Rabbi Mordechai Becher’s Vlog on Chanukah 5774
Is Your Home Your Castle? Why do we light the menorah in our home on Chanukah? View this video directly on Videom
Chanukah: The Spiritual Battle
Chanukah: The Spiritual Battle The underlying theme of the conflict between the Jews and the Greeks, is the clash between two diametrically opposed worldviews. In the Jewish view of reality, everything in the physical world is a reflection of the spiritual. A physical conflict is a superficial manifestation of a deeper spiritual conflict. There are…
Rabbi Mordechai Becher’s Vlog on Parshat Vayeishev 5774
Bloody Coat = Bloody Libel How is the sale of Joseph connected to anti-Semitism throughout history? View this video directly on Vimeo
Vayeishev – Dreams
Just two brief ideas about dreams, which are a central theme of the parsha this week and next week. Joseph tells his brothers about his dreams and a terrible feud ensues. Later on Joseph interprets the dreams of Pharaoh’s servants and then of Pharaoh himself , leading to salvation and redemption. One beautiful idea that…
Rabbi Mordechai Becher’s Vlog – Payback Worries – Parshat Vayishlach 5774
Why was Jacob afraid of being killed by Esau if he had God’s promise of a safe return? And why was he concerned that he may kill if it was justified by self-defense? View this video directly on Vimeo
Vayishlach – Peace and Self-Defense
Jacob’s daughter, Dinah is kidnapped and victimized by Shechem the son of Chamor. When her brothers hear about this and enter into negotiations with Chamor, they deceive him and trick him into having all the men in his city undergo circumcision. When the men were weak and recovering, Shimon and Levi, entered the city and…
Rabbi Mordechai Becher’s Vlog on Parshat Vayeitzei 5774
A Single Stone Why did the Patriarchs use single stones as monuments? Why are the Jewish people forbidden from using these monolithic monuments? View this video directly on Vimeo.com
The Place
The Torah relates that Jacob “encountered the Place.” Our Sages explain that the word Place is actually a name of G-d, Who is called The Place. We use this name of G-d in a number of our prayers and call Him, Ha-Makom, The Place. Why is this so? The Midrash explains that “He (G-d) is…
Rabbi Mordechai Becher’s Vlog on Parshat Toldot 5774
The Macho Thug vs The Scholar Rabbi Mordechai Becher discusses why did Isaac favor Esau, a macho thug, over Jacob, the wholesome scholar? This week’s Vlog is dedicated in memory of Yitzchak Meir ben Lev HaLevi View this video directly on Vimeo.
Sitting in the Tents of Torah
Jacob is described as “wholesome, one who dwells in the tents.” Rashi explains that Jacob dwelt in the tent of Torah and spent his time studying. (What exactly he was studying before the giving of the Torah is a matter of discussion amongst the commentaries) Like Jacob, one of the hallmarks of Jewish life throughout…