Jacob
Hear, O Israel, our father, we dedicate our lives to revealing the One in all things.
After running away from his brother Esau, Jacob marries the sisters Rachel and Leah (and their maidservants) and the twelve tribes of Israel are born. Wrestling with an angel leaves Jacob limping and with a new name – Israel. When famine strikes the land of Canaan, Jacob and the family Israel descends to Egypt, where they reunite with Joseph. Jacob lives in Egypt for seventeen years. Before his passing, Jacob calls in all the tribes, our grandparents, and blesses them to continue the legacy and purpose begun with Abraham – to turn this fragmented universe into a unified home for the Divine. In a royal funeral, Jacob is accompanied back up to Israel where he is buried in Hebron with his wife and ancestors.
The Big Confrontation – Jacob & Esau Meet
Each of us must ask ourselves the question: Is my material life aligned with my spiritual one? Have I integrated what I do with who I am?
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Night Stalkers
The stranger was Esau’s guardian angel, and the battle represented the struggle between Jacob and Esau, archetypes of the two polar forces in existence which stand in perpetual battle.
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Bamidbar/Shavuot: After 3333 Years How Far Are We From Sinai?
Israel is under attack, yet again. As we stand in proximity of Shavuot, when we relive the revelation at Sinai, this may be the best time to demand accountability of the Arab/Muslim world for their actions, and to call the rest of the world to demand a response.
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A Mother’s Tears
Rachel exemplifies compassion and enables us to recognize our inherent value by virtue of the fact that every single person was created in the Divine Image.
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Jacob and Esau: The Battle between Good and Evil
Lessons on confrontation and peace: how to balance matter and spirit and merge the body and soul
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Jacob’s Ladder: A Lesson on the Ups and Downs of Life
In this week’s Torah Portion, Vayeitzei, Jacob dreamed of a ladder standing on the ground. A ladder by definition goes two days: up and down. If we risk going up, we may fall down, but if we never attempt that first step – we will never rise.
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The Inner Struggle of Good vs. Evil: Jacob and Esau Within Us
In this week’s Torah Portion, Toldot, twins are born to Rebecca and Isaac. Esau and Jacob, two brothers with very different storylines; one a warrior, one a scholar. The battle between these two brothers is alive and kicking within each of us today.
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Shavuot: The Twins – Duality & Unity
The concept of duality in matters of body and spirit are examined with respect to the opposing natures of twins Jacob and Esau.
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