Dec 5, 2024
Vayetze | Yaakov's Years in Haran, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom
Parashat Vayetze, from beginning to end, details Yaakov's years "on the run", all of which are in Haran. How long was he there? Yaakov tells us - "I was in your house for 20 years..."; however, limiting Yaakov's years there to 20 raises numerous...
Nov 27, 2024
Toldot | "Do You Have Only One Blessing, Father?" by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom
The central story of Parashat Toldot is Yaakov's successful deception of his father, Yitzchak, to "steal" the blessing intended for Esav. When Esav learns of the ruse, his plaint to his father is "do you have but one blessing, my father"? Indeed,...
Nov 14, 2024
Vayera | What Really (Almost) Happened in Sedom, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom
How could Lot conceivably offer his daughters to the men of Sedom?
We are accustomed to reading the story of Sedom and imagining an angry gang of the men of the town surrounding Lot's house and demanding that he send out the two visitors for...
Nov 7, 2024
Lekh Lekha | The Ethics of Rejoicing Over the Death of our Enemies, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom
The current war that we are fighting has brought many moments of despair and sadness, but there have also been moments of triumph, including the notifications of the "neutralization" of some of our worst, bloodthirsty, barbaric...
Oct 31, 2024
Noach | Days of Wine and Curses: A Fresh Look at The Curse of Canaan, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom
What was Cham's sin in the tent?
The immediate postdiluvian scene (Bereishit 9:18-29) is troubling on several accounts. Why is Cham introduced (twice!) as "father of Canaan"? What did he do that was so egregious that...