In R. Jonathan Sacks’ 1999 essay for Parashat MiKetz, “Divine Providence and Human Choice” (Covenant & Conversation | Mikketz | Divine Providence and Human Choice | Rabbi Sacks | הרב זקס), he attempts to explain the paradoxical philosophical statement engendered by R. Akiva:

Avot 3:15

Everything is foreseen yet freedom of choice is granted… Continue reading →

In R. Amnon Bazak’s fourth essay for Parashat MiKetz, “VeYa’asu Kein” (Nekudat Peticha: Iyunim Ketzarim BePeshuta Shel Parashat HaShavua, [revised and expanded], Yediot Acharonot, Rishon LeTziyon, 2018, pp. 99-100), he asks a question that he claims “is one of the most difficult challenges to commentating on the bible.” After locking up the brothers for three days under the pretense of accusing them of spying under the guise of looking to borrow bread, Yosef presents a proposal that is capped with two words, normally indicating the brother’s acceptance of Yosef’s terms:

(R. Bazak cites Chizkuni as the only one of the classical commentators who addresses the problem:

Chizkuni on Beraishit 42:20

.ויעשו כן, “they did so.” They agreed with Yosef’s conditions. 

And remarks that all other instances of the phrase in the bible is interpreted in association with some action, as opposed to internal agreement, thereby making Chizkuni’s interpretation questionable when compared to other usages.) Continue reading →

In R. David Silverberg’s Sunday 2019 essay for Parashat Miketz (SALT 2019 – Parashat Miketz | Yeshivat Har Etzion), he seeks to understand a particular detail in Pharoah’s dream that is ultimately interpreted by Yosef:

Beraishit 41:3

But presently, seven other cows came up from the Nile close behind them, ugly and gaunt, and stood beside the cows on the bank of the Nile. Continue reading →

In R. Yehuda Amital’s 1983 Sicha for Miketz (–Chanuka,) “Jewish Sovereignty was Restored” (https://tinyurl.com/2y2jmxyy ) he begins by highlighting a passage from the addition to the Amida (the Silent Devotion) and Birkat HaMazon (Grace after Meals) recited over the course of  Chanuka:

(We thank You) for the miracles, for the redemption, for the mighty deeds, for the deliverances and for the wars that You performed for our fathers in those days at this season. Continue reading →

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In R. Jonathan Sacks’ 2021 essay for Parashat VaYeitze, “Time for Love, Time for Justice” (Time for Love, Time for Justice (Vayetse) | Jonathan Sacks | The Blogs (timesofisrael.com)) he focuses on the following strange verses of the Parashat HaShavua:

Beraishit 29: 30-1

30 … Indeed, he also loved Rachel, more than Leah…

31 And the LORD Saw that Leah was hated… Continue reading →

In R. Amnon Bazak’s 5783 fb essay for Parashat VaYeitze, he recalls an interpretation that R. Yehuda Amital often mentioned regarding one of the verses in the Parashat HaShavua:

Beraishit 29:11

Then Yaakov kissed Rachel, and broke into tears. Continue reading →

In Sivan Rahav-Meir’s 2000 essay for Parashat VaYetzeh (User Guide for Real Life – The Weekly Shiur – Parashat VaYeitzei 5780 ⋆ Sivan Rahav-Meir (sivanrahavmeir.com)), she discusses the forefather Yaakov, who will play a key role in the Parashiot from here until the end of the book of Beraishit. She notes in the first part of the essay that Yaakov is regarded as the father of the Jewish People, because:

1) whereas both Avraham and Yitzchak had sons who didn’t follow the path set by their fathers, all of Yaakov’s sons “remained united as the twelve tribes of a single family.” Continue reading →

In R. Moshe Kormornick’s first essay for Parashat Vayeitze (Short Vort: Short and Inspiring Divrei Tora for Every Parasha, Yom Tov, and Special Occasion, Adir Press, 2013, pp. 26-8), he expands upon a well-known alternate comment made by RaShI on a verse in the Parashat HaShavua:

Beraishit 29:11 “Then Yaakov kissed Rachel, and broke into tears.” Continue reading →

In R. David Silverberg’s Sunday 2019 essay for Parashat VaYeitze (SALT 2019 – Parashat Vayetze | Yeshivat Har Etzion) he notes that the Midrash makes what appears to be a strange comment on the verse describing Yaakov’s exclamation upon awakening from the Revelatory dream:

Beraishit 28:16

16  And Yaakov awoke out of “MiSheinato” (his sleep,) and he said: “Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.” Continue reading →