Parshat Mikeitz – Pharaoh’s Dream
by Rabbi Yehuda Schnall Pharaoh, we are told at the beginning of Parshat Miketz, rejects his wise mens’ interpretations of his dreams – seven fat and full cows and ears of corn followed by seven lean ones. The Torah uses the expression, “No one could interpret the dream for Pharoah: V’ein Poter Otam LePharaoh” (Bereishit […]
Hagaon Rav Meir Simcha of Dvinsk zt”l on Parshat Mikeitz
(from Meshech Chokhma on the Torah) Yosef’s Unique Education Divine Providence is a central theme in the Torah’s Yosef stories. The process of the Jews’ coming down to Egypt (already foretold to Avraham in Parshat Lech Lecha) develops through the drama of Yosef and his brothers, the famine, and Yosef’s rise to the highest levels […]
Hagaon Rav Yerucham Leibovitz zt”l on Parshat Vayeishev
(from Daas Torah on Bereishit) “Who Needs Struggles?” Our parsha begins with Yaakov innocuously, “living in the land of his fathers’ sojourning,” but Rashi makes an critical comment. “Yaakov wanted to live serenely (b’shalva), but the tumultuous Yosef episode (“rogzo shel Yosef”) jumped up at him. Tzadikim want to live with serenity. The Holy One, […]
Parshat Vayishlach: Giving Esav a Second Chance
by Rabbi Francis Nataf I. Introduction The opening narrative of Parshat Vayishlach recounts the dramatic reunion of Yitzchak’s two sons. Yakov’s fear and apprehension give way to cautious relief as his brother is successfully appeased. Moreover, Esav seems to cave in to brotherly sentiment towards the very same Yakov he had previously marked for bloody […]
Hagaon Rav Shalom Noach Brozofsky zt”l on Parshat Vayishlach
(from Netivot Shalom) Yaakov and Yisrael & Eisav and Lavan Even after his name is changed to Yisrael, Yaakov’s original name is retained, and he is called Yaakov and Yisrael throughout the Torah. As opposed to Avraham and Sarah, whose earlier names Avram and Sarai are dropped totally, Yaakov and Yisrael coexist, referring to two […]
Hagaon Rav Yaakov Wolf Kranz zt”l on Parshat Vayeitzei
from Mishlei Yaakov on the Torah — The Dubno Maggid, zt”l [1740-1804] “What About Yaakov’s Parnassa?” There is a slight inconsistency between G-d’s promise to Yaakov in his dream and Yaakov’s vow to G-d the morning after. G-d says: I will be with you; I will watch over you wherever you go; I will return […]
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 […]
