Blessings

Found 12 Search results

1. Yaakov's Struggle and Confrontation

   Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 35 minutes

   Yaakov is left alone and struggles with a mysterious figure. Why are they struggling and why does Yaakov insist on receiving a blessing from this stranger? What motivates Yaakov to meet Esav, and why does God insist on this meeting? Blessedness stems from struggles. The struggle, and the meeting with Esav, is a manifestation of Yaakov’s character transformation and of his sincere search for forgiveness.

2. Redemption, Acquisitions, and Blessings

   Dr. Yael Ziegler

   The Go'el refuses to redeem, leading to his abrupt removal from the story. The term Go'el now refers to Boaz. The use of the term "kana" in relation to marrying Ruth parallels the term for redemption, and relates to God's redemption in the Exodus. This lesson examines the poetic structure and content of the people's blessing to Boaz.

3. Naomi's Child: The Movement toward Kingship

   Dr. Yael Ziegler

   In Ruth and Naomi's struggle for food and progeny, God gives both through his agent Boaz. The story is filled throughout with blessings symbolizing the end of the accursed era of the Judges and the ushering in of the blessed Davidic dynasty. Boaz and Ruth disappear from the narrative leaving only Naomi's character.

4. Menasheh and Ephraim: Who Was Being Blessed?

   Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom

   תאריך פרסום: תשע"ה | |

   This shiur analyzes Yaakov's vision and strategy through the lens of the penultimate blessing scene in Beresheet, drawing on parallels with other scenes of blessings or instructions involving the forefathers. Yaakov wants to create a symbiosis such that there are two counterbalancing forces within the family.

5. A Blessing of Turning to God

   Rabbi David Silverberg

6. Kan Tzipor & Yaakov's Deception of Esav

   Rabbi David Fohrman

   תאריך פרסום: תשע"ו | |

   Can the Torah create an immersive, three-dimensional experience? We argue that yes, it does and look at certain methodology of doing so. We will see how one verse can serve as a lens and a larger text will be the screen. The "lens" in this shiur is the mitzva about the mother bird and her nest. We will then view the story of Yaakov and Esav's meeting in Parashat VaYishlach through the lens of that verse about the mother bird. Why did Yaakov send messengers to Esav, when he had no evidence that Esav's anger had abated? Who is the "mother bird" in this story? Who "sends the mother bird away?" What role do Rivka's instructions to Yaakov play here?

7. Yaakov's Blessing for Esav

   Rabbi David Silverberg

8. Yaakov's Blessing to Pharaoh - the Nile?

   Rabbi David Silverberg

9. Parashat Devarim and the Nature of Blessing

   Rabbi Shlomo Dov Rosen

10. Eikev: Peshat and Derash of Birkat HaMazon

    Rabbi David Silverberg

11. Beha'alotecha: The Torah's Guide To Parental Love

    Rabbi David Fohrman |

    In this week's parsha video, Rabbi Fohrman delves deeper into the Priestly Blessing and its relevant lessons, challenging us to see the path of parental love laid out in the Torah.

     

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12. Toldot: A Conversation For the Ages

    Rabbi David Fohrman |

    In Parshat Toldot, we are shown a conversation between father and son in which the father's spiritual heritage is passed down. We had seen this conversation between Abraham and Isaac; however, now, we see similar textual and thematic parallels in conversations between Isaac and both Esau and Jacob. In this video, we will explore these parallels and ask, what do they teach us about the nature of heritage?

     

     

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