Post Joseph in Suspense In this week’s Torah portion, we continue the story of Joseph in Egypt. The portion begins with Joseph’s rise to power, thanks to his successful interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream. He… Read More
Post Avraham’s Journey This map features Avraham’s journey to and throughout the Promised Land, as described in Genesis 11:31-23:20…. Read More
Post Did the Israelites Steal the Egyptian’s Gold and Silver? In 2003, about 3,300 years after the Hebrews left Egypt, Nabil Hilmy, dean of the faculty of law at Egypt’s Zagazig University, announced that he was suing the Jews for… Read More
Post Biblical Boundaries of the Land of Israel This map features the biblical boundaries of the Land of Israel as described in Genesis 15:18 and Genesis 17:8…. Read More
Post Matzah: Bread of Freedom or Bread of Affliction? In preparation for the final devastating plague, the Hebrews prepared the Passover lamb. The offering, whose blood, painted on their doorposts, would protect them from the Angel of Death and… Read More
Post The “Great Sabbath” The Shabbat that precedes Pesach (Passover) is called ‘Shabbat HaGadol’ (the big/great Sabbath). There are several reasons for this. According to Jewish tradition, the first Shabbat HaGadol was the last… Read More
Post Goshen: Where Israel Became a Nation When the house of Jacob went to Egypt, they were given the land of Goshen to settle (Genesis 45:10). The Children of Israel settled in Goshen for 430 years, growing… Read More
Post The Portion of Vayeira The Torah portion of Vayeira continues the story of Abraham as he establishes the foundation for the Jewish nation. Having circumcised himself at God’s command, he now encounters three visitors… Read More
Post The Secret of Joseph’s Coat of Many Colors I was the chef at a Jerusalem steak house with a modest reputation for several years. A young man came to the restaurant one day looking for a job. He… Read More
Post The Showdown Between Joseph and Judah The portion of Vayigash describes the pivotal showdown between Joseph and his older brother Judah. The meeting between the long-separated siblings is far from a pleasant reunion. Joseph appears to… Read More