Weekly Parsha Thoughts

The Gemara says that the reason Pharaoh decreed for all boys born to be thrown into the river, was because his astrologers said that the savior of Bnei Yisroel will be struck by water.  Out of his great fear, Pharaoh decreed that... Read More

The Gemara says that when Yosef came to bury Yaakov Avinu, Esav came and protested. He said, “In Kiryas Arbeh (where  the Me’aras HaMachpeila is) there is supposed to be four pairs. (Adam & Chava, Avraham & Sara, Yitzchak & Rivka, Yaakov... Read More

Yosef reveals himself to his brothers and says, “I am Yosef; is my father still alive?”  The passuk continues, “and the brothers couldn’t answer…” The Gemara says: Woe to us on the day of judgment, woe to us on the day of... Read More

The passuk says, “vayihi mikaitz shnasayim yamim,” on which the Midrash says “kaitz sum lachoshech” Hashem set an end to the darkness of Yosef being in jail, and when this time came Pharaoh had a dream.  The Beis HaLevi explains that everything... Read More

The pesukim say “and Reuven heard and he saved him from their hands and he said, ‘we shouldn’t kill him.’ And Reuven said to them, ‘don’t spill his blood, throw him into this pit which is in the desert and don’t send... Read More

The pesukim in this parsha tell us that Yaakov sent presents to Esav.  When Yaakov and Esav met, Esav said, “yaish lee rav,” therefore I don’t want to take the presents.  Yaakov replied, “yaish lee kol,” therefore you should take the presents. ... Read More