Vayeḥi: Chariot of the Divine Presence
byWhile it’s true that Yosef didn’t become a ‘fourth patriarch’ of the nation of Israel, it’s also true that he gained some patriarchal traits in that both of his two sons became full fledged Israelite tribes.
Culture
Vayigash: Returning Home
byYosef’s efforts to build Egypt didn’t advance the Hebrew mission. The world can only be fixed through a powerful Israeli nation in our land.
Mikeitz: Dreams
byAn understanding of ancient Egyptian society can help us appreciate why Pharaoh’s wise men & sorcerers couldn’t see the meaning of his dreams.
Vayeishev: The Individual & the Collective
byExcessive involvement with personal repentance & growth, without any concern for the broader collective & its needs, can often lead to confusion.
When a Nation Meets Its Destiny
byThe confrontation with Esav’s spiritual minister was a key point in Yaakov’s transformation into Israel.
Vayishlaḥ: The Danger of Gathering Sparks
byWhile gathering the holy sparks hidden within other cultures is one of Israel’s hidden missions in exile, we must be careful not to delay our return home.
Vayetzei: The Secret Order of Hebrew Maidservants
byThe Hebrew maidservants that tended to Israel’s matriarchs may have been part of a secret order meant to guard & educate them in serving HaShem.
Toldot: ‘This’ Versus ‘I’
byRivka wasn’t aware that she was carrying twins. Assuming there to only be one child in her womb, she had trouble understanding her experience.
Ḥayei Sarah: Efron’s Allyship to Avraham
byEfron understood Avraham’s potential to elevate humanity & therefore helped him to overcome all objections to his purchase of the Makhpela cave.
Vayeira: Did Avraham Encounter Angels?
byWhen our masters sharply disagree on the meaning of Scripture, could they simultaneously be correct?
The Danger of Fake Friends
byWhat the dynamics between Avraham & Lot teaches us about our relationship with Christian Zionists.
Lekh Lekha: They Will Give Me Gifts
byOn a deep level, the ‘hunger’ that brought Avraham down to Egypt was the desire to liberate & uplift the spark of holiness trapped in the Egyptian kingdom.