Shemot (Ex. 1:1-6:1)

“Who Are You?”

            Parasha Shemot brings us into the book known in English as Exodus. We are introduced to Moses, an Israelite born man, who was taken in by Pharaoh’s daughter as a baby. After a series of events as a young man, he runs away to Midian and lives a quiet life until he is approached by Hashem. This event takes place in chapter 3, verses 1-15. While tending his father-in-law’s flock, Moses sees a burning bush and hears a voice. The voice calls him by name and it is the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Hashem tells him that He wishes for him to free His people (the Israelites) from Pharaoh. Later in the parasha, Moses agrees to take on this command.

            “Shemot” is translated as names and I find that very applicable. When G-d speaks to Moses, Moses asks who he should tell the Israelites that he is speaking for. Hashem tells him that he is “Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh” or “I Am Who I Am” and that the people should call Him Adonai or The L-rd.

            Moses was given his name by the Pharaoh’s daughter when she found him in the Nile River. It means “draw out” and his life purpose ended up being to “draw out” the Israelites from Egypt. Another note that I’d like to point out is that Hashem picked a bush, which is low, rather than a tall tree to address Moses. Some interpret this as G-d not wanting to appear haughty. However, I feel that it was done to remind us to not have our noses in the air, so to speak. In other word, we must always remember to humble ourselves before G-d.

Va-yehi (Gen. 47:28-50:26)

Earning Your Place

            This week’s parasha and the final parasha in Genesis is Va-yehi. Preparing to leave this world, Jacob talks to his sons one last time. In his final hours, Jacob blesses Joseph and Joseph’s sons, then his other 11 sons. Jacob tells Joseph he wishes to be buried back in Canaan. After Jacob’s passing, Joseph’s brothers offer themselves to Joseph as slaves, but he won’t have it. The parasha closes with Joseph’s death.

            When Jacob blesses Joseph, he blesses him with a portion more than his brothers. As first-born, Reuben would normally have the birthright, but this was squandered for not standing up for Joseph and for sleeping with his father’s concubine (Gen 35:22). This shows that even though you think you should qualify for something, i.e. being part of a religion, you still have to work for rewards. It is said “With great power comes great responsibility.” We have the blessing and curse of free will. Let’s handle our souls with care.

Va-yiggash (Gen 44:18-47:27)

Letting it Go

           

            Va-yiggash, or as I like to think of it, “Joseph’s Big Reveal,” is this week’s parasha. Genesis 45:1-15 recounts Joseph letting his brothers’ know who he is and embracing them. When Pharaoh hears the news, he welcomes them and tells them to make Egypt their home as the famine is to last 5 more years. They heed this advice and now the house of Israel is once again removed from the Promised Land.

            As Joseph tells his brothers who he is, he says, “Now, do not be distressed or reproach yourselves because you sold me hither; it was to save life that G-d sent me here.” (Genesis 45:5) Joseph has accepted what his brothers did and also recognizes the true purpose for it. He realizes that he would have never gotten anywhere if he let his brothers’ decision rule his life or tried to get back at them. He kept moving forward and did great deeds for others. When others curse us or do wrong by us, we could miss out on a blessing while being stuck on their acts. Let go and let G-d!

Mikkets (Gen 41:1-44:17)

Blessings in Disguise

            Parasha Mikkets finds Joseph being released from the Egyptian prison on the merit of his dream reading. He interprets Pharaoh’s dreams as a sign that there was to be 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine. Joseph is made Pharaoh’s second-in-command and gets married. He leads the stocking up of supplies during the 7 years of plenty. The famine hits the world hard and back in Canaan, Jacob and his family hears word of provisions being distributed in Egypt. Jacob sends his 10 sons, leaving out Benjamin, to see about grain rations. They don’t recognize Joseph, who sees that they get their rations.

            Last week, I mentioned the idea that bad things can sometimes happen to good. Yes, Joseph was cast out and had to spend time in prison. Now, he finds himself the Pharaoh’s right-hand man. Now, his family needs his help. Hashem puts everything in place for a reason. When the pieces are down, just think about the bigger picture you’ll see when the L-rd brings it all together.

Va-yeshev (Genesis 37:1-40:23)

Fortunate Son

           Va-yeshev, this week’s parasha, begins a shift in focus to Joseph, son of Jacob and Rachel. Joseph was the favorite of Jacob, which angered his brothers who began to plot against him. This jealousy led them to sell him into slavery, eventually leading him to Egypt and the home of Potiphar, chief steward of Pharaoh. Potiphar’s wife falsely accuses Joseph of rape after he would not submit to her advances. The parasha closes out with Joseph in prison for this accusation.

            Joseph was a good man. He is even known by some as Josef l’Tzaddik (Joseph the Righteous). But as many of us know bad things can still happen to good people. Joseph’s perils came about by being the favored son of his father and other’s envy just as we, Hashem’s Chosen People, have faced. Most recently, this is being seen in the fight our Israeli brothers and sisters face daily. Life is tough sometimes, but we should recall that “no weapon formed against you shall succeed” (Isaiah 54:17).

Va-yishlah (Genesis 32:4-36:23)

What’s in a Name?

            This week’s parasha is Va-yishlah. It follows Jacob and his family back to the promised land of Canaan. Jacob, in an event, that I will be dissecting, acquires the name Israel. He also ends the feud with his brother Esau. Jacob’s sons Simeon and Levi are forced to retaliate when their only sister Dinah is raped. Jacob’s beloved wife Rachel dies giving birth to Benjamin. The parasha ends with the listing of Esau’s descendants.

            The aforementioned renaming of Jacob is found in Genesis 32:25-33 and 35:9-14. Jacob is left by himself one evening while traveling from his uncle Laban’s home. He wrestles with a man all night. Jacob has the upper hand and will not end the fight until the man blesses him. Jacob is told that from now on he will be called Israel because he has striven with beings both divine and human. Later, G-d reiterates that and also reminds him that a nation will descend from him.

            Names are very meaningful. For most parents, a new baby’s name is quite a big deal. Whether it’s after a relative or drawn out of a hat, it will be with them for life. In Jacob’s case it was connected to the fact that he was clutching to Esau’s heel at their birth. This is seen as him trying to “supplant his brother.” (Hosea 12:4) But after Jacob receives his new name, one could consider him reborn as a new man ready to receive his own due and ready to reconcile with his brother. This new name, Israel, is translated as “one who has prevailed with G-d.” What a blessing it is to be the children of Israel; we are descended from greatness. I look at “prevailed with” not from an argumentative or fighting stance but as the fact that we can only prevail with G-d’s help. In our 5773 year history, we have proven that we have that help to persevere and we won’t back down.

Va-yetse' (Gen 28:10-32:3)

Stairway to Heaven

            This week’s parasha, Va-yetse’, follows Jacob’s journey from his parent’s home in Beer-Sheba toward his uncle’s home in Haran. The recount of Jacob’s ladder is found at the beginning of the parasha, Genesis 28:10-22. Jacob stops to sleep for the night, resting his head on a stone. In his dream, he envisions a stairway up to the sky being used by angels of the L-rd. The L-rd stood beside him and told him that he was the G-d of his grandfather Abraham and his father Isaac. He told Jacob that the ground he was laying on would be assigned to him and his offspring whose descendants would be as numerous as the dust of the earth. The people of the earth would bless themselves by his descendants, but most importantly Hashem was with him and would protect him wherever he went and would bring him back to that land.

            Jacob awakens and proclaimed that the L-rd was present in that place and that it was the gateway to Heaven. He sets the stone that he had used for a pillow as a pillar and pours oil on it. He names the site Bethel, or House of G-d. Jacob continues his journey and makes it to Laban’s home. He stays as a worker, eventually marrying Laban’s daughters Leah and Rachel.

            If you’ve read the parasha, you know that a lot happens between Jacob and Laban and between Leah, Rachel, and Jacob. However, I am just focusing on Jacob’s dream. I find dreams interesting, in general. To me, they are an expression of true thoughts and desires. When people want to know your goals and aspirations, they often ask, “What are your dreams?” Jacob’s dream itself is also quite profound. He sees a stairway. You could say life is like a ladder. Your destination may be just out of reach, but if you try to skip the necessary steps, or rungs, to get there, you could find yourself back at the beginning. Life experiences could be seen as the rungs. Good or bad, they make you stronger and more driven to keep climbing. Just like Jacob, our highest goal is the True World, Heaven. Living an obedient and meaningful live will give us the strength to keep climbing.

Toledot (Genesis 25:19-28:9)

What Legacy Will You Leave?

Parasha Toledot invites us into the home of Isaac and Rebekah. Rebekah has given birth to twin sons Esau and Jacob. As the first born of the two, Esau is to have the birthright to Isaac’s blessing. Genesis 25:29-34 tells of Esau’s mistake. He had been out and cam in famished. Jacob had been preparing soup. Jacob would only give it to him in exchange for Esau’s birthright, so Esau swore it to him. Later, Jacob impersonates his brother with his mother’s help to get the vocal blessing from Isaac, who was blind and at the point of death.

Esau made a rash decision that affected his life. There is a reason we are told not to sign legal documents after being under anesthesia. When you are not in your right mind, you cannot think responsibly. Esau stated “I am at the point of death, so of what use is my birthright to me?” (Gen 25:32) Why risk a few moments of pleasure for a regret in tenfold? A translation of the word Toledot is descendants. Esau’s choice greatly affected his future descendants. Think about your future, but also the future of the those that will come after you. Know the life you want to live but more importantly, the life Hashem wants you to lead.

            

Hayyei Sarah (Gen 23:1-25:18)

Quenching A Thirst

           This week’s parasha is Hayyei Sarah, which begins with Sarah’s death at the age of 127. After finding a proper burial site for his wife, Abraham begins the task of finding a wife for Isaac. Chapter 24 covers this and I choose to offer my interpretations on it. Abraham sends his senior servant off to find an eligible woman. The servant was to bring a camel to the well and ask for a sip of water from a maiden. The maiden that offered up water to the camel in addition to the servant was to be selected. The woman who met that qualification was Rebekah, Abraham’s grandniece. Laban, Rebekah’s brother, agreed to the engagement, as it was decreed by the L-rd. Rebekah followed Abraham’s servant back from Nahor and was taken as Isaac’s wife.

            I found the selection process for Isaac’s spouse so profound. She was literally quenching a thirst. Isaac had just lost his mother and needed a woman’s caring heart back in his life. He also had to be fruitful and multiply to carry on the covenant made by Hashem with his father. We should all be blessed to find a partner that satiates our need for love, togetherness, knowledge, but most importantly shares our beliefs, religiously. I also found the use of the camel interesting. Camels are probably your best travel option in a desert. This is because they store up on water. When the camel was offered water by Rebekah, it drank even though it may not have needed it. We can learn from that. We should be the same way with Torah. We may think we are learning enough, making all the right decisions, etc, but there is no such thing as too much Torah. Be like that camel and always take the opportunity to take in more nutrition for your soul.

Va-yera' (Gen 18:1-22:24)

Are You Ready For The Test?

           Parasha Va-yera’ is what I like to call a “testy” parasha. It’s chock-full of examples of tests on obedience and faith. We continue to read about the lives of Abraham and Sarah and their nephew Lot. Va-yera’ begins with a visit to Abraham and Sarah from 3 men who tell them that by that time next year Sarah, who was past child-bearing age, was to have a son. Sarah is recorded as having laughed, but later tried to lie to the L-rd about it. The next major event is the destruction of the evil cities, Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot, who has settled near there, is told to take his family and depart. They are strictly warned to go forward and not look back. Lot’s wife cannot obey and turns around and is swiftly turned to salt. Later, as promised, Isaac is born to Abraham and Sarah. The final test of the reading comes in Chapter 22. The L-rd commands Abraham to give Isaac as a burnt offering. Abraham binds the boy to the wood and places him on the altar. Just before Isaac was to be slain, Hashem stops it and commends Abraham for his fear of Him and sets a ram in the midst to be used instead.

            As I said earlier, this parasha is a great example of tests; not as pronounced as the Book of Job, but it still merits being looked at. The first comes from Sodom and Gomorrah (18:22-20:38). Lot, being kin to Abraham, is to be saved from the destruction. He and his family have to trust the L-rd to deliver them and are told to not look back. We know what Lot’s wife’s fate was in regards to that. This was a test of obedience. The second test was the announcement Sarah’s impending pregnancy (18:9-15). Sarah’s laughter was show of the result of a test of faith. The final test in the reading was the Binding of Isaac, which was another test of faith (22:1-18). This may be a huge cliché, but we will take tests in this life. Not just SATs, MCATs, or LSATs, but tests that will affect our eternal future. Let’s take time to study up and make the grade.

Lekh Lekha (Gen 12:1-17:27)

Stepping Out on Faith

            This week’s parasha, Lekh Lekha, introduces us to the 1^st Patriarch, Abraham. It begins with G-d’s command to Abram to take up his wife Sarai, and his nephew Lot and leave for Canaan. The parasha features their journey from Haran through Egypt and into Canaan. In the final chapter, the L-rd makes a covenant with Abram and changes his name to Abraham and his wife’s name to Sarah. The L-rd tells Abraham that this covenant will be maintained for all his offspring to come and declares the land of Canaan to be the land of this people. Lekh Lekha concludes with the bris of Abraham as the sign of the covenant between G-d and Abraham.

            The translations of the words “Lekh Lekha” that I found were “Go to yourself” and “Go to your faith.” Both are quite applicable. Not much is said of Abraham’s life before he was called up. However I’m sure that once he followed Hashem, it was imminently better. You could say he “found” himself. The second translation is even more noticeable. Once Abraham reached his destination, the L-rd extended his covenant and Abraham became the father of the Jewish faith. Also, just by observing the L-rd’s command to leave, he began his faith walk; a sojourn we take everyday. This journey requires the faith that our upbringing, values and observances will too lead us on the right path.

Noach (Gen 6:9-11:32)

Stand Your Ground Before It’s Gone

This week’s parasha is Noach, which is known for the Flood story. The Earth had become an evil place and the L-rd wished to wipe it out. However, He felt that one man, Noah was righteous and should be preserved along with his family. The L-rd gave Noah specific directions on the building of an ark, which would become their home until the destruction of the Earth was over. Noah and his kin, along with two of every animal, followed Hashem’s instructions and after 40 days and nights of unimaginable rain found themselves with the challenge of repopulating the Earth.
Even though we may not be tasked to gather up two of every animal or build an ark, our lives obviously have their challenges as well; especially when we try to live more righteous lives and follow certain guidelines. People may question our dietary choices, prayer times, or other religious commitments, but we can look to men like Noah as an example of staying strong. Imagine the looks and insults he probably received while building a 300 cubits by 50 by 30 (about 440 feet long, 73 feet wide, 43 feet high) ark in the middle of a desert. But with every instruction, Noah did “just as G-d commanded him” (Genesis 6:22). Had he not followed the L-rd’s commandment, Noah would have been swept away with the rest of the population. He stood his ground and ended up as one of only a few people with a ground to stand on. When we have our “rainy days” in life, we too can look forward to a rainbow.

Bereishit (Gen 1:1- 6:8)

Establishing Order for a New World

The first parasha of the yearly cycle is Bereishit, which is also known as the Story of Creation. It describes the steps that were taken by the L-rd in order to bring about this world. Gen1:1-6:8 tells of the 6 days, in which this was done as well as the story of the lives of the first two humans and their kin.

The first four days include the creation of Heaven and Earth, Light and Dark, Evening, and Morning, and Seas and Plants. Day 5 introduces sea-creatures and birds. Day 6 sees the creation of insects, beasts of land, and humans. On day 7, the L-rd rested, establishing what would become the Sabbath. The next 4 and a half chapters share the story of Adam and Eve, the Garden of Eden, the first sin, the first murder, and man’s expansion on Earth until the time of Noah.

I choose to hone in on the story of Creation for this particular summary. In today’s time-senstive, get-it-done-yestarday age, it seems appropriate. Our L-rd is all-powerful and therefore could’ve created everything with the snap of a finger. However, He chose to do it over the course of 6 days. I feel that this detail is note-worthy because anything worth doing takes time. We should feel an awesome self-worth. More importantly, we should value the time we have on this planet that was so lovingly made. In valuing that time, we can stop and think about that the order that should be kept in our own lives. The L-rd knew that the fish couldn’t be created without having an ocean to live in. The same goes for people and land. You can’t build a house from the top down. You must build a foundation first. Time for work, school, etc is important, but there should also be time set aside for Torah study, prayer and mitzvot. The latter are the foundation for a good and purposeful life. In parting, remember to keep order in your life and that even G-d rested!