Sibling Rivalry There has been massive debate in Anglo Jewry in the past few weeks as to whether we should take a unified stance in our support of the state of Israel or whether we should openly air our differences. It’s been a noisy debate, a shrill debate, but it’s the wrong debate, and it […]
Divine Providence and Human Choice Joseph is languishing in prison. Then, at the beginning of this week’s sedra, a sequence of events takes place, leading to the most rapid, radical change of fortune in the Bible. Pharaoh has two dreams that trouble his spirit. None of his priestly retinue can decode the dreams in a […]
Man Proposes, G-d Disposes Rarely in the Torah is a sedra break more strategically placed. Last week’s sedra ends with Joseph’s bid for freedom. Having correctly interpreted the chief steward’s dream – that in three days he would be restored to his position – Joseph pleads with him: When all goes well with you, remember […]
Faith, Universal and Particular Pharaoh has two dreams, one about seven lean cows eating seven fat ones, another about seven scorched ears of corn devouring seven healthy ones. He senses their significance and asks his sages to interpret them. None can. His cup bearer then remembers the young man he met in prison who was […]
Disguise Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. Joseph is now the ruler of Egypt. The famine he predicted has come to pass. It extends beyond Egypt to the land of Canaan. Seeking to buy food, Joseph’s brothers make the journey to Egypt. They arrive at the palace of the man in […]
