Peshischa on the Parsha: Finding Our Path When/Because We’re Away From Home - Dec 20, 2019 - When Yosef is instructed by Yaakov Avinu to find out about the brothers, he leaves from “emek Chevron”. Interpreting Rashi, the Avnei Nezer explains that going into Galus allows the Jewish people to reinvigorate their passion for Judaism by being around a society that believes otherwise, just like Avraham. His father in law, the Kotzker, explains the next pasuk as being guidance from Gavriel to Yosef -or anyone- to find ones path when they feel lost. What do you seek and what motivates you? Before going into Mitzrayim, Yosef needed to recalibrate who he was.

Peshischa on the Parsha: Know from Where You Come - Dec 12, 2019 - After continuing last weeks theme of Yaakov wanting to rely solely on Hashem -and not angels- we discussed how Yaakov’s predicted questions of Eisav sound similar to a Mishnah in Avos. The Chiddushei HaRim explains that the questions ‘where are you from?’, ‘where are you going?’, and ‘to Whom are you answering?’, can also lead one to think negatively of ones importance. For ‘responding to Eisav’, Yaakov reminds us- we’re always still from Yaakov, part of the Jewish people, and even our ‘mincha’, a minimal korban, is beloved by Hashem.

Vayishlach: Working from the Strengths Perspective - Dec 11, 2019 - In a tragic and peculiar episode, Yaakov names his last son ‘Binyamin’ despite the fact that his dying beloved wife, Rachel, gave her last wish that he should be named ‘Ben-Oni’. We analyzed the meanings of both ‘oni’ and ‘yamin’ in this context and with the help of the Ramban and later stories of Yaakov, we came to realize that he wasn’t simply disregarding Rachel’s wishes, but emphasizing the same message from a different perspective. Instead of focusing on the pain she overcame, Yaakov wanted to focus on the strength she mustered in overcoming that pain. We noted how may also lie beneath Beis Shammai and Beis Hillel’s disagreement in how one lights Chanukah candles.

Mishlei 3:27-30- Trusting ourselves and others - Dec 11, 2019 - Shlomo Hamelech gives us advice in how to treat other people. Perhaps because of the incongruity from the verses beforehand, the Malbim explains that these verses are actually speaking how to treat the different aspects within ourselves. Others explain the importance of giving charity when one has the resources to or encourage others to do favors. Shlomo Hamelech also warns us against quarreling with those we have long term relationships with, or fighting with others without justified cause, ie, being petty. We also explained that it could mean fighting with others ‘for nothing’ because you’re really bothered by something else and you’re taking out on someone for no reason.

Peshischa on the Parsha: What it means to daven at night - Dec 6, 2019 - When Yaakov leaves his parents, Israel, and any riches behind, it wasn’t simply out of fear and leaving quickly. The Sfas Emes explains that it was a conscious decision to let go of any other means of assistance, and to depend on Hashem alone. It was with this perspective that Yaakov creates the paradigm of davening Maariv- to seek Hashems guidance at a time of darkness.

Legends & Lessons: The Rambam - Dec 6, 2019 - One of the greatest influences on modern Jewish thought and practice, the Rambam was ahead of his time with a rational approach to Halacha and Hashkafa. Because of his innovation, it caused much controversy in his day and after his life. Despite living in predominantly Sefardic countries, his contributions have become the bedrock for Jews everywhere. We studied his early life, his foray into medicine and his magnum opus- the Mishnah Torah.

Vayeitzei: The Power of Positivity - Dec 6, 2019 - When Yaakov goes on his mission from his parents and to his future family, one could expect he was somewhat hesitant, even afraid, given the stories he must have known about Laban. We studied how Hashems reassurance with the ladder gave him the comfort to go through with it whole-heartedly. We noted, based on Rashi and the Midrash, that it wasn’t necessarily what Hashem said, but it’s positivity, that encouraged him.

Eisav vs. Yaakov: Resume Virtues and Eulogy Virtues - Nov 27, 2019 - When we analyze the nuances between how Yaakov and Eisav grew up, and how Yitzchak and Rivkah loved them, we noticed how there are many subtle differences which require clarification. After studying the Chizkuni, Rav Hirsch, the Kli Yakar, and the Shlah, we came to the understanding that Eisav defined himself by what he accomplished, whereas Yaakov saw himself as a person of character. This also filtered into how they were loved by their parents.

Mishlei & Modern Psychology- 3:19-25 - Nov 26, 2019 - In another edition of Chochmah-Binah-Da’as, Shlomo Hamelech discusses how these three attributes of the Torah were used in the creation of the world. The Malvinas explains that they refer to the ‘building’, the ‘roof’, and its furniture. We noted that these distinctions might have been at the core of Moshe and Betzalel’s disagreement. Like Shlomo’s recommendation to keep these concepts ‘in our eyes’, we spoke about a modern study in using abnormal reminders to make sure we fulfill our responsibilities.

Peshischa on the Parsha: Elevating the Sanctity within Time - Nov 22, 2019 - When the pasuk says ‘and the life of Sarah was 127’, it could have easily just said ‘Sarah lived 127 years’. The Sfas Emes explains that just as every physical form on earth possesses a spiritual potential, to bring out its holiness, so too time -which is also limited to the natural world- has inherent holiness to be brought out. There was ‘life’ in each of Sarah’s 127 years. Each moment’s potential was fully fulfilled. The Sfas Emes also connected this to the midrash about R Akiva waking up his students by saying that her 127 years merited Esther 127 provinces- it allowed Hashem’s influence at a time and in a place of ‘Hester’, hiddenness.