Rabbi | Adath Israel

Yitro: The many doors in

Yitro: Summary – The name of the Parshah, “Yitro,” means “Jethro”, and this is the name of Moshe’s father-in-law. He comes from Midian to the Israelite camp, bringing with him Moshe’s wife and two sons. Yitro advises Moshe to appoint a...

Bo – Darkness and communal light

Summary: The name of the Parshah, “Bo,” means “Come [to Pharaoh]”. This is God commanding Moshe to “come to Pharaoh” and tell him of the next set of plagues, the last three of the Ten Plagues: a swarm of locusts devours all the leftover crops...

Va’era – the power of hakarat hatov

Vaera – “Va’era,” means “and I appeared”. This is God revealing Godself to Moses, making a promise of redemption using four verbs that are the source for the four cups on Pesach. The parsha continues with 7 of the 10 plagues, Moshe and...

Vayigash – Forgiveness

Parshat Vayigash Summary: Vayigash,” means “And he approached”. This is Yehudah approaching Yosef to plead for the release of Binyamin, offering himself as a slave to the Egyptian ruler in Binyamin’s stead. When he sees this demonstration of loyalty...