The Rambam provides the following background as an introduction to his laws of Chanukah: בבית שני כשמלכו יון גזרו גזירות על ישראל ובטלו דתם ולא הניחו אותם לעסוק בתורה ובמצוות. ופשטו ידם בממונם ובבנותיהם ונכנסו להיכל ופרצו בו פרצות וטמאו הטהרות. וצר להם לישראל מאד מפניהם ולחצום לחץ גדול עד שריחם עליהם אלקי אבותינו והושיעם…
In this week’s parsha we find the episode of Yehuda and Tamar. Rather than openly revealing Yehuda’s involvement in her crime, Tamar made a discrete hint that only Yehuda would understand: היא מוצאת והיא שלחה אל חמיה לאמר לאיש אשר אלה לו אנכי הרה. As she was taken out [to be executed], she sent word…
The Ramban describes how every detail of our forefather’s lives was a signpost, indicating the events that would occur to their descendants. Yaakov’s wanderings in exile, as he fled first from the wrath of his Eisav, and later from the jealousy of Lavan, foretold of the exiles that his children would suffer throughout the ages. …
The Ramban calls Sefer Bereishis “The Book of Creation,” since it begins with a description of the world’s creation, and continues with the lives of our Forefathers who “created” the patterns that their descendants were destined to follow.[1] Our Forefathers’ mitzvos and good deeds were not intended for their own spiritual benefit, or even for…
After ten years of infertility, in which Yitzchak and Rivka poured their hearts out in prayer for children, their prayers were finally answered and Rivka conceived. In truth, Rivka was barren, and it was physically impossible for her to have children. Hashem answered their prayers with a miracle that transcended nature. One would think that…
In the opening passages of this week’s parsha, Rashi cites a question from the Midrash Tanchuma: למה נסמכה מיתת שרה לעקידת יצחק, לפי שעל ידי בשורת העקידה שנזדמן בנה לשחיטה וכמעט שלא נשחט פרחה נשמתה ממנה ומתה. Why was the death of Sarah recorded in the Torah alongside Akeidas Yitzchak? When she was informed…
