Weekly Parasha

In this week’s Parasha, Vayigash, we learn about Jacob’s final journey: to Egypt. This journey doesn’t start in Egypt but in the dark, sacred pause just before it. In Genesis […]

  Parashat Miketz almost always coincides with Hanukkah, and that “almost always” is itself a kind of commentary. It prompts the question: what happens when the Torah’s story of Yosef […]

  I have always been puzzled by a story in this week’s Parasha, Vayishlach. In the Parasha, , we learn of the death of Rachel (Genesis 35:15-19). The text tells […]

  Genesis 28:16 may be one of the most mysterious verses in the Torah, because in a single startled sentence, Jacob discovers that his ordinary, anonymous campsite has in fact […]

  Jacob’s story can be read as one of deep spiritual purpose, not of jealousy—as someone who stays true to his calling without wishing for Esau’s life or possessions. In […]

  Today’s d’var Torah is dedicated to the memory of my father, Henry Goldwasser, Zicron L’vracha on his fourth Yahrzeit, this Shabbat. This week’s Torah portion is Chayei Sarah (Genesis […]

  The Torah introduces Noach with striking praise: אֵלֶּה תּוֹלְדֹת נֹחַ נֹחַ אִישׁ צַדִּיק תָּמִים הָיָה בְּדֹרֹתָיו אֶת־הָאֱלֹהִים הִתְהַלֶּךְ־נֹחַ׃ “These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a righteous man, […]

  Parashat Bereshit begins with darkness. The Torah’s opening words describe the earth as tohu va’vohu—formless and void—with darkness covering everything. It is a haunting image of chaos and confusion. […]

One of the core spiritual teachings in Parshat Eikev is the intertwining of gratitude and humility, particularly in moments of achievement and abundance. As Moses addresses the Israelites before they […]