Divrei Torah
Upper School Video Divrei Torah
Divrei Torah from the Middle School
There is something in this week's parsha, Parshat Bo, that would be fascinating on its own merit, but which takes on an even greater meaning when we look at its application to our very own current events. Two hundred years of slavery inflicted by the Egyptians, followed by a year of plagues and negotiations...
In Parashat Vayechi, before Yaakov blessed his children, he called his sons together and said: "He’asfu—Gather together and I will tell you what will happen at the end of days" (Bereishit 49:1). Then, Yaakov went on to bless his sons. Chazal teach that Yaakov wished to reveal...
Parshat Vayeishev describes the journey of Yosef HaTzadik as he is sold into slavery and brought to the house of Potifar in Egypt. After years of loyal service to Potifar’s household, the Torah describes one of the most difficult tests that a person faces in the Torah—the episode of Yosef and Eishet Potifar. The Torah highlights...
In Parshat Vayishlach, Yaakov is on his way to meet his brother Esav for the first time after many years. In the middle of the night, he wrestles with God or an angel. He is then told that his name will no longer be Yaakov: he will now be called Yisrael, meaning one who struggles with God. To help understand this episode more deeply, it may be useful to consider these questions: What kind of person was Yaakov, and what kind of life did he lead?
Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks describes...
One of the most fascinating parts of this week’s parsha, Parshat Vayetze, is Yaakov’s dream about the ladder with the angels ascending and descending. As the Torah states (28:12):
“וַֽיַּחֲלֹ֗ם וְהִנֵּ֤ה סֻלָּם֙ מֻצָּ֣ב אַ֔רְצָה וְרֹאשׁ֖וֹ מַגִּ֣יעַ הַשָּׁמָ֑יְמָה, וְהִנֵּה֙ מַלְאֲכֵ֣י אֱלֹהִ֔ים עֹלִ֥ים וְיֹרְדִ֖ים בּֽוֹ׃”
“And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to Heaven: and behold the angels of G-d ascending and descending on it.” Ultimately, the dream...