You Wanted Peace? First Comes the Storm.
You Wanted Peace? First Comes the Storm. The opening words of this week’s parsha are quiet, almost gentle: “And Yaakov settled…”Vayeishev Yaakov (Bereishis 37:1) But Chazal tell us this moment wasn’t so calm after all: “Yaakov wished to dwell in peace —and the turmoil of Yosef jumped upon him.” G-d said: “Is it not enough […]
Every Step You Take Matters
Every Step You Take Matters In this week’s parsha, we read about one of the most intense moments in Jewish history: Yaakov fights a heavenly angel — the spiritual force behind Esav. Yaakov wins, but the angel wounds him in the thigh.To remember this moment, the Torah commands: “Therefore, the Jewish people do not eat […]
When a Soul Leaves Home
Our parsha opens with a seemingly unnecessary phrase: “Yaakov left Be’er Sheva and went to Charan.” (Bereishis 28:10) Wouldn’t it have been enough to just say, “He went to Charan”? Rashi explains: “This teaches that when a tzaddik leaves a place, it leaves a mark.While the tzaddik is in the city — he is its […]
No Such Thing as Impossible
Our parsha, Toldos, opens with what seems like a strange repetition: “These are the generations of Yitzchak the son of Avraham — Avraham begot Yitzchak.” (Bereishis 25:19) If we already know Yitzchak is Avraham’s son, why does the Torah repeat it? The commentators, starting with Rashi, explain something fascinating: In their generation, cynical people mocked […]
What Are You Leaving Behind?
At first glance, Parshas Chayei Sarah seems strangely named. The whole parsha deals not with Sarah’s life — but with her death: So why call it “The Life of Sarah”? Because here’s the secret the Torah is teaching us: True life isn’t measured by the years you live.True life is measured by what continues after […]
Why Hasn’t G-d Revealed Himself to You Yet?
Why Hasn’t G-d Revealed Himself to You Yet? When the Rebbe Rashab was just a little boy — four or five years old — he went to his grandfather, the Tzemach Tzedek, for a birthday blessing. As he walked in, he was crying. His grandfather asked him, “Why are you crying?” The little boy answered, […]
The Journey of Your Life Starts Here
The Journey of Your Life Starts Here When Hashem first spoke to Avraham, He didn’t tell him how to build a nation.He didn’t tell him how to change the world. The very first thing Hashem said was:“Lech Lecha — go for yourself.” Leave your land.Leave your birthplace.Leave your father’s house. Why?Because real greatness only begins […]
Are You a Window or a Jewel?
When Hashem told Noach to build the teivah, He gave him exact instructions: the size, the floors, the structure — every detail. But then Hashem added something unusual: “Make a tzohar for the teivah.” What’s a tzohar?Rashi brings two opinions from Chazal: And hidden in these two views is a powerful secret for how you’re […]
Don’t Let The World Get In Your Way
If you’re a religious man returning from the high of Tishrei, you might be asking yourself: Now what? You did the work. You showed up. Davened hard. Fasted. Farbrenged. Made real commitments. But then comes this quiet Shabbos with no shofar, no hakafos, no Neilah. Just Bereishis. And yet, the Rebbeim taught:“The way a person […]