Parshat Veyechi 5781

Parshat Vayechi תשפא I heard this lesson from my Rebbe, Harav Moshe Shapiroזצ"ל , who heard it from his Rebbe, Rav Elyiahu Dessler זצ"ל. This week’s portion, Vayechi, is the last chapter in the book of Bereshit – Genesis. It…

Continue ReadingParshat Veyechi 5781

Vayigash 5781

Vayigash תשפא After sitting in prison for 12 years, Yosef was suddenly called up to interpret Pharaoh’s two disturbing dreams. Yosef accurately interpreted the dreams, which warned Pharaoh of an impending 7-year famine that would wipe out all life in…

Continue ReadingVayigash 5781

Chanukah II

Chanukah ll תשפא Tonight, Tuesday, December 16, the 1st day of the month (“Rosh Chodesh”) of Tevet, is the sixth night of Chanukah. Jews the world over will be lighting six candles in their menorahs to celebrate the sixth day…

Continue ReadingChanukah II

Chanukah 5781

Chanukah תשפא This coming Thursday night we will light the first Chanukah candle. We will then celebrate Chanukah for eight days, adding a candle each night until there are eight. The Talmud (Shabbat 21b) asks, “מאי חנוכה?” What is Chanukah?…

Continue ReadingChanukah 5781

Vayishlach 5781

Vayishlach תשפא The Midrash (Bereshit Rabba 2:4) informs us that from before creation, Hashem knew that the Jewish people were destined to endure four exiles. The Midrash derives it from the second verse in the Torah, which says: (ב) וְהָאָרֶץ…

Continue ReadingVayishlach 5781