Dan Has Questions About The Second Book Of The Torah: Parshat Shemot
01/12/2023 09:46:23 AM
Last week, we concluded the first book of the Torah, Bereisheet, the story of the origins of the world, the first Jews, and our relationship with God.
This week, we begin to read the second book of the Torah, Shemot, which is also the name of the Parshah. Shemot means names, and the reading begins with a list of...Read more...
Dan Has Questions About Blessings and Siblings: Parshat Vayechi
01/05/2023 10:06:50 AM
I hope you all had a good break from school and found something fun to do amidst all the rain and gloomy weather (I try to remember we need the water very badly, but I miss the sunshine nonetheless). We have some catching up to do as a lot happened in the three Parashiot we read over the break.
When we last left off,...Read more...
Dan Has Questions About Dreams, Jealousy, And More Dreams: Parshat Vayeshev
12/15/2022 09:32:16 AM
This week we delve into the story of Jacob’s (Israel’s) 12 sons. The name of the Parshah is Vayeshev, meaning “and he resided” — Israel resides in the land of his father with his extended family of wives and children. The Torah says Israel loves his son Joseph more than any of the other 11, so much...Read more...
Dan Has Questions About Siblings, Role Models, and Wrestling: Parshat Vayishlach
12/08/2022 09:22:20 AM
In the last few weeks, we've learned a lot about our forefathers and foremothers, Sarah and Abraham, Rebecca and Isaac, and Leah, Rachel, and Jacob. As we begin this week's Parshah, Vayishlach, Jacob is returning to his homeland with his wives, children, and many flocks and other wealth. Vayishlach means "and he sent", as Jacob has...Read more...
Dan Has Questions About Four Marriages, 12 Children, and An Untrustworthy Uncle: Parshat Vayetze
12/01/2022 08:49:51 AM
This week's Parshah continues the adventures of our first Jewish ancestors. In last week's Parsha, Rebecca and Isaac had twins, Esau and Jacob. Jacob managed by trickery to acquire the birthright and blessing that should, by tradition, have belonged to his older brother, Esau. With Esau rather angry about this, Jacob was sent off...Read more...