The story of Yosef and his brothers reaches a climax at the beginning of Perashat Vayigash. Binyamin is framed for a crime by Yosef the Viceroy and Yehuda, having committed to his father that he would protect the boy most now step up. And step up he does! He approaches Yosef to defend his little brother but Yosef breaks down and reveals himself in response. Yehuda here makes a 180 degree change from his previous ways and it is a definitive moment that reverberates within the Jewish people who are named after him (Judah) for all time. In this episode we look at this trait and recognise its importance. 

After 13 years Yosef and his brothers meet again, but they do not recognise that the brother they sold is now the Viceroy of Egypt. He has secured Egypt against a seven year famine by storing massive amounts of grain in the country's granaries. But when his brothers come to Egypt to buy grain, Yosef accuses them of being spies. It is a peculiar accusation. In this episode we explore the meaning behind this accusation and what Yosef's motives were for making it. 

The Story of Joseph is the longest biographical narrative in Torah. With such prominence of place, what are some of the key aspects of his life that we are meant to learn from? In this discussion we focus on the integrity of Joseph and how, in all of the various modes of experience he had, he was able to maintain a faithful life.

Yaakob's name is changed to Yisrael in this parasha. First by the 'wrestler' and then by God Himself. But the name Yaakob never leaves him. What is the significance of these names? What does it mean for us today as a people?

'In the Beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth, and the Earth...' - From the opening of the Torah until this week's parasha we do not hear of the stuff of the Heavens. But here, God stands there atop a ladder firmly planted on earth stretching to the Heavens with God's messengers running up and down it. It is with this vision that God gives a message to Jacob: 'I will be with you wherever you walk and I will not leave you until I bring you back home'. God is with Jacob on this mission - but why the vision? What is the connection of the vision to the message? This is asked by the 19th century rabbi Eliyahu Benamozeg and in this episode we offer an answer that applies to our lives right now. 

Esav shared a womb with Jacob, grew up in the same house, and has the same parents and grandparents. The rabbis of the Talmud call him a 'heretical Israelite'. There is something very close to home about Esav, his worldview and his descendants that is important for us to take seriously. In this 20 minute treatment it looks at one aspect that has current and relevant implications to all our lives. 

The first time we find the word love used between two people is in Haye Sarah. Isaac loves Rebecca. In this episode we examine why there is a delay with this word, why it tends to come out around Isaac, and what discoveries Abraham made in his life that brought it about. 

God's command for Abraham to bind Isaac and place him up on an altar is perhaps one of the most difficult passages in all of Torah. This talk offers a perspective -- a hard and awkward truth -- on the story. 

God enters into covenant with Abraham in this parasha. But before doing so, he tells Abraham to leave home and all that is familiar for his own sake. In this talk we explore what that means. How does one 'go' for oneself? And why must it happen before covenant?