Isaac the meek (Genesis 25:19-28:9) The hero of this week portion is Isaac. Isaac is a very interesting figure. In contrast to the rather dramatic life of his father Abraham and his son Jacob his life is calm and pleasant. In the Jewish tradition he
Twin Brothers (Genesis 32-36) This week describes the return of the lost son Jacob back to Canaan. He can not avoid meeting his brother Esau, who has been resentful for more than twenty years. He is afraid and preparing for this encounter in the Jordan
Jesus and Joseph (Genesis 37-40) This week we will read the story of Joseph, Jacob’s beloved son from the beloved wife Rachel. Jacob had twelve sons, yet he does not hide his love for Joseph and he even makes him a beautiful ornate robe. The
Earthly Bread and Heavenly Bread (Genesis 41 – Genesis 44:17) This week we will read about the rise of Joseph to greatness in Egypt. Pharaoh dreams his strange dreams and non of the sages of Egypt is able to solve them. After two years in
The Blessed Shepherds (Genesis 44:18 – 47:27) This week we will finally have a catharsis for the story of Joseph and his brothers. Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, forgave them for selling him to slavery and reunited with them and with his younger brother
The Promised Land (Genesis 47:28-50:26) This week we will read the last section of Genesis. We will read about the end of Jacob’s life, and how he asked Joseph to swear not to bury him in Egypt but in the Promised Land, in the Cave
Shalom! My name is Itamar Ben David and I am a tour guide with Travelujah here in Israel. In the coming year I will take you on a journey that will connect the weekly Torah portion (The Parasha) to exciting sites in the Land of Israel
Last week we began our journey through the Torah according to the Jewish reading order. In Genesis chapter 1 we visited Jerusalem, the Temple Mount, the place of creation, the beginning of man, and also the place of the original sin. We saw how people
The Call of Abram The third Parasha is a long and ongoing journey. If I wanted to take you to one place that fits the reading of the story, I would not find one such place! In this portion our father, Abraham, wanders all over
Covenant of Salt – (Genesis Chapters 18-22) This week we read a few of the most important and fundamental stories in the bible and learn how things are interpreted in the light of the New Testament. We read about Abraham, who was known for his