The Midrash tells us that when Hashem said “Anochi Hashem Elokeicha”, the entire world went silent. Any small noise, anywhere in the world, even from the smallest of creatures or aspects of nature, even if unheard by others, would have “detracted from” (K’v’yachol) or distracted from Hashem's Oneness. We see for there to be a [...]
The midrash says that although the Manna tasted like whatever the eater wanted it to, if you had nothing it mind the Manna had a specific taste. The Midrash points out that the Torah describes this default taste differently in 3 places: In one it describes it as Lechem (bread), in another as Dvash (honey), [...]
ויקרא פרעה אל משה ויאמר לכו עבדו את ה פסוק זה עוסק אחרי מכת חושך כתב שהשם קרא למשה כשבמכות האחרות היה כתוב למשה ואהרן הכלי יקר מסביר; שה ’ ידע מתי שנולד משה נמלאה כל הבית אורה ושהיה סימן לעתיד שהיה לו סגולה להביא אור במקום חשך . -שבת שלום
The Midrash tells how during our time in Mitzraim, Klal Yisroel had stopped performing the mitzvah of Bris Milah. Hashem commanded Moshe and the other leaders of the generation to get all the people to have a bris milah before doing the Korban Pesach and leaving Mitzraim. However, many of the people were uninterested and [...]
The Pasuk says: וַיְדַבֵֵּ֥ר אֱלֹ הִ֖ים אֶל־משֶֶׁ֑ה וַיֵּ֥אֹמֶר אֵ לִ֖יו אֲ נֵּ֥י יְהֹ וה The Midrash points out that not only is this a double lashon (Hashem spoke to Moshe and said to him) but the 2 words have contradictory connotations. Vayidaber means speaking with strong language and can mean rebuke, while Vayomer is a [...]
1) Blessing our kids: This week Yaakov gathers all his children to give them Brochos. Rav Hirsch explains the words “Baruch Ata” not as “you are the source of blessings” which many people do and might be grammatically incorrect, but as literally, we are “blessing” Hashem. What does that mean? When we say the word [...]
Before Going down to Mitzraim, Yaakov stops in Beer Sheva to give Korbanos and speak with Hashem. Yaakov was very nervous about going down to galus, not only for himself but for what was waiting in store for his children and grandchildren, all he had worked for his entire life. Hashem reassures him that he [...]
Rashi points out that the Yishmaelim who carried Yosef down to Mitzraim uncharacteristically were transporting sweet smiling spices when usually they carried wears that smelled foul. Rav Chaim Shmuelevitz points out that this was a major nes from Hashem, who rearranged the world economy and trade just for Yosef not to be bothered from the [...]
When Eisav finally arrives before Yaakov after being told that he is coming with 400 soldiers and prepared for war, Eisav becomes emotional and embraces Yaakov. He then asks Yaakov who all these “messengers” that he sent were and what was their purpose. Yaakov answered so he (Yaakov) “would find favor in Eisavs eyes”. Rashi [...]
I often hear teens complaining about Avodas Hashem, Mitzvos, and particularly davening, how when they do these things they don’t “feel anything” or ”feel any connection” or “don’t feel like God is really there listening/talking”. While learning the parsha this week, the following thought came to me: Yaakov Avinu is brought by Hashem to the [...]