Parsha Related

In this week’s Parsha, we witness the confrontation between Yakov and Esav. Chazal identify three approaches which Yaakov Avinu employed in preparation: “Doron, Tefila VeMilchama” - gifts, prayer, and war. Based on the Zohar and the Ramban, Rav Dessler ZT’L says that this...

The Torah tells us that Yaakov was attacked by the Malach of Esav. As dawn approached and Yaakov prevailed, the malach asked to be freed. Chazal tell us that the reason it was so urgent for the Malach to leave, was because each Malach receives one chance to say Shira and ...

Disaster One afternoon a man came home from work to find total mayhem in his house. His three children were outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn all around the front yard. The door of his wife's car was open, as was...

We all know the story of Yaakov and the shepherds from Parshas Vayetze. Did you ever wonder how Yaakov Avinu single handedly removed such a large rock from on top of the well? If he was an “Ish Tam Yoshev Ohalim” how did he have this kind of super-human strength? To answ...

In this week’s parsha (29-10) we find that Yaakov Avinu was incredibly strong. He moved a stone, which required many shepherds to roll, without difficulty. Rash”i says that the Torah tells this to us to show us that he was very strong. The obvious questions are: 1. How di...

The possuk says that the Malachim were עלים וירדים בו. Rashi points out that first they were going up and then going down. I think Rashi is giving a mesage of chizzuk. In order to fall one must go up first. So if you do fall know that there must have been an aliyah fi...

Vayesfu kol ha'adarim v'galelu ess ha'even me'al pi habe'eir.Every one of us walks around with 'wellsprings' in our hearts. But - a problem! There is a huge rock on top! We cannot remove it by ourselves. The individuals who can singlehandedly remove the stone are few &...

"Vayelech Yakov Charanah" - Yakov left with the intention of reaching Charan. Later on, it says "Vayelech artzah bnei kedem."The Meshech Chochmah explains: originally Yakov left with the intent on running and hiding with his mother's family, in Charan, to keep himself saf...

“And Jacob said to his brothers: ‘Gather stones’.” ~ Genesis 31:46 Jacob only had one brother, Esau. Moreover, it’s disrespectful to instruct those who aren’t obligated to obey. So Jacob must be speaking to his sons. Yet the verse refers to them as his brothers - ...

A Gerrer chasid took leave from his Rebbe before departing on a business trip to Paris. The Rebbe had a request for him, can he please buy some Cuban cigars for the Rebbe in Paris? The Chasid gladly agreed, thrilled at the chance to be of service to his Rebbe! While in Pa...