Praying for the Unknown by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Yakov felt a special commonality with his son, Yosef. In this week’s parsha, he grants Yosef a special portion, the city of Shechem. Yakov declares, “I grant you a portion more than the others, a portion which I acquired through my prayers.” Why does Yakov take credit more »
Getting the Green-Back by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Pharoh was excited. The identity of his admired viceroy was finally discovered. Yosef’s family was from a very different culture. They had different customs, a different outlook on life, and a totally different religion. Yet, the discovery of his family was momentous nonetheless. Pharoh invited Yosef’s family to more »
If only I had known… Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Yosef, it appeared, was in deep trouble. Even as he approached his brothers, they were planning to eliminate him. Suddenly, the voice of Reuven, the eldest brother, was heard. “We dare not harm him directly,” he said. “Instead let us throw him in a pit.” The Torah more »
To Be a Cream Cheese Jew by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The story of Yakov and Esav is an instructive one. Two brothers, raised in the same home by righteous parents, turned out so differently. Yakov becomes the father of the Jewish people, a nation that would gift the world the concepts of monotheism, self-control, and more »
“Where is Sarah, your wife?” by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine The angels came to Avraham on a mission. They were to inform Avraham that he and Sarah would have the child of their dreams. Avraham and Sarah didn’t know that the guests were angels, and they served them food in a most generous way. After eating, more »
What did the neighbors say? by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Our father Avraham was seventy-five when G-d gave him the directive to travel to what would become the land of Israel. Until then, he was doing his best to live and teach according to his beliefs in an Almighty G-d. Surely, Avraham had made some local more »
Unified in Diversity by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Parshas Vayishlach begins with a description of how Yakov prepared for battle. The Torah relates that, as Esav approached him, Yakov was truly afraid that a major battle would erupt. Yakov divided the people that were with him into two camps, and said, “If Esav manages to be more »
Circular Reasoning by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Esav was a remarkable personality. He was the son of Yitzchok and Rivkah, and the brother of Yakov. The medrash says that for the first 15 years of their lives both Yakov and Esav went to yeshiva. It was only after those first 15 years that Esav chose a more »
Watering the Eternal Ark by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Noach built a Teiva and he used it well. For just over a year he, his family, and the animals of the world stayed on this Ark, and through it were protected from the flood. Once the Ark had served its purpose, however, it was discarded. Let more »
Great Discoveries by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine One of the most startling stories ever is the story that occurred just after creation, the story of mankind eating from the fruit of the forbidden tree. The Torah relates (Bireishis 2:25) that, before the sin, mankind saw nothing wrong with going unclothed. After the sin, man says, “I more »