis) 23:1 – 25:8 Haftarah: I Kings 1:1-31 The Word of God is a living Word. I marvel at the fact that as we read it again … Read More
The Mysteries of God
Parashat Vayeira (And He Appeared) Beresheet (Genesis) 18:1 – 22:24 Haftarah: II Kings 4:1-37 When reading God’s Word, one can see that God has a plan. We all can agree that one of God’s main … Read More
Motivated by Love
Parashat Lech Lecha (Go Forth) Beresheet (Genesis) 12:1-17:27 Haftarah: Isaiah 40:27-41:16 In this week’s parashah, we learn of yet another new beginning: the life of Abram. Abram, who became Abraham, the father of many nations … Read More
Faith Expressed in Obedience
Parashat Noah Beresheet (Genesis) 6:9–11:32 Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1–55:5 During the past weeks of reflecting on the temporary nature of our time on earth, the questions arose, “With what am I filling my time? How am … Read More
Choose Life
Parashat Beresheet: In the Beginning Beresheet (Genesis) 1:1-6:8 Haftarah: Isaiah 42:5-43:10 We are starting another year of the annual cycle of the reading of the Torah – also known as the “Books of Moses” or … Read More
Leaving a Legacy
Parashat Vayechi (And He Lived) Beresheet (Genesis) 47:28–50:26 Haftarah: I Kings 2:1-12 In our Scripture portion this week, we find a touching account of Israel (Jacob) nearing his death and requesting his son Joseph to … Read More