Parshat Vayeria – Maximizing our Potential

Parshas Vayeshev Jacob’s favoritism toward Joseph incites his brother’s hatred. Their jealousy increases when Joseph tells them about two dreams which indicate that they will one day be subservient to him. Jacob sends Joseph to check up on his brothers, and upon seeing him approaching they plot to kill him. Reuben convinces the brothers not…

Following the command in last week’s portion to be sanctified and holy, Parshas Emor begins by discussing various laws directed specifically to the Kohanim and the Kohen Gadol (High Priest). Included is the command for the Kohen to refrain from becoming ritually impure through contact with a dead body (except for close relatives) and increased…

Parshas Vayetze spans the twenty years spent by Yaakov Aveinu – the quintessential ish tam, man of integrity – in the inhospitable company of his sinister uncle, Lavan, a master of manipulation, deceit and double talk. From his initial embrace of Yaakov, which, Rashi notes, is actually a search for concealed valuables, Lavan is bent…