This week’s Torah portion, Vayechi, begins with the death of Jacob. Similar to the death of Sarah, which began with a sentence about life (“And it was the life of Sarah…”), Jacob’s death is also introduced with life (“And Jacob lived…”). Life and death are intertwined. We live but we also know that death stands…

Maimonides writes the following in the Mishnah Torah, his book of Jewish law, based on a source in the Talmud: “A Jew is not allowed to follow in the ways of the idolaters, and is not permitted to imitate their dress or hair style.    Just as a Jew is different in their thinking and…

In this week’s Parsha, Vayechi, Jacob dies and the brothers of Joseph are afraid that Joseph will take revenge upon them.  Joseph says to them, “Am I in the place of God? Although you intended me harm, God intended it for good, so as to bring about the present result—the survival of many people.  And…

In this week’s Parsha, Vayichi, we have a familiar story of blessings bestowed upon two brothers.  According to the Torah the first born receives a double portion and is meant to be the leader and even the Jewish people itself, as a leader among the nations, is in this sense called by God, “My firstborn.”…