Torah

On Jacob's Passing --and Future Generations

VAYECHI, Genesis 47:28-50:26

By:

Rabbi Joshua Runyan

A week after the holiday of Chanukah and its eight glorious nights of ever-increasing light, it's fair to say that when we approach this week's Torah portion, we're still on a spiritual high. And with the darkness of winter fast approaching, this portion's title, Vayechi -- which literally means "and he lived" -- signals the promise of life and fulfillment...

Torah

About Honest Speech and Collective Stories

VAYIGASH, Genesis 44:18-47:27

By:

Rabbi Danielle Stillman

Our experience tells us that talking things out leads to greater clarity and calm in difficult situations. This is the foundation of talk therapy; verbalizing what we are feeling or what happened to us to a listening ear brings us new insights. The impulse to tell our stories is everywhere -- in the memoirs on the bestseller lists and the...

Torah

It's About the Light Through Generations

By:

Rabbi Howard A. Addison

Chanukah is among the most widely celebrated of Jewish festivals. For eight nights, we light the menorah and praise God for the victories of our Maccabean ancestors over the forces of Antiochus centuries ago. We spin dreidels, eat latkes, and sing songs of heroism and thanks. The prime mitzvah of Chanukah is Pirsum Ha Nes -- publicizing the miracle of...

Torah

The Power of Dreams on Lives and Destinies

Vayeshev, Genesis 37:1-40:23

By:

Rabbi Sue Levi Elwell

Vayeshev is a portion of dreams. As it opens, we meet Joseph, and learn that his father loved him "better than his other sons," and this favoritism engenders deep jealousy. Like his father, Jacob, Joseph is a dreamer, and he is cursed and blessed with the ability to interpret dreams. After he shares his dreams, his angry brothers throw him...

Torah

How to Define 'Angels'? Look Among Yourselves

VAYISHLACH, Genesis 32:4-36:43

By:

Rabbi Joshua Runyan

Rabbi Joshua Runyan "Diplomacy," Henry Kissinger once said, "is the art of restraining power." No one lived that maxim more than Jacob, whom we see at the beginning of this week's Torah portion girding himself for war with his twin brother, Esau. Jacob's first move, before he strategically splits his camps and sends a peace offering, is to send messengers...