We have now reached Vayechi, the final portion of the Book of B’reishit . Under Joseph’s care, Jacob and sons are thriving in Egypt. As Jacob nears the end of his life, he blesses Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Jacob also blesses each of his own sons with blessings that are at once poetic and […]
Words of Wisdom for Shabbat – Vayigash
The story of Joseph which has been unfolding over the two previous Parshot reaches a dramatic climax in this week’s Parsha, Vayigash. Joseph has made it appear that Benjamin is a thief and threatens to enslave Jacob’s beloved youngest son. Judah eloquently pleas for Benjamin’s release by recounting in detail how Benjamin came to Egypt […]
Shabbat Hanukkah
Miketz – Shabbat Hanukkah – Sermon – 12/3/2010 https://media.blubrry.com/jcasttotalfeed/jcastnetwork.org/storage/dsksermons/dsk007.mp3Podcast: Download
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Words of Wisdom – Miketz
This week’s Torah Portion, Miketz, continues the saga of Joseph. There are more dreams, more familial distress, and a hefty dose of deception. Joseph is released from prison to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. Based on the dream imagery, Joseph predicts that Egypt will have seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. He advises […]
Torah Theatre – Vayeshev – Joseph and His Brothers
The final Portions in the Book of B’reishit tell the dramatic story of Joseph. The range of emotions expressed and the intensity of the action make these Portions ideally suited to classroom theatre. The following activity is designed to help students understand the feelings of Joseph’s brothers in the Portion, Vayeshev. (Students may work in […]
Words of Wisdom – Vayeshev
Cue the orchestra! Curtain going up! This week’s Torah Portion, Vayeshev, has all the drama and action of a Broadway production. In fact, Vayeshev and the following two Torah Portions, Miketz and Vayigash were the basis for the Broadway musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat.” Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music and Tim Rice’s lyrics […]
Words of Wisdom for Shabbat – Va-Yishlach
This week’s Torah Portion, Va-Yishlach continues the drama of Jacob’s life, twenty years after his bitter parting with his brother, Esau. Jacob is now anxiously planning for what he hopes will be a chance to reconcile with Esau. On his journey to meet Esau, Jacob wrestles one whom the Torah calls “ish” (man), but whom […]
Words of Wisdom for Shabbat – Va-Yetze
In this week’s Torah Portion, Va-Yetze, Jacob is on his way from Beersheba to Haran. He spends the night in a “place” and dreams of a ladder which reaches from the ground to heaven. Angels are going up and down on the ladder, and Jacob, in his dream, receives a message from God. In his […]
Words of Wisdom for Shabbat – Toldot
In Hebrew class, my students plotted, wrapped their hands in “fur,” shuddered and howled, as they dramatized the actions of Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Esau in this week’s Torah Portion, Toldot. After re-enacting the story of Rebekah’s and Jacob’s plot to trick Isaac into giving his blessing to Jacob, rather than to his first-born son, […]
Words of Wisdom – Chayyei Sarah
Sarah’s Tent was the ultimate Shabbat place – ever fragrant with freshly baked challah and glowing with Shabbat candlelight. As we prepare for Shabbat, we remember Sarah’s example. Even the youngest descendents of Abraham and Sarah can experience the spirit of Shabbat in wise and wonderful ways. The following are excerpts from an article on […]