Tag: Genesis

Far From the Tree

Tazria takes its name from conception and childbirth. Ilana Kurshan connects this to bearing fruit, both literally and metaphorically.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva March 29, 2023 Parashat Tazria Parashat Tazria Dvar Torah

Coming Home

A claim to the land of Israel ranged from a covenant with Abraham to laws to keep the land. This week's haftarah discusses that.

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva January 19, 2023 Parashat Bo Parashat Bo Haftarah

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

Reversals

Parashat Vayigash continues a long narrative of sibling relationships. The reconciliation focused on here, reflects in this week's haftarah.

Bex Stern Rosenblatt, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva December 26, 2022 Parashat Vayigash Parashat Vayigash Haftarah

Study Guide: A Good Long Cry

Joseph, after revealing his identity to his brothers, invites the family to Egypt. They share an emotional reunion and a good long cry.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva December 26, 2022 Parashat Vayigash Parashat Vayigash Study Guide

Laden Wagons

In parashat Vayigash the patriarch Jacob learns the truth about his son Joseph, in realizing Joseph's laden wagons.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva December 26, 2022 Parashat Vayigash Parashat Vayigash 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

Glimmers of an Incandescent Light

In parashat Miketz, Jacob sends his sons to Egypt, but unbeknownst to his sons, the ruler dispersing rations is their younger brother, Joseph.

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

Reading Critically

Many of our sacred texts are deeply unsettling. Our ancestors are deeply flawed people and their stories do not present easy takeaways.

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

Study Guide: It’s All in The Telling

Study guide for Parashat Vayeshev, following the story surrounding Joseph and his interaction with his master's wife.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva December 11, 2022 Parashat Vayeshev Parashat Vayeshev 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

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

What is Simhat Torah?

Simḥat Torah means “the joy of Torah” and is the name for the day on which the annual cycle of Torah readings begins and ends. ...

Rabbi Alan Lucas, The Observant Life (Book) October 28, 2022 High Holidays Holidays

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