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Messages on Genesis

The creation of the world. The patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jacob and his sons go down to Egypt. Jacob blesses his sons before his death.

Rabbi O’s Weekly: Vayashev (Genesis 37-40)

How Do You Wrap Your Chanukah Gifts?Here’s a rarely discussed Chanukah topic: How should one give a Chanukah present? Sometimes it’s sufficient to simply ship it with an attached note but usually we have to wrap it and hand deliver it. A group of researchers (https://theconversation.com/the-science-of-gift-wrapping-explains-why-sloppy-is-better-128506) set out to find out what impact wrapping has on a recipient’s appreciation […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Chaye Sara (Genesis 23:1-25:18)

Kindness Explained This week’s Parsha begins with the sad tiding of Sara’s death. Abraham goes through a complicated negotiation in order to purchase a burial spot for her as well as delivering a eulogy. The Midrash applies a verse to these kind deeds: He who pursues charity and kindness will find life, charity, and honor. (Proverbs 21:21). […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Vayeira (Genesis 18:22)

  Don’t Write a Check, Make the TrekQuestion: Who is the oldest person in the Bible to have been circumcised and how old was he? Answer: Abraham was 99 years old when he circumcised himself. Even though he was in a lot of pain, he was distressed that no visitors were coming his way. Finally, […]

  Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Vayeira (Genesis 18:22) Don’t Write a Check, Make the TrekQuestion: Who is the oldest person in the Bible to have been circumcised and how old was he? Answer: Abraham was 99 years old when he circumcised himself. Even though he was in a lot of pain, he was distressed that no visitors […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha Lech Lecha (Genesis 12-17)

Are You Trading Your Happiness? We don’t need modern research to tell us that money can’t buy happiness, yet when an article comes out that provides concrete data or insights into the relationship between money and happiness, it is worthwhile to pay attention. Four years ago, Arthur Brooks wrote in an article documenting that while consumption has […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Noach (Genesis 6:9-11:32)

What Does Your Ark Look Like? These are the offspring of Noah; Noah as a righteous man, perfect in his generation…(Gen. 6:9) Was Noah truly righteous OR was he righteous only in his generation? If he had lived in the generation of Abraham, he would not have been considered anything of significance. According to this explanation, […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Breishis (Genesis 1-6:8)

Shine Your Light: Reaction to the Tragedies in IsraelMost years the Haftorah this week contains the famous verse that the Jewish people will be a light to the nations (Isaiah 42:6). The light we have given the world has been made apparent due to the tragic events of this past week. If you want to get an indication […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Breishis (Genesis 1-6:8)

Shine Your Light: Reaction to the Tragedies in Israel Most years the Haftorah this week contains the famous verse that the Jewish people will be a light to the nations (Isaiah 42:6). The light we have given the world has been made apparent due to the tragic events of this past week. If you want to get an […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Mikeitz (Genesis 41:1-44:17) Learning to Recognize the Right People

[While Joseph is still in prison, Pharaoh dreams of cows and sheaves and demands that someone interprets his dreams. The wine steward remembered Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams, mentioned it to Pharaoh, and Joseph was freed and brought before Pharaoh, who acknowledges the truth of Joseph’s interpretation (about the impending famine) and raises Joseph to be […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Vayeshaiv (Genesis 37-40)The Ability to Confront

…Joseph at the age of seventeen years was a shepherd with his brothers…and Joseph brought back evil reports about them to their father (Jacob). (37:2)This week’s Parsha tells the story of one of the early events that led to the Jewish people’s bondage in Egypt. Joseph spoke lashon hara (slander; evil reports) to his father about his brothers. This led to a […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Toldos (Genesis 25:19-28:9) 5783-2022

Cold as Ice Isaac was Abraham’s successor but who would take over after Isaac? Two possibilities: Jacob or Esau? Their mother (Rebecca) knew that Jacob was the rightful heir and she masterminded a scheme. Esau didn’t take his loss well and jealously pursued his brother. But aside from that, Jacob’s life was wrought with misfortune, […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Vayechi (Genesis 47:28-50:26)

Discovering Your Inner Youth It is the end of an era. Jacob has finally been reunited with his beloved Joseph and he lives the final seventeen years of his life in peace, surrounded by children and grandchildren. Joseph had two sons in Egypt and now Jacob, soon to die, talks to Joseph about them. Now, […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Vayigash (Genesis 44:18-47:27)Stop Sleeping and Start DreamingI am Joseph; is my father still alive? (Genesis 45:3)

I am Joseph; is my father still alive? (Genesis 45:3)These words are the climax of one of the Torah’s most dramatic stories. Joseph, the second most powerful person in Egypt, reveals his identity to his unsuspecting brothers. Question:  Why did he wait 22 years before telling his father (Jacob) that he was safe and thriving in […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Mikeitz (Genesis 41:1-44:17) Chanukah and Your Ability to Be A Role Model

 Pharaoh had two disturbing dreams, neither of which could be explained by anyone in his court. Pharaoh’s wine steward had seen Joseph’s ability to explain dreams when the two were cell mates in prison. He suggested that Joseph, a young Hebrew slave, might be able to explain Pharaoh’s disturbing dreams. Desperate for a suitable interpretation, […]

Rabbi O’s Weekly Parsha: Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4-36:43)

How to Deal with Anti-Semitic Supermodels (Introduction: After living with his deceitful father-in-law for twenty years, Jacob decided to depart with his family. He was informed that his brother—Esav—was on route with 400 to kill him.) If you were Jacob, what would you do when hearing about the impending danger? He did three things.  1) He […]