By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz The Torah lists many holidays, but Mother’s Day is not one of them. Because the Torah commands us to honor our parents, every day is Mother’s Day (and Father’s Day). But if there could be one designated day to...
Benjamin was Jacob’s only son born in the holy land, coincidentally right after Jacob’s name was changed to Israel. Rachel named her second son with her dying breath ‘Ben-oni’ (בֶּן־אוֹנִי). The Sages explain the name as meaning ‘son of...
Rachel died soon upon arriving in Israel since being married to two sisters is explicitly forbidden in the Torah. The Bible goes on to describe Jacob erecting a monument at the site. The traditional site of Rachel’s Tomb now stands in Bethlehem, adjacent to the modern city of Efrat.
Once, at the time of the wheat harvest, Reuben came upon some mandrakes in the field and brought them to his mother Leah. Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.” Genesis 30:14 The conflict between the...
Lyrics taken from Jeremiah 31:14,15
Jacob has been promised by God that his children will inherit the Land of Israel. Indeed, he is the first forefather to pass on this promise and blessing to all of his children. This week’s portion tells of Jacob’s flight from Beersheba,...
![Stained glass windows representing the Twelve Tribes of Israel grace the synagogue of Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem. Artist: Marc Chagall [Photo: Wikimedia Commons]](https://theisraelbible.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Hadassah_Chagall_Windows.jpg)