In the Pursuit of Truth
April 1, 2014
As we consider the period following the exodus of the nation of Israel from their enslavement in Egypt up to their receiving the Torah from
Divrei Torah
Table of Contents
Introduction
Bereishit
Bereishit
How It All Started
October 16, 2009
In chapter 1 of the book of Bereshit, we are informed about the course of events leading toward the formation of the universe. On the
In Full Form and Stature
October 1, 2010
In the beginning of the Torah reading of Bereshit, we find the verse, “And G-d made the beast of the earth according to its kind,
Brotherhood Should not be Mere Lip Service
October 16, 2011
In synagogues around the world, as we culminate the Sukkot holiday and complete another cycle of readings of the Torah, we begin once again with
Noach
Digging for the Truth
October 23, 2009
In Bereshit 6:13, G-d tells Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before me for the earth is filled with violence through them.” So,
Mixed Up Priorities
October 13, 2015
In his comments on the Torah portion of Noach (VeHigadeta, Bereshit pp. 137 – 140), R. Yaakov Galinsky wonders about the verse (Bereshit 9:20), “And
Late to Base
October 28, 2019
A story is told of a group of soldiers who were on leave from the Israeli Army. This group was given a number of hours, perhaps
Lekh Lekha
Land of Milk and Honey
October 30, 2009
In Bereshit 12:1, G–d enjoins his faithful servant, our forefather Abraham, “Go from your land, from your birthplace and from your father’s home to the
Miracles: Past, Present and Future
October 20, 2015
In the Torah section of Lekh Lekha, G-d appears to Abraham and reveals to him what He has in store for Abraham and his offspring.
Beginning of a Rivalry
November 8, 2016
The Torah section of Lekh Lekha marks the beginning of a rivalry – a long standing rivalry that continues to this day. We read in
Vayera
You and Me Together
November 6, 2009
While sitting by his tent door in the heat of the day, Abraham meets three messengers of G-d. One of the messengers informs Abraham, “Sarah
At Knife’s Edge
October 21, 2010
In his attempt to prove that “truth is subjectivity,” the Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard argues that the least evolved of all human beings is the
Hurry to Your Fellow Man and Get to Know Him
October 27, 2015
In the beginning of the Torah section of VaYerah (Bereshit 18:2-6), we read: “And he [Abraham] lifted his eyes and saw, and behold three men
Chaye Sarah
Mourning a Loved One
November 12, 2009
“And Sarah died…and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her” (Bereshit 23:2). Abraham, upon the departure of his wife, Sarah, from
A Test of Character and Intelligence
October 28, 2010
The Torah portion Chaye Sara begins with informing us of the passing of our first matriarch, Sarah. “Sarah’s lifetime was one hundred years, twenty years,
Stay Out of Harm’s Way
November 15, 2011
In the beginning of the Torah section of Chaye Sarah, we read that Abraham’s son Isaac had come of age. After G-d’s miraculously giving Abraham’s
Toldot
G-d Bless You
November 19, 2009
As we read chapter 27 of the first of the five books of the Torah, we find, “And it came to pass when Isaac was
With the Crooked You Act Perversely
November 29, 2016
In the beginning of the Torah section of Toldot (Bereshit 25:27), we read, “And the lads grew up and Esav became a man who knows
A Peek into the Future
November 24, 2011
In the Torah section of Toldot, we read of three wells that Isaac dug. We are told that these were originally dug by his father
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Categories
Va'Yetze
![Divrei Torah - Upon later coming to Lavan’s house, we are told, “Jacob loved Rachel and he said [to Lavan], ‘I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter’](https://treeforisrael.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Divrei-Torah-5.jpg)
Magic, Myth or Something Else?
November 26, 2009
In Bereshit 27:10, we are informed, “Jacob left Beersheba.” Eventually, Jacob reaches the town of Lavan, the brother of his mother Rebecca. In this town,
Sacrificing for the Self-Respect of Another
November 11, 2010
We read in the beginning of the Torah section of Vayetze, “Jacob departed from Beer-sheva and went towards Haran” (Bereshit 28:10). Jacob leaves his parents
Leaving an Impression
November 30, 2011
The first verse of the Torah section of VaYetze reads: “And Jacob departed from Beer Sheva and went to Haran” (Bereshit 28:10). On this verse
Va'Yishlach
Story of a Sinew
December 3, 2009
In Bereshit 32:23-33, after Jacob leaves his brother Esau, we are told a rather curious tale: “And he [Jacob] rose up that night and he
The Miracle of Nature
November 18, 2010
In the beginning of the Torah section of VaYishlach, we read that Jacob sent malakhim “to Esav his brother to the land of Seir, the
We Will Overcome
December 6, 2011
In the Torah section of VaYishlach, after Jacob’s struggle with an unexpected foe, we read (Bereshit 32:33), “Therefore, the children of Israel are not to
Va'Yeshev
An Evil Tongue
December 11, 2009
In Bereshit 37:2, we are informed: “Joseph being seventeen years old was feeding the flock with his brothers; and the lad was with the sons
A Mind Focused
November 25, 2010
In the Torah section of VaYeshev, the Torah informs us of a series of events in the life of Joseph, first of two sons to
Be Wary of Good Intentions
December 13, 2011
We read in the Torah section of VaYeshev how, after many difficulties that Joseph endured during his lifetime, including being sold into slavery by his
Chanukah
Festival of Lights
December 17, 2009
For eight days during the year we celebrate the holiday of Chanukah. The events leading up to the initiation of this festive occasion date back
Light at the End of the Tunnel
November 8, 2013
In one of his talks discussing the holiday of Chanukah, the latter day Torah scholar R. Shimshon Pincus described a progression in the various holidays
We Have G-d in our Corner
November 15, 2015
On the holiday of Chanukah, observant Jews round the world declare their appreciation to G-d in the Shemona Esrei prayer: “For the miracles, and for
Miketz
Discerning and Wise Man
December 2, 2010
After wallowing in prison on trumped up charges for two years, Joseph is finally released. Pharaoh has a dream and it is recognized that the
Do Not Jump to Conclusions
December 21, 2011
In the Torah section of Miketz, we read the continuation of Joseph’s ordeal. As a result of perceived improper behavior with regard to his brothers,
Stand Up on a Chair
April 2, 2015
Events in the Torah portion of Miketz mark a culmination of a period of servitude and imprisonment imposed in Egypt upon Joseph the son of
Va'Yigash
Mutual Respect and Concern
December 25, 2009
In Bereshit 44:33-34, we read that Judah entreats Joseph: “Let your servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord and let the
Land of the Priests
December 9, 2010
In the Torah section of VaYigash, we read of the rapprochement – at first apprehensive and then joyous – between Joseph’s brothers and Joseph, the
I Shall Also Surely Bring You Up
December 28, 2011
In the Torah section of VaYigash, we read of Jacob’s descent with his entire family to Egypt after discovering his beloved son Joseph’s whereabouts. “So
Va'Yechi
![Divrei Torah - “It will come to pass, if you obey these laws [of the Torah] and you will keep and do them, then the L-rd your G-d shall keep unto you the covenant and the mercy which he swore to your forefathers.](https://treeforisrael.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Divrei-Torah-21.jpg)
Persecution, Retribution and Intervention
January 1, 2010
On the first verse in the Torah section of VaYechi (the last section of Bereshit, the first book of the Torah), Rashi comments: “Why is this
![Divrei Torah - “He blessed Joseph and he said, ‘Oh G-d before Whom my forefathers Abraham and Isaac walked, G-d Who shepherds me from my inception until this: May the angel who redeems me from all evil bless the lads [Joseph’s sons]](https://treeforisrael.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Divrei-Torah-22.jpg)
He Blessed Joseph
December 16, 2010
In the Torah section of Vayechi, we read of Jacob’s coming on in years after emigrating to Egypt to reunite with his cherished son Joseph
![Divrei Torah - And Jacob blessed them that day, saying, ‘By you shall [the people of] Israel](https://treeforisrael.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Divrei-Torah-23.jpg)
Perfect Harmony
January 5, 2012
In the Torah reading of VaYechi, we read (Bereshit 49:20): “And Jacob blessed them that day, saying, ‘By you shall [the people of] Israel bless
Sh'mot
Sh'mot
True Paths of Peace
January 8, 2010
In the beginning of the second book of the Torah, Sh’mot (2:11-12), we are told of an encounter of the young future leader of the
Heavy of Speech
December 23, 2010
The Torah section of Sh’mot introduces the toils and tribulations of the children of Israel in Egypt after Jacob and all his sons passed away.
Timing is of the Essence
January 12, 2012
In the Torah section of Sh’mot (Sh’mot 2:1), we read, “A man went from the house of Levi and he took a daughter of Levi.
Va'Eirah
Freedom of Will
January 15, 2010
In describing to Moses the course of events that is to unfold leading to the Israelites’ exodus from the slavery of Egypt, G-d says, “And
Unable to Listen
December 30, 2010
We are told in the beginning of the Torah section of VaEirah that the enslavement of the Israelites at the hands of the Egyptians was
Tomorrow will Come
January 19, 2012
In the Torah section of VaEirah, we begin to read of the ten plagues that G-d put upon the land of Egypt and the Egyptian
Bo
Guide to the Pedagogue
January 6, 2011
In the Torah section of Bo, we find the first directive from G-d to the people of Israel as a whole. Before their miraculous exodus from slavery
Stop Barking and Start Listening
January 25, 2012
In the Torah section of Bo, we approach the final end to the Egyptian enslavement of the descendents of Israel. The Al-Mighty G-d, L-rd of
G-d’s Word is Not a Suggestion
January 22, 2015
In the Torah section of Bo, G-d completes a series of ten plagues whereby He punishes the Egyptians for their cruel enslavement and persecution of
B'Shalach
Lesson in Humility and Leadership
January 29, 2010
In the Torah portion of B’Shalach, G-d culminates his series of punishments that he administers against the Egyptians on behalf of the great-great grandchildren of
Armed with the Truth
January 31, 2012
In the Torah section of B’Shalach, we read (Sh’mot 13:18), “And the children of Israel were armed when they went up from Egypt.” On this
Great Hand
January 28, 2015
In the Torah section of Beshalach, we read (Sh’mot 14:31), “And Israel saw the great hand that G-d inflicted upon Egypt.” In his Darash Moshe,
Yitro
Changing for the Better
February 5, 2010
The Torah portion of Yitro begins (Sh’mot 18:1-12): “Jethro, the minister of Midian, the father-in-law of Moses, heard everything that G-d did for Moses and for
Matter of Honor
February 7, 2012
In the Torah section of Yitro, we are told of the arrival of Yitro, Moses’ father-in-law, his praise for Moses and the Israelites, his advice
So That Your Days be Lengthened
February 4, 2015
The Torah section of Yitro begins with our being told of Yitro’s sojourn from Midian into the desert to reunite with his son-in-law Moses and
Tu B'shvat
Planting Seeds for the Future
January 19, 2011
In the Talmud (Babylonian Talmud, Rosh Hashana 2a), Bet Hillel establishes the 15th day in the Hebrew month of Shvat, known as Tu B’Shvat, to
Bearing Fruit
December 10, 2013
On the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shvat, known as Tu B’Shvat, Jews worldwide mark the New Year of Trees (Babylonian Talmud, Rosh Hashanah
Praise the Good L-rd
December 16, 2015
On a daily basis, observant Jews the world over praise the Al-Mighty G-d as they bless Him for all the good that they enjoy. Our
Mishpatim
War and Peace
February 12, 2010
Towards the end of the Torah portion of Mishpatim, G-d informs the people of Israel who have escaped a torturous slavery in Egypt, are trekking
Authority to Heal
January 26, 2011
In the Torah section of Mishpatim, among the many laws and injunctions mentioned, we find (Sh’mot 21:19), “If men quarrel and one strikes his fellow
Heal Us and We Will be Healed
February 14, 2012
In the Torah section of Mishpatim, G-d introduces to the followers of His Torah many of the laws and regulations that are to guide our
Terumah
Giving is Receiving
February 3, 2011
The Torah section of Terumah discusses the contribution, apportionment and design of the various components of the holy Tabernacle, the Mishkan, which was later to be
Makings of a Table
February 22, 2012
In the Torah section of Terumah, we read of the construction of the Mishkan (Holy Tabernacle), predecessor to the Bet HaMikdash, and its various components. In the course
Construction without Destruction
February 17, 2015
In the Torah section of Terumah, in the process of describing the details of the construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle), used in the desert for sacrifices to
Tetzave
Those who Plant with Tears will Reap with Joy
February 9, 2011
The Torah section of Tetzaveh discusses the elegant clothes of the kohanim (priests) and the inauguration of services in the newly constructed Mishkan (Tabernacle) whose