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 […]