How did the Israelites win over their former masters? Is such a thing even possible? It seems so. Take five minutes to study a fabulous answer to this question proffered by Rabbi Sacks in his commentary to the Chumash.

Why in the world did Hashem promise the forefathers the land of Israel if He had no intention of eventually giving it to them?

Well, it’s something we live with every day.

Take five minutes to listen to the Parsha Pick-Me-Up to learn more.

Here is a simple question: how long did the conversation between God and Moshe take? Was it an hour? Two?

Somehow, we seem to miss the real number. And, along with it, one of the central lessons of the episode.

There’s a lot to learn from how people phrase things. Sometimes, they don’t want to talk about themselves directly. What are they avoiding? What are they trying to say?

In our case, Yaakov Avinu uses circumventive phrasing to teach an essential lesson.

Some things are worth dying for. Knowing what they are can define us.

You need to have the right dirt.

As is well known, Joseph advised Pharoah to take food from the seven years of plenty and store it away for the years of famine. Pharaoh, in turn, appointed Joseph to oversee this process. As we shall see, in order to do this, Joseph determined that you need the right dirt. And so do we.

Where did Yaakov live? Well, in the land of Canaan of course. But listen to the verse, because there is a phrase in it that does not belong. Of course, it contains a beautiful lesson for us about how to live.

What is God saying to Jacob?

God tells Jacob to be fruitful and multiply. But the timing makes it very odd that Hashem says this to him.

Take note: Jacob is 11 sons and one daughter into his total of 12 sons and one daughter and the time of this comment. What does God mean to tell him?

The story of his transformation begins, of course, with a dream about a ladder. Interestingly, the terminology and ideas of this passage bring to mind another passage in the torah, one where stones are noted as missing, where Hashem comes down to meet a tower that went up to the sky.

But what is the import of this remarkable parallel? And what is the secret to fatherhood of the tribes?

When Esav heard the words of his father, he cried a cry that was great and very bitter. And he said “bless me as well, father!.”

Esav knows that Yaakov has received the blessing that was intended for him. Hurt and saddened, he begs his father to bless him. Yet, he has no idea what blessing his father gave to Yaakov.

Why is he so desperate for some unknown words?