By: Rabbi Yosef Kalatsky The Special Level of Yaakov, Our Patriarch The Midrash Tanchuma states, “Reb Shimon Bar Yochai said, “Hashem said to the Klal Yisroel...

By: Chaya Sora Jungreis-Gertzulin “Vayigash, and he approached”. This week’s Torah portion opens with Yehuda pleading to Yosef on behalf of his youngest brother, Binyamin. Unbeknownst to...

By: Shlomo Katz The Midrash Rabbah comments on the verse (45:28), “Yisrael said, ‘How great! My son Yosef still lives!’”– Yaakov said, “How great is...

By: Chaya Sora Jungreis-Gertzulin Chanukah lights. Lights that connect us to the past, to a story that happened over 2,000 years ago, yet speaks to...

By: Rabbi Osher Jungreis In this week`s parsha we read the dramatic story of Joseph who is now Viceroy of Egypt meeting his brethren after...

By: Chaya Sora Jungreis-Gertzulin Several years ago, in my younger days, I was in a get-into-shape mode. I joined a gym, and signed up for...

By: Rabbi Raymond Beyda “…They raised their eyes and they saw, behold! — A caravan of Ishmaelites was coming from Gilead, their camels bearing spices,...

By: Chaya Sora Jungreis-Gertzulin Parshas Vayishlach opens with Yaakov Avinu and his family leaving the house of Lavan, ready to embark on a return journey...

By: Rabbi Osher Jungreis From the subtlety of Jacob`s language, we discover the character traits to which we, as Jews, should aspire–and the converse is...

By: Chaya Sora Jungreis-Gertzulin Matriarchs… def. A woman who is head of a family or a tribe. An older woman who is powerful and leads her family. This...

By: Rabbi Benjamin Hecht The story of Rachel’s theft of the terafim, the idols (1)of her father, as reported in Bereishit 31:19,2 is somewhat of...

By: Chaya Sora Jungreis-Gertzulin “Va’yetar Yitzchok l’HaShem, l’nochach ishtoh ki akoroh hee – Yitzchok entreated HaShem opposite his wife, because she was barren.” (Genesis, Bereishis...

By: Rabbi Yosef Kalatsky The Preservation of Free Choice We read at the beginning of the parsha, “And these are the offspring of Yitzchak son of...

By: Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Zt’l The sedra of Chayei Sarah focuses on two episodes, both narrated at length and in intricate detail. Abraham buys a...

By:  Chaya Sora Jungreis-Gertzulin This week’s parshah, Chayei Sarah, shares with us insights and lessons regarding shidduchim – finding a life partner. Following Sarah’s death, Avrohom...

By: Chaya Sora Jungreis-Gertzulin I love chuppahs – all chuppahs, from the majestic and flowery, to the look of simple elegance, to a plain taalis,...