Hi, Here’s a Rosh Hashanah thought. There’s challah dipped in honey. Apple and honey. And there’s also a custom to eat a pomegranate. Before eating it, we say a prayer, “May it be G-d’s will that our merits are as plentiful as the seeds of a pomegranate.” We seem to be asking G-d to give […]

Hi, … Here’s what we might have expected Joseph to do when he saw his brothers. “Hi.  I’m Joseph your brother!  Lets put it all behind us.  I forgive you. Go tell Dad that I’m alive and well.  That I’m second in command here. Bring Dad down here.  I’ll take care of all your needs!” […]

Hi, Joseph puts his brothers through the ringer! (Genesis, 42-44) It certainly looks that way. … There’s a famine in the Land of Israel. Jacob sends his sons down to Egypt to buy food. And who’s in charge?  Joseph! He recognizes them.  But they don’t recognize him. Joseph accuses them of being spies. They deny […]

Hi, Joseph puts his brothers through the ringer! (Genesis, 42-44) It certainly looks that way. … There’s a famine in the Land of Israel. Jacob sends his sons down to Egypt to buy food. And who’s in charge?  Joseph! He recognizes them.  But they don’t recognize him. Joseph accuses them of being spies. They deny […]

Hi, … The blessing of the children. It’s one of the most beautiful customs at the Shabbat Friday night meal. It sends a very important message to the child. Because we can imagine how a child might feel at a festive meal. With all those adults!  Talking about “adult stuff”! And there may be important […]

Hi, Joseph was a very handsome man.  (Genesis, 39) And his master’s wife tried to seduce him.  Again and again. Every day. And Joseph resisted. One day, they were alone in the house, and she grabbed Joseph by his garment. Joseph left his garment in her hand and ran out! Then she accused Joseph of […]

Hi, “Bible Stories.” The Torah is not meant to be a history book. Sometimes it will spend pages and pages on one story. Like Abraham taking care of guests. Or Joseph and his brothers. And then it will skip a few hundred years. Not a very complete history! The stories are there because they teach […]

Hi, I hope you were able to sleep last night! What’s the second thing the Joseph teaches us? … The power of the Torah! A story like this shocks us. “ Jews don’t do things like this”! And its true. Violent crime is so rare among Jews. And we’re the People that has suffered the […]

Hi, Let’s start “Joseph and His Brothers.”  (Genesis, 37- 47) Joseph is the “apple of Jacob’s eye.” He shows it.  And the brothers see it. They’re very jealous.   And to top it off? Joseph tells his brothers about his dreams. How the brothers bowed down to Joseph. He seems to want to rule over them. […]

Hi, Just returned from a wedding. … Get ready! We’re about to start what is probably the most well known “Bible Story.” “Joseph and His Brothers.” Full of drama.  Intrigue.  And family dynamics. But most importantly? Its full of lessons for life! … You may have seen a few of the movies. But as I […]