ב"ה
Vayigash
By the Numbers
10 Facts About the Tenth of Tevet
Refresh your memory and learn something new about the fast of 10 Tevet with this interesting compilation.
Refresh your memory and learn something new about the fast of 10 Tevet with this interesting compilation.
10 Questions: The Jewish Books Quiz
How well do you know the Jewish library? Take this quiz and find out!
How well do you know the Jewish library? Take this quiz and find out!
Your Questions
Can I Use Vaccines Made From Fetal Tissue or Non-Kosher Animals?
We will start off with the question of non-kosher ingredients and work our way to vaccine made with fetal tissue.
We will start off with the question of non-kosher ingredients and work our way to vaccine made with fetal tissue.
Circumcision, Berzerkeley, and the Power of Five Minutes
Rabbi Chanan Feld was a towering fixture of my childhood—my friend’s father, and my father’s friend. He had the cuddly torso of a teddy bear, the magical beard of a wizard, and the twinkling eyes of a Rebbe. This is how I remember him.
Rabbi Chanan Feld was a towering fixture of my childhood—my friend’s father, and my father’s friend. He had the cuddly torso of a teddy bear, the magical beard of a wizard, and the twinkling eyes of a Rebbe. This is how I remember him.
Why I No Longer Need My Holiday Tree
As we approach the end of the calendar year, I am often asked, “Why do Soviet Jews buy evergreen trees for New Year’s?”
As we approach the end of the calendar year, I am often asked, “Why do Soviet Jews buy evergreen trees for New Year’s?”
Yes, My Name Is Karen
I'm a Jew who happens to be named Karen, not a Karen who happens to be a Jew. And if there's one thing a Jew is not supposed to be, it's a person who fits the negative stereotype of a "Karen". That's about as un-Jewish as you can get.
I'm a Jew who happens to be named Karen, not a Karen who happens to be a Jew. And if there's one thing a Jew is not supposed to be, it's a person who fits the negative stereotype of a "Karen". That's about as un-Jewish as you can get.
Parshah
Joseph Budgeted for Waste. Do You?
But in the midst of the chaos and aggravation, there is a little phrase I hold on to that helps me keep my sanity.
But in the midst of the chaos and aggravation, there is a little phrase I hold on to that helps me keep my sanity.
Why Judah Lost His Cool
A fire ignited within him, an urgent drive that granted neither time nor space to negotiate. He summoned his inner ninja and did the unthinkable: he confronted the prince of Egypt himself and demanded the release of the Jewish boy. There was nothing to discuss—it simply had to happen!
A fire ignited within him, an urgent drive that granted neither time nor space to negotiate. He summoned his inner ninja and did the unthinkable: he confronted the prince of Egypt himself and demanded the release of the Jewish boy. There was nothing to discuss—it simply had to happen!
Perseverance Vs. Perfection
The Joseph-Judah relationship and the points at which their paths converge continue throughout history. From the sale of Joseph onward, Judah and Joseph constantly interact with each other, and their relationship continues in various forms. Here, in Parshat Vayigash, their interaction is a confrontation, as the Midrash comments, “‘Then Judah went up to him’ – advancing to battle.”
The Joseph-Judah relationship and the points at which their paths converge continue throughout history. From the sale of Joseph onward, Judah and Joseph constantly interact with each other, and their relationship continues in various forms. Here, in Parshat Vayigash, their interaction is a confrontation, as the Midrash comments, “‘Then Judah went up to him’ – advancing to battle.”
Video
How Do You Beat an Evil Spirit?
A Talmudic sage was once approached by a good spirit which guarded the local river. It told the sage that an unholy spirit intended to wrest control of the river, and make trouble for the Jews who came to use it. The good spirit instructed the sage: “Gather all the local Jews. When the evil spirit approaches, I will alert you. All the assembled should then stand in its path and shout: ‘Didan Notzach – Victory is ours!’” When the Jews did this a drop of blood appeared on the face of the water, illustrating their victory over the evil spirit.
A Talmudic sage was once approached by a good spirit which guarded the local river. It told the sage that an unholy spirit intended to wrest control of the river, and make trouble for the Jews who came to use it. The good spirit instructed the sage: “Gather all the local Jews. When the evil spirit approaches, I will alert you. All the assembled should then stand in its path and shout: ‘Didan Notzach – Victory is ours!’” When the Jews did this a drop of blood appeared on the face of the water, illustrating their victory over the evil spirit.
Animated Kabbalah #4: The Infinite Flow
The metaphor of a ray of light in its source, the sun, elucidates the concept of ‘bittul’—where everything is subsumed in the Divine source.
The metaphor of a ray of light in its source, the sun, elucidates the concept of ‘bittul’—where everything is subsumed in the Divine source.
Jewish News
Story
The Group of 12 vs. the Russian Poet
This group of 12 worked seamlessly together, transmitting information back to the Rebbe, and quite a few evil decrees were subverted.
This group of 12 worked seamlessly together, transmitting information back to the Rebbe, and quite a few evil decrees were subverted.
Shabbat Law of the Week
Tofair - Sewing
Sewing is forbidden on Shabbat. This includes attaching two different items using any medium which firmly holds them together, like gluing, stapling, or pinning.
Sewing is forbidden on Shabbat. This includes attaching two different items using any medium which firmly holds them together, like gluing, stapling, or pinning.
Letter of the Rebbe
The Soul's Journey
Whatever the direct cause of the separation of the soul from the body, whether a fatal accident or a fatal illness, it could affect only any of the vital organs of the physical body, but could in no way affect the spiritual soul.
Whatever the direct cause of the separation of the soul from the body, whether a fatal accident or a fatal illness, it could affect only any of the vital organs of the physical body, but could in no way affect the spiritual soul.
Lifestyle
"When you lend money to any of My people, you shall not act toward him as a creditor..." Do not show yourself constantly to him... Do not press him for payment when you know that he is unable to pay.
— Exodus 22:24; Rashi's commentary, ibid.
Print Magazine
More than 1,700 years in advance, the author of the Zohar predicted a revolution of science and technology around the year 1840. There he describes the fountains of wisdom bursting forth from the ground and flooding the earth—all in preparation for an era when the world shall be filled with wisdom and knowledge of the One...
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