Parshah Columnists - Vayeshev

There’s more to this episode than meets the eye.

No matter how bleak reality may seem, darkness cannot exist alongside light – even just the tiniest of flames

You can take the lead of your own life and start writing better scripts. It’s not easy, but it’s doable.

Attaining a state of coherence gives us more than a happy brain. It is fundamental to our well-being and ability to cope with the stressors and challenges of life.

The royal bar-tender, who brings the liquid that wets a parched throat, represents the linkage of spiritual "water" (the source of mind) and "fire" (the source of emotions)

Is privacy going extinct in the digital age? It seems none of our personal data can be considered safe anymore.

Even the greatest judge can make a gross misjudgement if humility is lacking. (“Parsha Perks” with Dr Michael Chighel | Vayeshev)

The Talmud states, “For the wicked, sleep is good for them and good for the world, but for the righteous, it is bad for them and bad for the world.” There is no rest for the righteous. When a tzaddik wants to rest, God does not let him, as if to say that the lack of tranquility is an essential part of being a tzaddik.

What’s true in finances is true in religious life, and well, life in general: Sometimes, you have to blow things up and do something radically different from what you’ve been doing until now.

What was the secret to Joseph's success? How did he remain focused, optimistic and upbeat despite all the difficulties that he had to endure?

Judah, Tamar, and the inner meaning of levirate marriage.

We all dream of enjoying a peaceful and serene life. But can too much serenity lead to senility?

Determined as he was, on this occasion Joseph was beginning to falter. What saved him? The classical image of the sage with the long white beard . . .

On the table, I noticed a highly unusual item. Alongside the delicious food and beautiful dishes was a live walkie-talkie.

There are laws in Judaism about the limits of grief – shiva, sheloshim, a year. There is no such thing as a bereavement for which grief is endless. And yet Jacob refuses to be comforted.

Sexuality matters to Judaism, not because it is puritanical but because it represents the love that brings new life into the world.

Spiritually, one never retires and one never grows old

Many times we get caught up in our own world of self perfection and refinement. A lesson that we learn from what Reuben did not do in this week’s Parsha.

It is one of the ironies of life that in order to swing to the greatest height, it is necessary to plunge to the lowest point. Often there’s a “descent” in order to “rise”—a negative situation before the positive.

Why does the verse in these weeks Torah portion say "coming up to Timna," it seems superfluous? A timeless lesson in our daily struggle to be good.

At this point, Joseph could have withdrawn into himself, as many prisoners do, allowing thoughts of anger and victimization to consume him. He had every right to be a bitter man . . .

The story is told of a fellow who dreamt that there was a treasure to be found under a bridge in a distant city...

There is no glory in flirting with danger.

Joseph was in tune with another person’s pain, and was therefore capable of doing that one small act of goodness and kindness. Little did he know that it would change the world.

Imprisonment is a fate worse than death, out of which the truly righteous squeeze an elixir more potent than life

“Is it not enough for the righteous what is prepared for them in the World to Come,” the Midrash declares, “that they also ask for a tranquil life in this world?” But why not? Does G‑d have a limited quantity of tranquility to mete out?

The alcoholic or addict in recovery knows all too well the troubles of an overactive mind. Our mental mills are fast and frenetic. We, therefore, endeavor to maintain constant vigilance over our thoughts...

What does Joseph have to do with Chanukah? What lesson can we take from Joseph and Chanukah to help us deal with difficult times?

Working on yourself is not only a personal endeavor, but it also has its effect on your surroundings and acquaintances.