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Vayechi (And He (Jacob) Lived) – Genesis 47:28 – 50:26

Portion Vayechi is the last portion of the book of Genesis. It is also Shmuel’s 40th birthday this week! Shmuel digs into his bar mitzvah portion reflecting on the famed Zionist Max Nordau, the burial place of Rachel, and three important words from Jeremiah. Join Shmuel for portion Vayechi!

Ordinary Life in The Midst of War

What is it like to live an ordinary life, to follow routine, in the midst of a war? For most of us in Israel, we do not have the luxury to imagine the answer to that question: we are living it.

VaYigash (And He (Judah) Approached) – Genesis 44:18 – 47:27

There’s been a whole week to await the completion of the conversation between Jospeh and his brothers. Why did the portion stop in the middle of this exciting scene?

This portion opens with a startling statement from Joseph declaring that he was sent to Egypt not by his brothers but by G-d. Joseph has been beset by misfortunes but is filled with recognition that he was an instrument for G-d all along.