Vayechi (Genesis 47, 28 – 50, 26) – Jacob’s blessing of his sons
In the Torah reading of Vayechi, Jacob before he is about to die calls his sons together so that he can tell them of their future – “And Jacob called…
Vayigash (Genesis 44, 18 – 47, 27) – Judah, the real hero of the story of Joseph
The Torah reading of Vayigash opens with one of the most moving speeches in the Biblical literature. Judah delivers the moving speech on behalf of Benjamin who had been taken…
Miketz (Genesis 41, 1 – 44, 17) – the tshuva of Joseph
The term tshuva, which is a central concept of the Jewish tradition, is often translated inadequately as repentance, but literally means return in the sense of a return to the…
Vayeshev (Genesis 37, 1 – 40, 23) – the story of Judah and Tamar
Seemingly, the story of Judah and Tamar (Genesis 38) appears out of place, and is inserted in the middle of the story of Joseph and his brothers. Rashi (the great…
Vayishlach (Genesis 32, 4 – 36, 43) – the tshuva of Jacob
The term tshuva (תשובה), which is a central concept of the Jewish tradition, is often translated inadequately as repentance, but literally means return in the sense of a return to…
Vayetzei (Genesis 28, 10 – 32, 3) – how is Jacob a person of truth according to the Jewish tradition when he deceives not only his brother but also his father?
Psalm 15 speaks of one who may dwell in the Tabernacle of the Lord, and on the holy mountain of the Lord – and, among other things, the psalm describes…
Toldot (Genesis 25, 19 – 28, 9) – was Isaac blind spiritually?
Two things stand out regarding Isaac. First, the Bible tells us that Isaac is blind physically (Genesis 27, 1) – and, seemingly he is also blind from a spiritual point…
Chayei Sarah (Genesis 23, 1 – 25, 18) – Abraham’s humility
The Torah reading Chayei Sarah begins with the death of Sarah – and Abraham then seeking a burial place for Sarah. Abraham wants to buy the cave of Machpelah, which…
3 Vayera (Genesis 18, 1 – 22, 24) – a literary analysis of the story of the binding of Isaac
One of the most popular ways of understanding the story of the binding of Isaac through the ages, especially from a religious point of view, is that Abraham’s silence and…
2 Vayera (Genesis 18, 1 – 22, 24) – did Abraham pass his test in the story of the binding of Isaac?
The obvious question in relation to the story of the binding of Isaac arises in comparison with the previous story of Sodom and Gomorrah. In the story of Sodom and…