What Rachel Can Teach You About Being a Mother
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...
Why was Rachel buried in Bethlehem?
After Abraham purchased the field of Ephron the Hittite in Hebron, and after Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Rivkah in the Machpelah Cave, it was expected that Jacob and his wives would also be buried at the site. So it was surprising that...
Mandrakes are the Biblical Love Plant
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...
The Portion of Vayeitzei
This week’s portion tells of Jacob’s journey to find a suitable wife among his mother’s relatives. Along the way he dreams his famous dream of angels ascending and descending a ladder. In the home of his uncle, Laban, Jacob marries his...