Parashah Roundup: Vayetze 5768

by Steve Brizel

Yaakov and Lavan

R. Ephraim Buchwald, based upon R Samson Rafael Hirsch, explores the interaction between Yaakov and Lavan: link

Yaakov and the Jewish Home

R. Zev Leff shows why the Jewish home and Yaakov are integrally related: link

The Personality of Yaakov

R. Avigdor Nevenzahl explores how Yaakov prevailed over the atmosphere and environment in Lavan's household: link

Dr. Amos Bar-da discusses Yaakov's spiritual growth: link

R. Amnon Bazak analyzes why Yaakov fled from Lavan: link

R. Yaakov Medan investigates how Yaakov fulfilled a Neder Bes Tzarah: link

R. Michael Rosenzweig contrasts Yaakov and Esau and helps us undestand that persistence and initiative are essential in Avodas HaShem: link

R. Berel Wein emphasizes the importance of teaching Torah values in addition to Torah knowledge: link

Yaakov and Galus

R. Asher Brander discusses why Yaakov is identified with Galus: link

Yaakov and Tefilas Maariv

R. Jonathan Sacks investigates why Yaakov Avinu is associated with Tefilas Maariv: link

Spotted and Speckled Sheep

R. Shlomoh Wolbe zt"l discusses the positive power of the imagination: link (DOC)

Kever Rachel

R. Shlomo Riskin investigates the historical significance of Kever Rachel: link

Acharon Acharon Chaviv Department

The OU has asked all of us to emphasize the importance of Jerusalem in our faith this Shabbos: link

R. Aharon Lichtenstein explores the special merit that our generation has to a united Jewish Jerusalem: link

R. Ezra Bick discusses why Jerusalem is so important to us and the structure of two brachos in the weekday Shemoneh Esreh: link (DOC)