Rabbi Avi Billet
627 results total, viewing 1 - 10
This week’s parsha , Yisro, begins by telling us that Yisro heard what G-d had done for Israel in taking them out of Egypt: Yisro, father-in-law of Moshe, took Zipporah, wife of Moshe, … more
After Moshe followed the instructions that made the waters of Marah drinkable, we are told, “There he taught them ‘chok u’mishpat’ and there he tested them.” The simple … more
When one reads the opening of Parshat Bo, it is hard to ignore the question of who has the bigger ego — Pharaoh or G-d? Over the course of the previous seven plagues, Pharaoh has actually … more
One of the most difficult questions we face when looking at the narrative of the plagues in this week’s parsha, Vaera, in understanding verse 3 in chapter 7. In explaining how the plagues will … more
When the Israelites leave Egypt, there is much discussion as to how they received the wealth they took with them from Egypt. Was it borrowed, taken — or received as a gift or payment for the … more
By the time Yaakov dies at age 147, in parashat Vayechi , his sons range in age from 62 (Reuven) to 56 (Yosef, Zevulun, and possibly Asher), to around 48 (Binyamin). As we know how old Yosef is … more
W hen we read the story of Yosef and his brothers carefully, a number of things jump out at us that mirror the Torah’s narrative from the depiction of creation. Beginning with … more
This is adapted from a column published in 2008. I can’t get the Holtzbergs out of my head. Not just because their images are all over the news and on every Jewish web site or because … more
In Parshat Ki Seitzei we are told about a man who has two wives, one who is beloved ( ahuva ) and one who is detested ( s’nuah ) (Devarim 21:15). Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch notes that the term … more
Our parsha, Toldot, shares three stories. The first is the background to the birth of Eisav and Yaakov and the sale of the bechora (birthright); the second is in the chapter dedicated to the life of … more
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