Wednesday, December 03, 2008

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


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