by Rabbi Pesach Wolicki | f 13, 2024 | Israel, Vayishlach
The night before the encounter with his brother Esau after so many years apart, an angel wrestled with Jacob. After Jacob showed his strength and resilience in overcoming the attack, the angel blessed Jacob and gave him a new name – Israel. This verse, spoken by the...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 18, 2023 | Israel, Vayishlach
The enduring existence of Israel through the centuries is a remarkable chapter in human history. The fact that the nation of Israel continues to exist despite being exiled from its land for 2,000 years is unprecedented. Even more unique is the Jewish people’s...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 29, 2023 | Israel, Lech Lecha, Toldot, Vayeitzei, Vayishlach
At the age of seventy-five, Abraham encounters God for the very first time. In this seminal moment, God commands him to leave his family and all that is familiar to him and embark on a journey to an unspecified land. With a faith that would define his legacy, Abraham...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 7, 2023 | Vayishlach
In the portion of Vayishlach, Jacob prepares to face his brother after many years apart, cognizant of Esau’s vow to destroy him one day. He readies his camp and prays, sending also gifts to appease his brother. Before the encounter, Jacob struggles with an angel who...
by Rabbi Pesach Wolicki | f 8, 2022 | Vayishlach
In this week’s Torah portion, Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4 – 36:43), we read of the famous struggle between Jacob and a “man” the night before Jacob’s much-anticipated encounter with his brother Esau. The man turned out to be an angel. During the struggle, Jacob’s...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 7, 2022 | Ninth of Av, Sukkot, Temple, Vayishlach
By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz Babies are, for the most part, born perfect. Their skin is pearly smooth and everything is pristine and in it’s right place, except for their teeth. I remember that when my children were small, I would wake them up by counting their...
