Dec 9
Dec 9 Re-Examining The Permissibility Of The Kollel System In Light Of Rambam’s Disparaging Comments

My Rosh Yeshiva would always give a talk during the week of Parshas Vayeitzei about the importance of staying to learn in yeshiva for extra time...

Mar 30
Mar 30 From Yaakov To Yisrael (Part 5): Bridging The Gap — The Legacy Of Yehuda & Peretz

Zach Sterman

Parsha, Yaakov To Yisrael, Chumash

In this, the final section of the series, we will explain that the legacy of Yisrael, though ostensibly not fully realized by Yaakov himself, was achieved through his children...

Mar 8
Mar 8 From Yaakov To Yisrael (Part 4): Yaakov's Silence — A Thematic Approach To Deena & Shechem

Zach Sterman

Chumash, Yaakov To Yisrael

In Part 3, with help from R’ Menachem Leibtag, we studied Rashbam’s groundbreaking approach to Yaakov’s fight with the angel. These episodes culminated with a prophetic name change: “no longer will it be said that your name is Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with the Divine and with man and have overcome.”...

Feb 22
Feb 22 From Yaakov To Yisrael (Part 3): Divine Altercation – Why Yaakov Fought The Angel

Zach Sterman

Chumash, Yaakov To Yisrael, Parsha

In Parts 1 and 2 we have seen a clear developing pattern from the beginning of Yaakov’s life. The Torah introduced us to Yaakov’s character through three anecdotes...

Feb 11
Feb 11 From Yaakov To Yisrael (Part 2): Life On The Run

Zach Sterman

Parsha, Chumash, Yaakov To Yisrael

The Torah introduced us to Yaakov’s character through three anecdotes: 1. His peculiar birth. 2. An explicit description of his personality — “Ish Tam.” 3. The story of Esav verbally transferring his birthright to Yaakov. The contrast of Esav and Yaakov’s characters builds the framework through which we will understand Yaakov’s personality...

Feb 8
Feb 8 From Yaakov To Yisrael (Part 1): Introduction — The One Who Grasps The Heel

Zach Sterman

Yaakov To Yisrael, Parsha, Chumash

In order to engage in comprehensive Torah study we must first establish our methodology and intention. The Torah is a book of prophesies composed perfectly by God, and it therefore wastes no words and was conceived through Divine wisdom. As a book of prophecy, the Torah’s goal is to deliver the message of God, though at times its messages are cryptic and challenging...

Nov 20
Nov 20 Parshas Vayeitzei: Even In This Place (& A Word On Thanksgiving)

Devir Kahan

Holidays, Parsha

Vayeitzei includes the famous, if not slightly perplexing, story of Yaakov’s life altering dream. He goes to sleep at night in what seems like a somewhat random place, and during his sleep has a vision of angels walking up and down a ladder. Upon awakening from this vision, Yaakov proclaims the following...

Nov 20
Nov 20 The Guilt of Deceit

Zach Sterman

Parsha

Parshat Vayetze begins with Yaakov’s journey from his family in Canaan to Lavan’s home in Padan-Aram. This journey brings with it 3 different interactions that collectively beg the question: what was Yaakov’s problem? I will explain...

Nov 18
Nov 18 Parshas Vayeitzei: The Stone On The Well

Devir Kahan

Parsha

There is an interesting story in this week’s parsha. We are told of a group of shepherds who all shared a communal well of water. On top of it they placed a large stone. No single shepherd amongst them could move this rock; it was too heavy for any one person to lift. And then along comes Yaakov who effortlessly slides the rock right off of the well...