365Shorts

It is a beautiful day. The sun is out. We’re shopping, visiting the individual stalls in the shuk and talking to the owners – some of whom I’ve known for 42 years. The awnings of the stalls hang out into the alley between them, providing much needed shade for products and proprietors alike – just… Continue reading Abdul

The “No Entry” sign glows in my night vision – warning us off. It seems like every other sign surrounding rural land in America. Except the words are a little off. Normally, they say “No Trespassing.” I don’t pay the distinction much mind. We have a clear mission ahead of us. The dossier is clear.… Continue reading No Entrada

This reading states: “You shall return, each man to his achuza, and you shall return, each man to his family…” Achuza is not the same as property – it is inheritance. Because the property is assigned to families, the timelessness of the family is preserved by the inheritance of the Jubilee. If the sixth year is… Continue reading Behar-Bechukotai

Judah steps up and provides the assurance Joseph needs. He puts his neck out on the line for his brother – the opposite of what happened with Joseph. Why? What is the only thing that changed (aside from the famine) while Joseph was away? The story of Tamar. Judah grew as a man by taking… Continue reading Vayigash

When Joseph was being released, the guards rushed him. But he interceded. He insisted on shaving and fresh clothes. He could delay Pharoah, but he could not look anything but great. Joseph understood his power in the society – it was always connected to his looks. Joseph recognizes the tools he has available and uses… Continue reading Miketz

Where Yaacov defied Fate – and became an Av because of it – Joseph seems to embrace it. He sees the dreams and shares them. As a servant of Fate, Joseph can be great, but he can never be an Av. But perhaps even more ominously, Yaacov ‘guards’ his dreams. Yaacov, for his favorite son,… Continue reading Vayeishev

Why would Yaacov send out a message to Esav saying how rich he is and how he wants to be favored in his eyes? It seems like a suicide note. Yaacov is playing with ancient and powerful ideas of fate. His blessing was success and for brothers who would bow to him. This message seems… Continue reading Vayishlach

We open with Yaacov ‘praying.’ We associate this with Ma’ariv, but as with the other two prayers there is no actual ‘praying’ going on. In this case, Yaacov sleeps and Hashem answers his greatest fear: that he has no future. This fear runs throughout – it is why he forces Esav into selling the birthright… Continue reading Vayeitze

Going back to his ‘prayer,’ we saw Yitzchak thinking profoundly and facing uncertainty after having tried to connect where Hagar did. He is seeking some sort of anchor. He looks up and Rivka emerges as the answer to his prayers.  So why does Yitzchak love Esav? I think he loves him because he is so… Continue reading Toldot

Why would Ephron offer the burial plot as a gift only to name an excessive price moments later? And why would Avraham reject the gift, but pay the excessive price? What if Ephron (like the Hebronites) genuinely saw Avraham as a Prince of G-d. The gift of land can earn them eternal merit. When Avraham… Continue reading Chayei Sarah