Jacob's Sojourn in Haran

Sociologists would surely have predicted that Jacob would rear confused children who would grow up with a deep hatred toward the “archaic,” “burdensome” values of their ancestors.

Is life a journey or a destination? Is this a process or a product? How can I live my current life to the fullest, while holding out hope that this is nothing but a temporary assignment?

This is the same courageous Jacob who was willing to stand up to murderous Esau and claim the blessings that were rightfully his. Even he was afraid to venture into uncharted grounds of immorality and sin; he hesitated at the thought of raising a family i...

A taste of Shazak Parsha, where the weekly Torah portion comes alive! Geared for kids... Great for adults!

Why is important to tell us all these details, a whole Torah portion of Jacob's difficulties?

The Torah relates how our forefather Jacob behaved when he dwelled with Laban. Overcoming all the challenging circumstances he found himself in, he remained loyal and true to serving G-d despite them. While this steadfastness was a clear demonstration of ...

The very fact that one can steal an idol shows the pettiness of ascribing supernatural powers to figures of stone and metal.

Jacob (Yaakov in Hebrew) was the third and final of the Jewish Patriarchs. Jacob lived in the Land of Canaan, Haran, and Egypt. Unlike Abraham and Isaac, Jacob’s entire family remained righteous—his 12 sons became the 12 tribes of Israel, the Shevatim. Th...