Parashah Roundup: Vayeshev/Chanukah 5770

by Steve Brizel

Joseph and His Brothers

R Berel Wein contrasts Joseph and his brothers as reflecting the visions of dreamer and realists: link

R Yissocher Frand explores the tensions between Joseph and his brothers: link

R Moshe Lichtenstein explains the connection between the episodes involving Joseph and Yehudah: link

R Sir Jonathan Sacks illustrates why Reuven's life was marked by his not living up to his potential: link

R Ephraim Buchwald explores why the Torah tells us that the brothers ate bread after casting Joseph into the pit: link

R Shlomo Riskin suggests why Yaakov “guarded” Joseph's dreams: link

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R Avigdor Nevenzal explores the conduct of both Yosef and his brothers: link

R Asher Brander investigates the thinking of the brothers: link

Rebbitzen Smadar Rosensweig explores the roles and legacies of Reuven and Yehudah: link (audio)

R Avraham Gordimer explains why Yaakov favored Yosef and why we are introduced to Yosef via the visions of his dreams: link1, link 2

R Dovid Gottlieb investigates the halachic status of dreams: link

R Avishai David explains why the Jewish People had to leave the Land of Canaan and descend to the Land of Egypt: link

R Yaakov Neuberger discusses the commentary of Ramban with respect to Yosef's meeting with the angel in the field: link

Yehudah and Tamar

R David Fohrman explains why the episode of Yehudah and Tamar is related to the events involving Yosef: link 1, link 2, link 3

The Repentance of Yehudah and Reuven

R Aharon Lichtenstein and R Mordechai Willig illustrate how the Teshuvah of Yehudah can serve as a role model for all of us: link 1, link 2

The Issur of Yichud

R Dovid Gottlieb and R Elyakim Koenigsberg explicate the nature of the Issur of Yichud: link 1 (audio), link 2 (audio)

Joseph's Explanation of the Dreams of the Chief Butler and the Chief Baker

R Yitzchak Etshalom explores Joseph's explanation of the dreams of his fellow inmates: link

A Contemporary Illustration of the Dispute Between Joseph and his Brothers

Rav Soloveitchik ZL ( in Yiddish, and subsequentlty published as “The Rav Speaks”) explains how Gdolei Yisrael can differ on issues facing the Torah community: link (audio)

Shabbos Channukah

The Nesivos Shalom, as explicated by R Yitzchak Adlerstein, explains the unique nature of Shabbos Channukah: link

R Michael Rosensweig demonstrates why Channkah focuses on the relationship of Halachic commitment and performance and is a holiday of idealism and maximalism: link 1, link 2

R Asher Weiss discusses different aspects of Hilcos Channukah: link (audio)

R Baruch Simon illustrates why Channukah is a Tikun for Meciras Yosef: link (audio)

R Eytan Feiner explains what is the Simchah of the Avodah of Channukah: link (audio)

R Zvi Sobolofksy discusses halachic issues raised with respect to Neros Channukah, Neros Shabbos and Kiddush: link (audio)

R Uri Orlian investigates the contrast between Torah and Chachmah Yevanis: link (audio)

R David Horwitz explores what learns from the interplay between a Divine Decree and the unsuccesful exercise of zealousness and diligence: link

R Dovid Gottlieb discusses the unique element of Hiddur Mitzvah in Neros Channukah: link (audio)

R Joshua Flug discusses various halachos related to the recitation of Al HaNisim: link (audio)

R Reuven Taragin explores whether we are Hasmoneans or Hellenists: link (audio)