Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat vAYISHLACH (link to original page) Parshat Vayishlach "And Yaakov was left alone" – Said Rabbi Elazar: He remained (he had forgotten) for small items. From this we learn that tsaddikim value their property more than their persons. And why is this? Because they do not steal. (Bavli Hullin, 91a) "And Yaakov was left alone": Our Rabbis expounded 'alone' (ודבל) were written 'for his pitcher (ודכל), to teach that he returned for small vessels, to teach that tsaddikim value their property so that they distance themselves from theft – thus did Rashi...
Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat (link to original page) Parshat Vayetze So Yaakov worked seven years for Rachel, yet they were in his eyes as but a few days, because of his love for her. (Bereishit 28:20) "As but a few days": Subjective Time " . . .they were in his eyes as but a few days . . ." – Because he thought that she was worthy of a much higher price. ". . . because of his love for her." – Because love distorts judgement. (Sforno, Breishit 28:20) " . . .they were in...
Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat Toldot (link to original page) Parshat Toldot "He came close and kissed him . . .and blessed him . . . So may God give you from the dew of the heavens, from the fat of the earth . . (Bereishit 27:27-28) "And Yitzhak his father answered, saying to him: Behold, from the fat of the earth must be your dwelling place, from the dew of the heavens above. You will live by your sword, you will serve your brother. (Bereishit 27:39-40) God Shows No Favoritism: Said Rabbi Hanin: Whoever says...
Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat Chayey Sara (link to original page) Parshat Chayey Sara "My lord – hear me! A piece of land worth four hundred silver weight, what is that between me and you! You may bury your dead!" (Bereishit 23;14-15) The Cave of Makhpela – Rav and Shmuel (debated). One said – two rooms, one within the other, and the other said – a room and an attic above it [Trans. note – both Rav and Shmuel see the word "Makhpela" based upon the root k'f'l', which means "double"). We have no difficulty...
Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat Vayera (link to original page) Parshat Vayera "Indeed I will bless you, I will make your seed many, yes, many, like the stars of the heavens and like the sand that is on the shore of the sea. Your seed shall inherit the gate of their enemies." Bereishit 22:17 Like the stars of the heavens – like the sand of the earth? Just as the stars rule only at night, so Israel rules the Torah only at night. Just as the stars honor each other, and there is peace between...
Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat (link to original page) Parshat Lech Lecha "One day the divine beings presented themselves before the Lord, and the Adversary (ha-satan) came along with them. The Lord said to the Adversary, "Where have you been?" The Adversary answered etc." He said to Him: Master of the Universe, I have been roaming over all the world, and I have found no one as faithful as Avraham, to whom you said: (Gen.13) "Rise, walk about through the land in its length and in its breadth, for I will give it to you." (Even)...
Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat Noah (link to original page) Parshat Noah 5761 "I will establish my covenant with you: All flesh shall never be cut off again by waters of the Deluge, never again shall there be a Deluge, to bring the earth to ruin! And God said: This is the sign of the covenant which I set between me and you and all living things that are with you, for ageless generations." (Bereishit 9:11-12) Sign and Memory, Covenant and Responsibility The Holy One, Blessed Be He, did more than promise; He established a sign...
Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat (link to original page) Parshat Bereshit 5761 "By the sweat of your brow shall you eat bread until you return to the soil, for from it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust shall you return". (Genesis 3:19) Said Rebi Yehoshua ben Levi: When the Holy One, Blessed Be He, said to Adam (Gen. 3) "Thorn and sting-shrub shall it spring up for you" tears flowed from his eyes. He said to Him: "Master of the Universe, I and my donkey are to eat from the same trough?!"...
Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat (link to original page) Parshat Pinchas 5760 And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and Korah, at the death of the community, at the consuming by fire of the fifty and two hundred men: they became a signal-of-warning. "The sound of your brother's blood . . ." Earth which has absorbed innocent blood takes revenge of her children. Said Rav Yehuda son of Rabbi Hiyya: From the day when the earth opened its mouth and received the blood of Abel, it never opened again, as is written, (Isaiah 24)...
Shabbat Shalom The weekly parsha commentary – parshat (link to original page) Parshat Nasso – Shavouth May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord shine his face upon you and favor you. May the Lord lift up his face toward you and grant you Shalom! (Numbers 6:24-26) May the Lord bless you – your possessions and protect you – your possessions. Rav Natan said: May the Lord bless you – your possessions, and protect you – your person. Rabbi Yitchak said: . . . and protect you – from the evil inclination. May the Lord shine...