Today we’re going to explore a very simple question. Did Yaakov know that Yosef was alive? (Let us clarify: An answer of “yes” this does not mean that Yaakov knew Yosef was a ruler … more

The five books of the Torah contain four instances of the Hebrew word chalilah (far be it). It appears twice in Parashat Miketz: “And they [the brothers] said to him [the overseer of … more

One of the fascinating aspects of actual Torah study comes in the subtlety of language. How a specific word (and sometimes even a single letter) is used opens the door to interpretation that is lost … more

In her opening remarks following U.N. Security Council Resolution 2334 (which states that Jewish settlements are impeding the peace process in the Middle East, have no legal validity and must stop ), … more

Sefer Bereishit contains the narratives of a number of larger-than-life individuals whose values and behaviors guide us until this very moment. In broad terms, it is the story of Adam and Eve, Noah, … more

When we read the story of Yosef and his brothers carefully, a number of things jump out at us that mirror the Torah’s narrative from the depiction of creation. … more

Compromise is a challenging word, ranging from the noble to the naïve. How does one know when compromise is called for, and when it is actually a tragic mistake? … more

It was a small mutzav (fortified position) on the Qasmiyeh Bridge, deep in the IDF security zone in Lebanon and far from the border and Hezbollah, until the IDF, as part of a gradual withdrawal, … more

Parashat Vayishlach contains the rather perplexing pasuk: “And G-d went up from him [Jacob] in the place where He had spoken with him.” (Bereishit 35:13)* We immediately find that … more

We are a people who are proud to honor the Bris Milah and willingly and unquestioningly circumcise our sons. We do this because of our commitment to our end of the Covenant, and our belief that as … more