Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z/l: Vayishlach The Jewish Journey

Torah Sparks

Why is Jacob the father of our people when it was Abraham who started the journey, Isaac with his supreme faith, Joseph who saved the clan from famine, Moses the great leader…Most of our image of Jacob comes from Midrash, which views the narrative in black and white. Rabbi Sacks cites Deuteronomy 4:25, “when you have children and grandchildren, and have been established in the land for a long time, you might become decadent;” namely, Israel must never forget its past.

Rabbi Rachel Barenblat: Vayishlach From Dust to Stars

Torah Sparks

Rabbi Barenblat understands the wrestling between Jacob and “the angel” as a metaphor for life’s challenges and injustices, which may leave us with permanent injuries. She cites Kedushat Levi, which describes the name Israel as “moral and ethical” as well as “a mind turned toward God.” The name change from Yaakov to Israel represents a profound internal change, from “heel” to “God consciousness

Rabbi Rachel Bearman: Bereishit

Torah Sparks

Rabbi Bearman ties parashat Bereishit to two historical female rabbis: Rabbi Sally Priesand and Rabbi Regina Jonas. Rabbi Priesand’s favorite biblical figure is Eve, “because she chose knowledge and wisdom over life in the Garden of Eden.” Rabbi Jonas is known as the first female rabbi, ordained in 1935. She was murdered in Auschwitz around October 1944. Parashat Bereishit has been designated as her yahrzeit.

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z/l: Chayei Sarah The Next Chapter

Torah Sparks

Rabbi Sacks writes of the interesting quandary Abraham finds himself in: God has promised him land three times yet here he is, bereft of Sarai, and despite his wealth, he has no ownership of land to bury her in. Despite the generosity of the Hittites in offering to give him the land, he insists on purchasing it. Furthermore, Abraham, in maintaining his distance from his neighbors was greatly respected, whereas Lot, who fully assimilated, was not respected.