Parashah Roundup: Vayetze 5769

by Steve Brizel

Yaakov Avinu's Journey

R. Michael Rosenweig shows us how Yaakov Avinu's life demonstrates persistence and initiative in Avodas HaShem: link

Talmud Torah and Kibud Av VaEm

R. Asher Weiss explores the balancing of these two halachos: link

The Yeshivos of Shem and Ever

R. Berel Wein reminds us that Torah values, as opposed to just knowledge, grades and test scores are the keyes to a sucessful Torah education: link

The Tznius of Rachel Imeinu

R. Larry Rothwachs provides us with insights into the character of Rachel Imeinu: link (PDF)

Yaakov's Vow

R. David Horwitz, R. Yitzchak Etshalom, and R. Yissocher Frand analyze the contents of Yaakov's dream, the charge given to Yaakov by Yitzchak and his response: link 1, link 2, link 3

Click here to read moreMaaser Kesafim and Charitable Contributions

R. Dovid Gottlieb discusses the underlying concepts of Maaser Kesafim: link (audio)

The House of the Lord and the Gate of Heaven

R. Aharon Lichtenstein reminds us that we must see God in this world and remember that this world is the window to another world: link

Yaakov's Decision to Return

R. Ephraim Buchwald explains why Yaakov Avinu consulted with Leah and Rachel before deciding to return to Eretz Yisrael: link

The Covenant of Separation

R. Ezra Bick and R. Shlomo Riskin explore why Yaakov built a matzevah upon departing from the house of Lavan: link 1, link 2

Yaakov Avinu's Tefilah

R. Jonathan Sacks explains why Tefilas Maariv represents those elements in our communal and personal lives that are beyond our control: link

R. Dovid Gottlieb discusses the halachic and hashkafic bases of Tefilas Maariv: link (audio)

The Holy and the Mundane

The Nesivos Shalom, as explicated by R. Yitzchak Adlerstein, shows how Yaakov Avinu found sanctity in the activities of everyday life: link

The Three Pillars

R. Avigdor Nevenzal explains why the study of Torah is the highest of the three pillars that the world stands on: link

Yaakov Avinu and the Jew in the Exile

R. Baruch Simon exhorts us to use Ahavas HaTorah and Ahavas Yisrael as the keys to extricate ourselves individually and communally from Galus: link

R. Asher Brander reminds us that survival in Galus depends on our ability to roll away the darkness in favor of the light: link

Dreams and Halacha

R. Larry Rothwachs explores the halachic ramifications of dreams: link (PDF)

The Threat of Lavan

R. Avraham Gordimer explains why Lavan was more dangerous than Pharoh: link

Last year's roundup: link