Parashat Ha Shavua Commentaries

There are many ways to relate to property. Other than owning possessions, our Torah portion teaches us of four alternate ways in which objects can be in our possession. It also details our responsibility towards them in case they become damaged while under our care (Shmote / Exodus 22, 9-15), based on the level of benefit gained and financial value allocated to that benefit. The Mishna (Baba Metzia 7, 8) summarizes these 4 modes of possession for us: Read more...

At one point or another each one of us has experienced a situation of feeling uncomfortable in a place we should feel comfort. A poignant example of this is visiting our parents' homes for an extended stay. After being on our own and enjoying our independent spaces, there is often uneasiness in returning to the space in which we were raised. Our rooms are either exactly the same (which can be a bit weird), or just the opposite-they have been transformed into offices, gyms, or are now the property of a sibling (which tends to touch a nerve). Read more...

While there are multiple questions one could pose to this week's Torah portion, there is one question that I have carried with me since childhood that seems to elicit no interest from the classic commentators. I will begin by juxtaposing the two curious verses and then invite you to join with me in my "Jewish, textual Rorschach test": "If a household be too few for a lamb, let him and his neighbor next to (HaKarov) his house take it according to the number of souls" (Shemot/Exodus 12, 4) Read more...

In this week's Torah portion, Vaï'Yehi, we complete the reading of the book of Genesis, meeting Jacob on his death bed, surrounded by his children. Having asked Joseph to take care of the details of his burial and ensure that he will be buried in Israel, Jacob summons his twelve sons, prepared to share final words with his children. Clearly a man with things on his mind and desire to share them, Jacob calls to his children saying: 'Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the end of days. Read more...

"Vayigash eilav Yehuda" - "And Yehuda approached him." (Breishit/Genesis 44, 18) These three words create the world of transformation. Yehuda (Judah) doesn't approach "Yoseph" (Joseph) but rather approaches "him". You may ask if this truly makes such a difference, am I not trying to see in the Torah more than is there. Read more...