Libi BaMizrach

A study of Parashat Vayishlach   We arrive at Parashat Vayishlach during a week — during an era — in which the Jewish people again find themselves standing at a frightening crossroads. Antisemitism is erupting across European capitals, college campuses, major American cities, and international institutions. Israel is slandered with the gravest accusations — “genocide,” “ethnic cleansing” — even as the world closes its eyes to the barbarism of Hamas, the complicity of large segments of Gaza’s population, and far worse atrocities taking place around the globe. In moments like these, many Jews instinctively recoil. History has trained us to do so. Perhaps if we apologize more, soften our voice, retreat from the public square, and signal enough contrition, maybe the antisemites will leave us alone. Maybe the nations will look upon us more kindly. But the Torah this week teaches the opposite. Yaakov’s Strategy — Necessary Then, Dangerous Now When Yaakov returns to face Esav, he pr...

On the eve of Yom Kippur, I sit and wonder what my dear friend, Rav Dov Fisher z”l, might be thinking.  He passed away last night, yet due to the sanctity of Yom Kippur and Shabbat, he will not be laid to rest next to his beloved Ellen in the Eretz HaChaim cemetery outside Bet Shemesh until Sunday. In this liminal space between worlds, his extraordinary soul hovers—neither fully of this world nor entirely of the next—as the world stands in judgment. From such a vantage point, Rav Dov may well be engaging his brilliant analytical mind, observing humanity with clarity and insight, as only he could. What must feel most foreign to him now is the silence. As a new member of the “Yordei Dumah”(those who descend into silence, Tehillim 115:117) club, . he can no longer share his thoughts, write his essays, or articulate his views to the many who cherished his voice. That silence may be the hardest adjustment of all. [As an aside, given that no man is entirely without fault, may this enfor...

  בס"ד It is the beginning of the seven weeks of Nechama. We typically understand Nechama to mean consolation—something we, as a Nation, desperately need after the tragic events commemorated on Tisha B’Av. This past Shabbos I was privileged to hear a talk by Rav Karmi Gross, Rosh Yeshiva of Derech Chaim , (One of the only Chareidi Yeshivot Hesder) who offered a deeper perspective. He pointed out that the Hebrew word Nechama often appears in the Torah with the meaning “to rethink” or “to reconsider.” The first instance is in Parshas Bereishis (6:5): וַיִּנָּחֶם ה' כִּי עָשָׂה אֶת הָאָדָם—Hashem reconsidered His decision to create Man. Rav Gross suggested that this period is not only about consolation, but also about introspection and reevaluation — especially the notion that perhaps I am not always right, and the other is not entirely wrong. Such humility is essential, because when we view the other side as completely mistaken, we feel no obligation to compromise or reflect. Th...

As we enter the period of the Four Parshiyot, which ushers in the Pesach season—a time when we long for Geulah (Redemption) more than any other—we begin with Parshat Shekalim. This parsha mandates that every man in Israel, rich or poor, donate exactly half a shekel to the Sanctuary. Rav Hirsch explains that a half-shekel, rather than a whole, signifies that we cannot achieve our goals alone; only by partnering with others can we fulfill our fundamental needs, such as the daily Tamid offerings, the most crucial sacrifices brought by Am Yisrael. Wags joke that the timing of Parshat Shekalim coincides with the impending Pesach expenses, urging us to get our shekels ready. But in truth, the deeper lesson is that shared responsibility for national burdens is a prerequisite for Geulah. Only when everyone participates equally and values each other's contributions can we hope to achieve redemption. This message resonated deeply as I reflected on two contrasting events this past week. The f...

The Hostage “Deal” is at the top of everyone’s mind here in Israel. As I write this essay, it is still uncertain whether the deal will go through, but everyone is torn by the prospect of a deal with ruthless Nazi-like monsters to bring some of our precious brethern home.  There is no one in Israel whose heart does not go out to the hostages and their families, who have undergone indescribable pain and suffering in the 470+ days since that accursed day of October 7, 2024. There is no one who would not be moved to tears of joy at seeing any of the hostages released and reunited with their loved ones. And yet, the hard reality is that the price currently on the table — the release of thousands of terrorists, including those who have killed, murdered, and raped; the granting of the ability for Hamas to claim victory and begin rebuilding; the withdrawal of the IDF from critically important areas; the agreement that two-thirds of the remaining hostages will not be released as part of t...

As I gaze at the lights of the Menorah on the eighth night of Chanukah, I wonder: Was Bais Hillel right? We all know about the famous machlokes (dispute) between Bais Shammai and Bais Hillel regarding the optimal way to light the Chanukah Menorah. The universal custom of the Jewish people is not just to light the bare minimum of one light per household per night but to mark the days in a special fashion. Bais Hillel, whom we follow, says that we should light in ascending order—one light on the first night, two on the second, and so on until we reach eight on the final night. Bais Shammai, however, argues the opposite—we should count down, starting with eight lights on the first night, seven on the second, and ending with one on the last night. The Gemara offers various reasons for the two opinions, but I want to focus on how the opinions are characterized. Bais Hillel hold that we should be מוסיף והולך "Mosif Veholech"— continual growth and increase,while Bais Shammai em...