FJRP Blog

Thoughts on Parashat Bo 5786

The wine problem

Moshe says: I don’t have a drinking problem.

His friend, Shmuel, says: You just finished the entire bottle yourself!

Moshe answers: Yes, but I shared the guilt with my mother.

Yes, it’s possible that Pharaoh who had a hardened heart problem shared his guilt with his mother. But even if he had any guilt, sharing it, let alone putting the entire blame on someone, doesn’t help. What helps is making real change and being firm about it. But Pharaoh most likely didn’t like the word “change”, especially if it was to be used in reference to any of his traits or decisions.[…]

Thoughts on Parashat Vaera

In our parasha for this week (Exodus 6:2–9:35), we encounter one of the Torah’s most profound explorations of human agency amid divine intervention. As God unleashes the first plagues upon Egypt to liberate the Israelites from bondage, Pharaoh’s response reveals a chilling dynamic: the hardening of his heart. The text alternates between Pharaoh hardening his own heart and God doing so, raising timeless questions about free will. Does divine involvement negate human choice? Or does it illuminate the consequences of our repeated decisions? Drawing from the wisdom of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, of blessed memory, in his Covenant & Conversation essays on this parasha—such as “Freewill” and “The Weighing of the Heart”—we can uncover a powerful message: while from the social and political perspective individual freedom is or should be a fundamental human right, this right does not guarantee it will become a reality. Our individual free will is a delicate capacity that can erode through our own actions, turning us into prisoners of our choices.[…]

Thoughts on Parashat Vayechi 5786

Today, I’m going to talk about something that is as timeless as the Torah itself – how nurturing our relationships, from marriages to friendships, can literally add years to our lives. Arguing with God, doctors, and relatives also can add years to our lives, and definitely keeps our mind sharp but that’s a topic for another drash. Today I will focus on relationships.

In Parashat Vayechi, the Book of Bereishit draws to a close with Yaakov on his deathbed at age 147, gathering his sons to bless them, settle old scores, and secure his legacy. Then we see Yosef, at 110, doing the same – preparing his own end and ensuring his bones return to the Promised Land. The numbers stand out: Avraham lived 175 years, Yitzchak 180, Yaakov 147, and Yosef – only 110. Why the decline?[…]