Living through the Parshah

The Power of Feminine Beauty—and How to Protect It

By Rochel Holzkenner

G‑d created Adam and Eve unclothed, and they walked around the Garden of Eden . . . naked. If public nudity was fine with G‑d, why does the Torah tell us to be modest, to cover up, to subdue our natural allure? What changed?

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Are You a Martyr?

By Rochel Holzkenner

Jewish women (myself included) are notorious for advertising their martyrdom...

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Asher’s Beautiful Daughters

By Rochel Holzkenner

People of the highest stature, high priests, looked for a wife from the daughters of Asher . . . Which is odd, if you think about it. Why would such a holy man pursue a wife from a neighboring tribe just because she was beautiful?

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G‑d’s Secret Service

By Rochel Holzkenner

Why didn’t Jacob take the time to bury his beloved wife in the Cave of Machpelah?

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Is Anyone Too Good to Die?

Jacob’s Immortal Leadership

By Rochel Holzkenner

Jews don’t glorify death, even though we believe that there is glory after death. Instead, Jews celebrate life. So, long after someone dies, we continue to celebrate his or her life. Even the Torah’s description of death can be viewed as a description of life. Especially the death of Jacob.

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