As Yaakov prepares to meet his brother Eisav for the first time in over twenty years, he encounters the spirit of Eisav, with whom he wrestles until daybreak. While Yaakov wins the fight, his hip is...
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Dvar for Vayetzei (Genesis 28:10-32:1)
The Torah tells us that after Yaakov worked to marry first Leah and then Rachel, G-d saw that Leah was hated and provided her with children (29:31). Knowing what we know about Yaakov, how is it...
Dvar for Toldot (Genesis 25:19-28:9)
After Yitzchak amasses a fortune and settles in Gerar, Avimelech asks him to leave because his people become jealous of his wealth. When Yitzchak relocates to Be’er Sheva, Avimelech follows and...
Dvar for Chaye Sarah (Genesis 23:1-25:18)
Just before Yitzchak meets his future wife Rivkah for the first time, the Torah records that he just visited Be’er Lachai Roi (24:62). Rashi explains that Yitzchak went there to bring back Hagar for...
Dvar for Vayeira (Genesis 18:1-22:24)
G-d visits Avraham as he recovers from his circumcision on a hot day. Suddenly Avraham notices three men, rises to greet them, and begs them to stop so that he may provide for his guests (18:3–5)....
Dvar for Lech Lecha (Genesis 12:1-17:27)
When the southern region of Canaan becomes embroiled in a battle involving nine kings, Avram’s nephew Lot is among the captives. When Avram is informed of this, the pasuk refers to him as “Avram the...
Dvar for Noach (Genesis 6:9-11:32)
Once the waters dried up, G-d instructs Noach to leave the ark with his wife, his sons, and the sons' wives (8:15). However, when Noach exits, the order of their exit from the ark is himself, his...
Dvar for Bereishit (Genesis 1:1-6:8)
As we begin Bereishit, after recounting creation and Adam and Chava’s sin of eating from the forbidden tree, life seemingly settles down for Adam and Chava. Adam goes off to work, they have two...
Dvar for Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8)
The Jewish people are divided, with six tribes representing blessings on one mountain (Gerizim) and the remaining six representing curses on another (Eval) (27:12-13). Why did the people have to be...
Dvar for Ki Tetzei (Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19)
Parashas Ki Tetzei contains many laws, including the one to erase the memory of Amalek because of what they did to the Jews on our way out of Egypt (25:17–19). Because Amalek no longer exists as a...