Haftarah – A Holocaust Refuge on Mount Zion

Haftarah – A Holocaust Refuge on Mount Zion

As the situation for European Jewry began to deteriorate, the Chofetz Chaim was asked in 1933 about the fate of the Jewish people. As recorded by one of his close disciples, the revered rabbi answered, “Hitler shall fail! No one has ever succeeded in destroying our...

Weekly Torah Portion: The Trouble with Zealotry

Jacob is torn between two values – the desire to live in peace and be accepted by the local inhabitants, and the desire to defend the honor of his daughter and of his family. This week’s portion tells of Jacob’s return to the Land of Canaan, beginning with his...

Preparing to Meet Esau

Jacob sends messengers ahead to his brother to alert Esau that he is coming home. The messengers return with an ominous report: Esau is coming out to greet him with four hundred men!   To prepare for the potentially hostile encounter, Jacob divides his camp into...