Tag: Bereshit

The Art of Assimilating Wisely

Hanukkah—when we read about the Maccabees resisting assimilation and Joseph embracing it—is a time to look at the art of assimilation wisely.

Rabbi David Baum December 14, 2023 Hanukkah Hanukkah Reflections

The Builder of the Dwelling

God created the world but it was not complete until a home was made for God. These homes come in the forms of the Mishkan ...

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva February 28, 2023 Parashat Pekudei Parashat Pekudei Haftarah

On Loss

This week's haftarah juxtaposes King David preparing for his own death with both Jacob and Joseph's preparations for their own deaths.

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva December 27, 2022 Parashat Vayechi Parashat Vayechi Haftarah

Study Guide: My Wife or Your Mother?

In this week’s parashah, Jacob asks Joseph to swear to bury him not in Egypt but rather lay him to rest with his ancestors.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva December 27, 2022 Parashat Vayechi Parashat Vayechi Study Guide

True Lovingkindness

Parashat Vayechi chronicles the deaths of Jacob and his son, Joseph, both of whom provide explicit instructions regarding their burials.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva December 27, 2022 Parashat Vayechi Parashat Vayechi Dvar Torah

Golden Bowls and Grand Concepts

In making sense of details we begin to construct the grander concept and we realize we are in the presence of something bigger.

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva December 11, 2022 Parashat Miketz Parashat Miketz Haftarah

Study Guide: The Perfect Gift

The brothers need more food but were told not to return without their youngest brother, whom their father refuses to part with.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva December 11, 2022 Parashat Miketz Parashat Miketz Study Guide

From Despair to Repair

In this week’s parashah, Judah's daughter-in-law Tamar tricks him into sleeping with her after she is not able to conceive with his sons.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva December 11, 2022 Parashat Vayeshev Parashat Vayeshev Dvar Torah

The Struggles That Shape Us

On the eve of Jacob’s meeting with his brother Esau, he finds himself wrestling with a divine figure, winning, and receiving a new name.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva December 5, 2022 Parashat Vayishlach Parashat Vayishlach Dvar Torah

Study Guide: Dual Loyalty

In the situation that revolves around Rachel and Leah's respective marriages to Jacob, a question of loyalty to family is asked.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva November 27, 2022 Parashat Vayetzei Parashat Vayetzei Study Guide

A Spiritual Exercise

After leaving his father's home, Jacob dreams of God and experiences prayer for the first time. Learn about living in dialogue with God.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva November 27, 2022 Parashat Vayetzei Parashat Vayetzei Dvar Torah

Pushback

In the haftarah for Parashat Toldot, the Book of Malachi describes a dialogue of pushback between God and the people of Israel.

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva November 17, 2022 Parashat Toldot Parashat Toldot Haftarah

Study Guide: Let’s Eat to That!

Discuss commentary on Jacob and Esau's interaction in Toldot. This study guide discusses the transaction of Esau's birth right.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva November 17, 2022 Parashat Toldot Parashat Toldot Study Guide

The Blinding of Isaac: A Blessing in Disguise

In Toldot, Isaac, now the family patriarch, bestows the blessing of the firstborn on Jacob instead of Esau, when Jacob tricks him.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva November 16, 2022 Parashat Toldot Parashat Toldot Dvar Torah

Modifying Memories

With memories ever-changing, how do we trust what we remember and what is shared with us? How do we trust the memories of Torah characters?

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva November 13, 2022 Parashat Chayei Sarah Haftarah Sefer Bereshit / Book of Genesis

A Crown of Glory

Parashat Chayei Sarah describes the final years of Abraham’s life, following the death of his wife Sarah and culminating in Abraham’s own death.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva November 13, 2022 Parashat Chayei Sarah Parashat Chayei Sarah Dvar Torah

The Moon is Always Female

In the beginning, according to God’s original plan, the Sun and the Moon were two who ruled alongside one another. What happened?

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva October 16, 2022 Parashat Bereshit Parashat Bereshit Dvar Torah