Parshat Toldot – Too Close For Comfort
by Rabbi Gidon Shoshan In Parshas Toldos, the Torah tells us of Rivka’s unusually difficult pregnancy. Quoting the Midrash, Rashi tells us of the strange pains that bothered her as she carried her unborn children. Each time she would pass places of holiness such as the yeshiva of Shem and Ever, one of the two […]
Hagaon Rav Rav Moshe Sofer zt”l on Parshat Toldot
from Chatam Sofer on the Torah, p. 109: “Al Kein,” and p. 111: “Velama” ) Eisav is Edom When Eisav came into the world, he was all red and hairy, yet he was not yet called Edom or Seir. Why not? Because something’s name should refer to its essential content and not to superficial or […]
Hagaon Rav Yosef Dov Ber Soloveitchik zt”l on Parshat Chayei Sarah
(from the Beis Halevi on the Torah — Hagaon Rav Yosef Dov Ber [Yoshe Ber] Soloveitchik zt”l [1820-1892] rav of Brisk and one of the Roshei Yeshiva of Volozhin, combined complete mastery of Torah with keen analysis. He combined humility with strong leadership and, like Rivka in the piece that follows, kindness with wisdom and […]
The Vilna Gaon on Parshat Vayeira
From Kol Eliahu on Parshat Shavua) The Eshel “He planted an eshel in Beer Sheva.” (Breishit 21:33) What is this “eshel”? Its straightforward meaning is a type of tree, but the Sages (Midrash Tehilim) explain that eshel (alef, shin, lamed) is an acronym for “akhila” (eating), “shtia” (drinking), and “levaya” (escorting). Avraham’s hospitality had two […]
Parshat Lech Lecha – Leaving or Going?
by Rabbi Avraham Fisher I recently read a wonderful book, “Turbulent Souls,” a memoir of spiritual journeys, by Stephen J. Dubner. Mainly, it tells how the author, the youngest of eight children in a Catholic family, having discovered that both of his parents had been born Jewish, sets out to create an identity for himself. […]
Rav Dessler on Parshat Noach
(From Mikhtav Mei’Eliahu) [Rav Eliahu Dessler zt”l (1892-1953) was one of the great contemporary thinkers and spiritual leaders of the Mussar Movement. He served as mashgiach ruchani in the Gateshead and Ponevitch Yeshivas and his subtle thinking and moral guidance had far-reaching effects through the publication of his mussar talks in Michtav Mei’Eliahu.] The Ark […]
Parshat Bereishit- Why was Chava Called Chava?” by Rabbi Binyomin Adilman
One of the jobs that Adam HaRishon had in Gan Eden was to assign names to all of the living creatures that Hashem created (Bereishis 2:19-20). The names he gave them became the names we use to this day. Amongst all those creatures however, he didn’t find a helpmate, a partner to be by his […]
Parsha Bereishit- Rav Simcha Bunim: Adam’s Vegetarianism – read
(from Kol Simcha Parshat Bereishit #10) Two verses following man’s creation (Bereishit 1:29-30) outline man’s and animal’s vegetarian diets. 29: “Said G-d, ‘Behold I have given you all the seed-bearing vegetation on the face of the earth, along with every tree that has seed bearing fruit. They will be for you for food. 30: “‘And […]
Midreshet Rachel v’Chaya has Moved
Our new location is at Lev HaGiva Building, 11 Beit Hadefus St., Floor -2 in Givat Shaul. To get to our new location: Here are a few ways that you can get to our new location: You can take either the 67 or 33 bus and it will stop outside the building, the stop is […]
My-36 Project
Shapell’s/Darche Noam and Midreshet Rachel v’Chaya are celebrating 36 years. Over the past decades, we have been changing the lives of young men and women from across the globe by nurturing self- growth and development, Torah skill and knowledge. My-36 project, is a global campaign to help Shapell’s and Midreshet Rachel lay down the foundations […]