Posts Tagged Torah Commentary
A Matter of Perspective
In B'shalach, the Israelites have a dizzying series of peak experiences in a very short period of time. Some of the events in this portion are so significant that we continue to mark them to this day.
Bringing Blessings and Reparations
Parashat Bo opens with God commanding Moses to "go to Pharoah" and continue to plead for the Israelites' freedom.
Outstretched Arms
This week's portion (and perhaps the entirety of Exodus) is an extended exercise in demonstrating that faith is worth the risk and the relationship between God and the Jewish People is worthy of hard work.
Exodus: A Learning Journey
While Sh'mot is, to some extent, the story of great men in conflict, it is also a story about the importance of ordinary people and the power of their choices.
Approaching Another: On Judah’s Lack of Self-Righteousness
Parashat Vayigash begins with Judah approaching the Egyptian viceroy, a man he does not know is actually his brother Joseph, in sheer terror.
The Blessing of Jacob’s Saving Angel
Toward the end of Parashat Vayechi, Jacob offers his grandsons a deathbed blessing that has become incorporated into the daily bedtime Shema liturgy.
Joseph: The (Un)Successful Interpreter
At the beginning of Parashat Mikeitz, Pharaoh dreams about the seven fat, healthy cows who are consumed by seven gaunt, unhealthy ones and the seven healthy ears of grain that are swallowed up by seven thin, scorched ears. This midrash suggests that Joseph's success in Pharaoh's court hinged not just on correctly decoding the dreams but doing so in a way that Pharaoh liked - that accorded with his ego and self-interest.
Reading Dinah’s Story After October 7
In the wake of the brutal Hamas attack against the villages and kibbutzim along the southern border of Israel and the ensuing war in Gaza and Lebanon, there has been a flood of new Hebrew poetry published on various platforms. One such poem is "Dinah" by poet and literature professor Smadar Falk Peretz, which was published in the online journal Gluyah in early 2024. It responds to the horrors of October 7th using Dinah's story from Parashah Vayishlach, and from an unabashedly female point of view.
Rachel’s Daughter, Joseph
Early on in Parashat Vayeishev (Genesis 37:2), Joseph is described in grammatically anomalous fashion as "vehu na'ar et b'nei Bilhah ve'et b'nei Zilpah" - and he was a lad with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah.
God of Leah
There is reason to argue, however, that Hannah is not actually the first biblical woman to pray: that this female spiritual path maker is actually our foremother Leah, as seen in this week's Torah portion of Vayeitzei.
