Download as Word The subject of the other two wives of Yakov Bilhah and Zilpha, who begin as shefachos – maidservants, is fascinating. In a machshava sense why are they needed? What do they contribute to the construction of Klal Yisrael in their unusual relationship to their other Imahos and their marriage to Yakov? And…

Download as Word Parshas Miketz begins with the liberation of Yosef from the prison of Potiphar. Through his success in interpreting the dream of Pharoah Yosef is finally freed. The Gemarra says that this took place on Rosh Hashanah. Chazal go on to say that the enslavement of the Jews also ended on Rosh Hashanah.…

Download as Word In the middle of Parshas Vayeshev, hidden in all the drama of Yosef’s travails, is the birth of the Mashiach. As the Midrash says , “The Shevatim are involved with selling Yosef; Yosef, Reuven, and Yakov are in gloom wearing sackcloth and ashes; Yehuda is searching for a wife; and Hashem is…

Download as Word As Yakov is returning to his father’s home, Rachel goes into labor. The childbirth is difficult, and she passes away. This leaves a vacuum in the house of Yakov. Rachel was the foundation of the home, the akeres habayis. That is where Yakov’s bed was placed. What would happen now? Yakov places…

Download as Word When Yakov escapes from the house of Lavan, Rachel takes the Terafim of her father[1]. There are many aspects of this incident. Let us examine some of them. Rashi[2] based on the Midrash[3] says that Rachel took them to keep her father from worshipping avoda zara. That means that it was an…