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 »
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 »
The Pig and Esav, A Perek Shirah Perspective by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Pork is anathema to the Jew. Even those who do not diligently observe Kosher will steer clear of products that come from a pig. What is it about the pig that creates such revulsion among our people? The Medrash tells us that the more »
On the path of life… by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine “Behold I am going to die. Of what use is the firstborn status to me?” With these words Esav declared that his path of life was not the same as Yakov’s. What exactly was the firstborn status, and why did Esav see no use for it? more »
Rabbi Mordechai Rhine Rivka was finally pregnant. After years of prayer- and people wondering if indeed the legacy of Avraham would have a future- she was finally bearing a child. Yet Rivka was confused. When she passed a place of Torah- type/ moral study, the child became very excited as if he wanted to come more »