Torah Commentary

Jacob blessed his sons, not only according to each of their characters, but also with a unique piece of himself.

A flood destroys all living creatures, aside from Noah, his family and the animals in their ark.

Living after the Civil Rights Movement, we, like the children of Jacob, have the opportunity to carry the ideals of previous generations into the future.

Fear paralyzes us, rendering us incapable of addressing our most pressing problems.

Both Jacob and Joseph understood the importance of imbuing their descendants with a commitment to the Land of Israel.

In naming his sons, Joseph communicates his thoughts on living in Egypt, alone and distant from his family.

God's presence at Jacob's deathbed teaches us that our reactions to the situations in which we find ourselves determine our spiritual perceptions.

Joseph's actions in dealing with the famine challenge us to strive for a delicate balance of power and compassion.

The Joseph story provides us with a domestic model for our national ability to move through reconciliation to solidarity.

By personally handing out rations, Joseph established a human connection and involvement with those for whom he provided.