Parashat Beshalach: Testing in the Desert by Yaakov Bieler

The test of “Mara”.
Immediately following the exodus from Egypt and the splitting of the Sea of Reeds, the first opportunity for the freshly minted “Jewish people” to interrelate with HaShem and His Prophet Moshe, was at Mara (Shemot 15:22-27). It was here that in response to the people’s request for potable water, HaShem taught Moshe [...]

Does it Take a Miracle to See a Former Enemy in a Favorable Light? by Yaakov Bieler

Prior to their departure from Egypt, it would appear that the Jews literally “borrowed” a great many precious objects from the Egyptians.
                Part of the “Brit Bein HaBetarim” (the Covenant between the Pieces) (Beraishit 15:9-21) is the Divine Promise that when the Jews finally are redeemed from the servitude and oppression that they will [...]

Parashat Shemot: Coming of Age and Searching for Oneself by Yaakov Bieler

Coming of Age and Searching for Oneself
Going outside one’s immediate family as part of the process of identity formation.
The seminal event in Moshe’s coming of age, the action that simultaneously reveals to us his true essential nature, as well as the types of actions that he is destined to undertake throughout his life, appears in [...]

Parashat VaYechi: Yoseph’s Post-Adolescent Righteousness is Met with Parental Skepticism by Yaakov Bieler

Yoseph’s righteousness not only during adolescence, but also beyond.
                In the essay for Parshat VaYeshev, “A Powerful Adolescent Commitment to Righteousness”,[1] Yoseph’s special qualities that caused ChaZaL to categorize him as a “Tzaddik” already at the relatively tender age of seventeen were discussed. His repeated adherence to a powerful idealism that precipitated certain exceedingly unpopular [...]

Parashat VaYigash: Goshen as Part of Yosef’s Master Plan by Yaakov Bieler

Yosef shows himself to be a brilliant strategist, even when it comes to planning a place for his family to live when they come to Egypt.
Yosef, the brilliant administrator who possesses a gift for management that is glaringly apparent to all with whom he comes into contact, first manifesting itself in his being placed in [...]

Parashat Miketz: Yosef’s Egyptian Makeover by Yaakov Bieler

The problem entailed in Pharoah’s making Yosef a ruler over the Egyptians
Taking an individual who comes from humble beginnings as well as from a despised national group and transforming him into someone who others will perceive as capable of leading and ruling, is the challenge confronting Pharoah vis-à-vis Yosef in Parashat Miketz.[2]
5) and they called [...]

Parashat VaYeishev: A Powerful Adolescent Commitment to Righteousness by Yaakov Bieler

The institution of reading the Haftara
Traditionally, the Haftora for Parshat VaYeshev is taken from chapters 2 and 3 of the book of Amos.[1] While the historical origin for reading the Haftarot as part of the Shabbat, Yom Tov and fast day services is not certain, the Avudharam speculates that this practice was begun during the [...]

Parashat Va-Yishlach: Devora – A Messenger Ignored in Life, but Mourned in Death?

The wrenching events of Parashat VaYishlach
Each of the Parshiot of Beraishit focuses upon specific individuals and the fateful choices that they make which have ultimately contributed to the evolution of the Jewish people. Parashat VaYishlach is no different in this regard, and over the course of the Parasha (Beraishit 32:3-36:43), we empathize with Yaakov’s [...]

Parashat Va-Yetze: Holy Places as Resources for Leading Spiritual Lives by Yaakov Bieler

Yaakov believes that the location where he experienced his powerful dream was deliberately Chosen by God.
Yaakov, upon awaking from his prophetic dream at the outset of Parashat VaYetze (Beraishit 28:12-15), realizes HaShem’s Closeness to him, and as a result is beset by a powerful emotion.
Beraishit 28:16-17
…And he said, ‘Surely God is in this place, I [...]

Parashat Vayera: You Can Take Her Out of Sodom by Yaakov Bieler

Lot’s wife meets an unpleasant end.
Just prior to the destruction of the cities Sodom and Amora (Beraishit 19:24-25), Lot, Avraham’s nephew (see 11:31), and at least a portion of his family[1] manage to escape. However, one member of the group that originally leaves Sodom, never reaches safety, and instead, becomes a perpetual monument[2] to the [...]

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