It was a blisteringly hot day, and the shade of the trees offered little respite for the 40 prisoners of the Waldkommando (forest brigade) whose job it was to cut down trees for lumber for the … more

The concluding section of our parasha, Chayei Sharah, presents the first narrative of the Yitzchak and Rivka story. In the midst of these pasukim, we encounter a verse that conceals far more than it … more

One of the great satisfactions of life as an educator is watching a student’s face when “the penny drops,” when a difficulty or question they have struggled with suddenly is resolved. Equally … more

When it came time to find a wife for Yitzchak, Avraham, in this week’s parsha, Chayei Sarah, was very clear in his instructions to his servant. He makes him swear “that you will not … more

The language of the Torah is, in Erich Auerbach’s famous phrase, “fraught with background.” Behind the events that are openly told are shadowy stories left for us to decipher. Hidden beneath … more

Kindergarten children are delightfully oblivious to the distinction between what adults call reality and the imaginary world. For these young children, there is no difference between the people in … more

One of the more fascinating family relationships in the Torah surrounds that of Yaakov with his wives, and that of the wives themselves with one another. The following discussion of parsha Vayetze is … more

The beginning of our parasha, Vayetze, describes the first steps that Ya’akov took on his journey to Haran in order to escape the wrath of his brother, Eisav, and find a fitting wife from his … more

This week’s parsha, Vayeitzei, relates a powerful, primal vision of prayer: Jacob, alone and far from home, lies down for the night, with only stones for a pillow, and dreams of a ladder, with … more

Who am I?” This is the most powerful question. For many of us, there are no easy answers. We are uncertain of our own identities. Social scientists believe that this question is typically … more