And Tamar was told, “Your father-in-law is coming up to Timnah for the sheepshearing.” So she took off her widow’s garb, covered her face with a veil, and, wrapping herself up, sat down at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah was grown up, yet she […]

Thoughts on Parashah Vayishlach Jacob sent messengers ahead to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom, and instructed them as follows, “Thus shall you say, ‘To my lord Esau, thus says your servant Jacob: I stayed with Laban and remained until now; I have acquired cattle, asses, sheep, and male […]

A few days ago I participated in a leadership seminar for young diaspora Jews studying in Israel. I shared my hotel room with a young French Jew who considered making aliyah after completing his programme. When he found out that I am a rabbinical student and that I write weekly drashot (sermons) on current Torah […]

In parashat Vayetzei we get to know two miserable sisters. The elder, Leah, is deeply depressed because her husband, Jacob, does not love her. She believes that birthing Jacob a son will make him love her. Her hopes are dashed when she sees that Jacob does not change his heart even after she has given […]