ב"ה
Vayechi
By the Numbers
Reuben in the Bible
The High Priest wore a breastplate with 12 precious stones, one for each of the tribes. The first stone, etched with Reuben’s name, was the red ruby.
The High Priest wore a breastplate with 12 precious stones, one for each of the tribes. The first stone, etched with Reuben’s name, was the red ruby.
10 Questions: Take the Jewish Warriors Quiz
Do you know who led the battle against Amalek? How about the war against Ammon?
Do you know who led the battle against Amalek? How about the war against Ammon?
Your Questions
What Is the Meaning of Israel?
The homeland of the Jews (also called Israelites) is Israel, which means literally, “One who struggles with G‑d.”
The homeland of the Jews (also called Israelites) is Israel, which means literally, “One who struggles with G‑d.”
Why Is Challah Braided?
The long-standing Jewish custom is for Shabbat breads to be braided. Here's why.
The long-standing Jewish custom is for Shabbat breads to be braided. Here's why.
Voices
Life Lessons From Three Broken Blue Bowls
Each of the shattered bowls reminds me that G‑d is the only constant in our lives, there when we need His loving care to remake us in a new and better way.
Each of the shattered bowls reminds me that G‑d is the only constant in our lives, there when we need His loving care to remake us in a new and better way.
Story
Tied to Tradition
Years passed, and one day a well-heeled gentleman knocked on the door of the Avtzon home. Taking a wad of cash out of his pocket, he offered it to the rabbi, “This is for you, and I want to beg your forgiveness.”
Years passed, and one day a well-heeled gentleman knocked on the door of the Avtzon home. Taking a wad of cash out of his pocket, he offered it to the rabbi, “This is for you, and I want to beg your forgiveness.”
The Drunk and the Driver
The father frequently staggered around in public, even collapsing in a drunken heap in the gutter. He became the object of mockery and ridicule.
The father frequently staggered around in public, even collapsing in a drunken heap in the gutter. He became the object of mockery and ridicule.
Parshah
Close Your Eyes: Things Aren’t as They Seem
It is natural to become enveloped by the minutiae of our challenges. Awareness of the greater picture of which we are all a part, however, is essential.
It is natural to become enveloped by the minutiae of our challenges. Awareness of the greater picture of which we are all a part, however, is essential.
What Does It Mean to Be a True Leader?
A virtuous person thinks in terms of duties and responsibilities. What is my role? What is my obligation? But a leader thinks in terms of needs. What are the needs of this person? This organization? This population?
A virtuous person thinks in terms of duties and responsibilities. What is my role? What is my obligation? But a leader thinks in terms of needs. What are the needs of this person? This organization? This population?
Don’t Write the Obituary Just Yet!
The Jewish People never die. We almost die on a regular basis. But do we die? Will we? Can we? Never!
The Jewish People never die. We almost die on a regular basis. But do we die? Will we? Can we? Never!
For Your Vayechi Study Group (PDF)
This weekly study packet is part of theJewishwoman.org “Be a Leader” initiative. Print it out and learn it with your study group.
This weekly study packet is part of theJewishwoman.org “Be a Leader” initiative. Print it out and learn it with your study group.
On the Calendar
Tuesday Is Asarah B'Tevet Fast
On Asarah B'Tevet, the 10th day of the Jewish month of Tevet, in the year 3336 from Creation (425 BCE), the armies of the Babylonian emperor Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem. Asarah B'Tevet is observed as a day of fasting, mourning and repentance.
On Asarah B'Tevet, the 10th day of the Jewish month of Tevet, in the year 3336 from Creation (425 BCE), the armies of the Babylonian emperor Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem. Asarah B'Tevet is observed as a day of fasting, mourning and repentance.
Lifestyle
The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the student of the law from between his feet, until Shiloh [=Moshiach] comes, and to him will be a gathering of peoples.
— Genesis 49:10
Print Magazine
G‑d is not just big—He is infinite.
If He were only big, then those things that are small would be further from Him, and those things that are big would be closer.
But to the Infinite, big and small, far and near are irrelevant terms.
Nothing is too small for His concern; no place is too far that He cannot be found ...
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