16 Lessons
Parashat Hashavua: A Yeshiva and a Community Go Together
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | kislev 5785
Monotheism Even in Ancient Egypt!
Before Yaakov Avinu (Patriarch Jacob) leaves the Holy Land for the last time and descends to Egypt with his family, G-d appears to him "in the visions of the night [and says to him]: Yaakov, Yaakov… I am the Lord, the G-d of your father; do not fear to descend to Egypt, for I will make you a great nation there. I will descend with you to Egypt, and I will certainly raise you up, and Yosef will place his hand on your eyes" (B'reshit 46,2-4). The final phrase in that verse is somewhat enigmatic, and has been explained in various ways...
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Tevet 6 5783
The Hidden Sale
Before revealing his identity, Yosef commanded all others to leave the room (ibid. 45:1). Why was this important to him?
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Tevet 3 5782
More on the Passage of Time
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Tevet 8 5781
Service in the Israeli Army and Lineage – part I
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Tevet 3 5780
One Dream at a Time?
We continue to discuss Yosef’s dream(s). We saw that Yosef’s attempt to appease his brothers by means of sharing his dream backfired. “His brothers said to him: ‘Will you be king over us, or will you rule over us?’ They continued to hate him because of his dreams and his words” (Bereishit 37:8).
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Tevet 5 5779
“Send Everyone Away” – Unity or Division?
Before Yosef revealed his identity to his brothers, he commanded those around him: “Send out every man from before me” (Bereishit 45:1). This exact expression is found in another place in Tanach – when Amnon was preparing to inappropriately (to speak very mildly) interact with his half-sister Tamar (Shmuel II, 13:9). What is the connection between Yosef and Yaakov’s other sons, and Amnon ben Achinoam and Tamar bat Maacha, the children of David? It can be demonstrated that Shmuel II, 13 serves as a mirror image of the story of Yosef and his brothers, as we will discuss in Tzofnat Shmuel. Let us start with a limited focus.
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Tevet 4 5778
More on MtDNA
Last week we surveyed the scientific background of how mtDNA can be used to indicate a matrilineal descent from the Jewish women from whom a large part of Ashkenazi Jewry descends. This week we want to outline the halachic analysis on the extent to which this can be a tool in trying to rule on the Jewish status of a person who lacks full proof without it.
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Tevet 2 5777
“Sending Everyone Out”
Before Yosef revealed his identity to his brothers, he commanded the members of his court: “Send everyone out from before me” (Bereishit 45:1). We will try to explain why it was so important to Yosef to be alone with his brothers. The midrash (Sechel Tov, Bereishit 45) explains that this was done for the needs of modesty. As Yosef was going to prove his identity by showing he was circumcised, he did not want his assistants to see what was not necessary for them to see.
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Tevet 5 5776
The Fight Against Assimilation
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | 5772
The Be All for Our Redemption
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | 5770
Don’t Underestimate the Religious Establishment
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | 3 tevet 5769
Enjoy the Utopia Where and When you Can
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | 9 Tevet 5767
Growing Wiser With Age
Parashat Vayigash
Parashat Vayigash
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | 7 Tevet 5766
Three Heads Are Better than One
Parashat Vayigash
Parashat Vayigash
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | 6 Tevet 5765