A heteronym in the Torah appears in three contexts which have too many parallels to be ignored. The prophetess Miriam (M-R-Y-M) appears on the scene to sing about the splitting of the sea, … more

There are many accounts in the midrash about the purpose of the plagues. While the overwhelming approach is that the plagues were meant to be “measure for measure punishment against the … more

For these things I weep; my eye, yea my eye, sheds tears, for the comforter to restore my soul is removed from me; my children are desolate, for the enemy has prevailed.” (Eichah … more

Yosef is sworn to bury Yaakov in the land of Canaan at the very beginning of the Torah portion (47:29-30). After he blesses his sons and gives them his final messages, Yaakov instructs all of his … more

The word terem or b’terem (just before) appears in the Torah close to 20 times, sometimes serving as a dramatic preposition enhancing a narrative tale, setting the stage for the … more

We are well aware of the ages of Yosef and Yaakov in their journeys through Egypt. Yosef was 17 when he was sold, 30 when he stood before Pharaoh, and 39 when his brothers came to Egypt looking … more

After discovering questions that never bothered me before, and using learning skills acquired in classes taught by the late Rabbi Mordechai Breuer, a new approach to the dreams that Yosef … more

Yaakov sends messengers to Eisav telling Eisav his story about having lived with Lavan and having amassed wealth. Perhaps Yaakov is indicating his intent to put the past behind them. “I am … more

In the aftermath of a horrific tragedy in Israel, a comforting letter composed by widows of the murdered expressed a life-focus that appreciates the role G-d plays in their lives. Combine that … more

As the main character in the story of the book of Bereshit, our forefather Yitzchak gets all of one chapter before the tale switches its focus to Yaakov. Towards the end of chapter 26, Yitzchak … more