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Vayishlach

Your Questions
What Is a Jew?

Solving the mystery of Jewish identity . . .
Why Is the Groom Called to the Torah Before His Wedding?

Traditionally, the chatan (groom) is honored with an aliyah at the Torah on the Shabbat before his wedding. This is known as an aufruf, Yiddish for “calling up.”
What Is a Mashgiach?

A mashgiach can refer to either the agent of a kosher supervising organization or the one responsible for the performance and wellbeing of yeshivah students.
He Lied to Me, but Blames Me!

When he arrived at the appointed place, it was me there waiting for him.
Parshah
Believe In Your Child

Believe in a child and the child will prove you right. Don’t believe in a child and the child will prove you right.
The Cosmic Twins

The Kabbalists see Esau and Jacob as the embodiments of the primordial world of Tohu (“Chaos”) and our present reality-process of Tikkun (“correction”)
Story
The Golden-Ruble Sheepskin

"When you are approached by a villager who offers to sell you something, buy it at once."
Women
A Green Shirt Like Yours

I walked into the big room. Actually, I was led into the big room. Nobody just walks where they choose to in prison. I saw all the women, dressed in green shirts and green pants, sitting around. Quiet. Almost lifeless. Their souls beaten...
A Bride, a Groom and a Love That Filled the Room

Nechama and Yakov were genetically ill-matched, but deeply in love and consistently kind to one another, even under such duress. They also wanted to expand their family, but not at the risk of having another child who might die.
Jewish News
Montenegro, Set Deep in the Balkans, Gets Its First Rabbi in a Century

Chabad couple hits the ground running, tapping into the momentum of Jewish activity.
After 366 Years, the Jews of Curaçao Welcome Permanent Chabad Presence

Rabbi Refoel and Chana Silver are reinvigorating Jewish life on the island.
The Divine presence does not rest upon one who is in a state of sorrow, or in a state of torpor--only upon one who is in a state of joy
— Talmud, Shabbat 30b