17 Lessons
Parashat Hashavua: 137 and the Power of Uncertainty
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Cheshvan 5786
Parashat Hashavua: Tanach is One Book Made of Pieces that Must Be Connected
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Cheshvan 5785
On Clouds and Mist
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Cheshvan 22 5781
Chevron or Yerushalayim?
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Cheshvan 20 5780
Where Was Avraham Born?
When Avraham sent his servant to find a wife for Yitzchak, he instructed him to find her in “my land and my birthplace (moladty)” (Bereishit 24:4). While we know the servant went to Aram Naharayim, where Avraham’s brother Nachor lived, there is actually a dispute among commentaries as to where Avraham came from
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Cheshvan 23 5779
On Ethics, Education of Children, and Inter-Personal Relations
Our parasha deals primarily with Yitzchak, the son or Avraham and Sarah, whose education was at the top of Sarah’s interest. Many parents, in fact, leave no stone unturned to ensure that their children have excellent educations. They pay for good schools, look for a good atmosphere, and try to protect them from dangers of all sorts. For better or for worse, though, the most important factor in their success is the personal example the parents set.
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Cheshvan 20 5777
Kohanim and Power
Our matriarch Sarah’s name (literally and roughly, female officer) hints that she was far more than an excellent wife and mother; she was a leader in her own right. The other name attributed to her, Yiska (see Bereishit 11:29 with Rashi), may also be connected to the word nesicha (princess). However, this week we want to focus on a different type of position of power, as seen in the haftara.
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Cheshvan 21 5776
With a Life Like That, Who Needs …
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | 5774
Homeland Purification
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | 5773
There is Teshuva
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | 5772
Where’s the Beef?
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | 5771
The People’s Choice
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | 24 Cheshvan 5769
The Flaws of Flawlessness
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Monday, 17 Cheshvan 5768
Behind Every Great Patriarch is a Great Matriarch
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | 5765
You Are a Prince of G-d in our Midst
Parashat Chayei Sara
Parashat Chayei Sara
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Chayei Sara 5766
Presents That Keep the Family Going
Parashat Chayei Sara
This he did by sending away his sons from the concubines to a foreign land during his lifetime, after giving them presents; Yehoshafat, King of Yehuda also gave presents (matanot) to his sons; What is the diffrence between the presents?
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | 5764