Tag: Jacob

Gathering Stones: How to be a Morah Derekh

Stones represent the memories and wisdom gathered from living our lives. Each affirms that moment and its worthiness of being remembered.

Lara Rodin December 17, 2024 JTS Senior Sermon Learning

Haftarah for Vayechi

The parashah and haftarah both focus on a leader’s nearing death (Jacob and David) and their final pronouncements to their sons.

Etz Hayim Humash December 1, 2024 Kings I Neviim (Prophets)

Haftarah For Vayetzei (Ashkenazi Custom)

The haftarah connects to the parashah by linking Jacob’s guarding of sheep to God’s care for Israel, first for Jacob and then to Bnei Israel. ...

Etz Hayim Humash December 1, 2024 Hosea Neviim (Prophets)

Haftarah for Va-yishlach

The haftarah connects to the parashah through Jacob and Esau in the early biblical period, and Israel and Edom in the later period.

Etz Hayim Humash December 1, 2024 Neviim (Prophets) Obadiah

Haftarah for Vayetzei (Sefardic Custom)

The haftarah follows Jacob’s journey, focusing on his struggles with Esau and the angel, tying back to Israel’s guile as mentioned in Hosea.

Etz Hayim Humash December 1, 2024 Hosea Neviim (Prophets)

Haftarah for Tol’dot

The haftarah and parashah connect as Malachi highlights God’s love for Jacob and rejection of Esau, the ancestors of Israel and Edom.

Etz Hayim Humash November 15, 2024 Malachi Neviim (Prophets)

Why Do Jews Pray 3 Times a Day?

Our tradition mandates we pray three times a day, but why? There are 2 theories. But, we might ask: What does it mean to pray?

Alex Friedman October 21, 2024 Afternoon Prayers (Mincha) Evening Service (Ma'ariv)

The Rabbis’ Boogeyman: Learning About Forgiveness

What can we learn about forgiveness from the Rabbis' boogeyman? Esau is that boogeyman but we can learn from his relationship with Jacob.

Alex Friedman February 5, 2024 Parashat Vayishlach Parashat Vayishlach Dvar Torah

Birkat Yeladim: Blessing Children

Read more on how to preform Birkat Yeladim, the blessing over our children, and where the blessing and practice come from.

Reena Bromberg Gaber January 31, 2024 Blessings Erev Shabbat

Dinah: An Unexpected Trans Story

Based on rabbinic midrash from tractate Berakhot, Dinah can be read either as a trans woman or, as this piece argues, a closeted trans man.

Saffron Mala Kaplan December 8, 2023 Parashat Vayishlach Parashat Vayishlach Dvar Torah

How do you Solve a Problem Like Esav?

Rabbi Mordechai Rackover teaches: Life is not a zero-sum and one of the keys is to recognize that people grow and change.

Rabbi Mordechai Rackover November 17, 2023 Parashat Toldot Parashat Toldot Dvar Torah

Encountering the Shema: 7 Questions

Rabbi Mordecai Miller reflects on the Shema with 7 questions: Throughout my life, I’ve tried to understand what this sentence really means.

Rabbi Mordecai Miller January 25, 2023 Every Day Liturgy