The WebYeshiva Blog

In this week’s Parasha, the Ma’or Va-Shemesh teaches that the entire story of Yosef HaTzaddik is not simply the beginning of Galut, exile, but the hidden beginning of Geula, redemption. Beneath every event lies a

The Maor VaShemesh reveals the inner meaning behind the Torah’s words, “Yaakov sent angels before him.” Rashi says these were real angels, yet how could Esav, steeped in physicality, see spiritual beings? He explains that

The Maor Va-Shemesh reveals that when Yaakov Avinu leaves Be’er Sheva, the Torah is teaching us what it means when a tzaddik departs. Rashi’s three expressions, “hod, ziv, hadar,” are not repetitions. They reflect three

In this week’s parashah, Toldot, the Ma’or Va-Shemesh teaches that the Torah’s opening line: וְאֵלֶּה תוֹלְדוֹת יִצְחָק בֶּן־אַבְרָהָם אַבְרָהָם הוֹלִיד אֶת־יִצְחָק (Bereishit 25:19), is not a simple repetition but a profound spiritual revelation. On the surface, it recounts lineage.

Chesed, Purity, and Sweetened Judgments In Parashat Chayei Sarah, the Ma’or Va-Shemesh reveals that Eliezer’s journey to find a wife for Yitzchak was far more than a practical mission, it was a spiritual shlichut. When the Torah says, “וַיִּקַּח

In Parshat Vayeira, the Ma’or Va-Shemesh teaches that after Avraham Avinu entered the covenant of brit milah, his holiness became so intense that even the malachim could not withstand his light. So HaKadosh Baruch Hu

In Parshat Lech Lecha the Ma’or Va-Shemesh teaches that  “Lech Lecha”, go for yourself, is not a command to travel, but a call to ascend. Hashem was telling Avraham: Go inward. Go higher. Go toward the root of your soul. Avraham

In Parshat Noach, the Ma’or Va-Shemesh teaches that there are two kinds of tzaddikim. One serves Hashem in simple innocence – walking in purity, praying and learning with sincerity, but remaining apart from people lest they distract him. The other serves with

In Parshat Bereishit, the Maor VaShemesh teaches that creation isn’t just history, it’s a living blueprint for our inner life. “In the beginning” = God’s first tzimtzum (contraction), making space for a finite world. The first light

In Parshat V’Zot HaBrachah, the Avodat Yisrael addresses the question: Why did Moshe feel the need to bless the tribes even though Yaacov Avinu already did so: “V’Zot” = Malkhut/Adonai. Jacob’s blessings configure the twelve tribes as a merkavah to

The Avodat Yisrael was authored by Rabbi Yisrael Hopstein (c. 1737–1814), the Kozhnitzer Maggid, a leading Polish Hasidic master and founder of the Kozhnitz dynasty. A principal disciple of R. Elimelech of Lizhensk (and of

These new weekly insights on the parsha by Rabbi Shalom (Saul) Orbach are based on the teachings of the great Chassidic Rav, Yisroel Hopstein, otherwise known as the Maggid of Kozhnitz.  Avodat Yisrael on Parshat

There are many ways to understand the commandment of: “and your brother shall live with you” (Vayikra 25:36). In particular, according to the Maharal (Drush Na’eh L’Shabbat HaGadol), we learn from the word ‘with you’

Did you ever want to learn Yiddish? WebYeshiva is happy to announce a new Yiddish for beginners course launching in February. Join Danny Birnbaum and learn the fundamentals of basic Yiddish including the alphabet, key verbs (and

Have you ever tried to learn Torah, only to discover that you are totally reliant on translations? Would you like to be able to learn Torah independently? It will take some work, but it’s worth

A new covenant with the land By Rabbi Johnny Solomon The phrase Chazak Ve’Ematz – ‘be strong and be determined’ is found twice in Parshat VaYelech. The first is when Moshe summons Yehoshua in front

Bikkurim & The Presence of God By Rabbi Johnny Solomon This Shabbat we read Parshat Ki Tavo which describes the ritual of bringing the Bikkurim to the Kohanim in the Beit Hamikdash. Alongside this, we

Chessed & Derech Eretz (Ki Tetze) By Rabbi Johnny Solomon Among the various stories and laws recorded in Parshat Ki Tetze is a description of how Bnei Yisrael’s treatment by the nations of Amon &

God is on our side (Shoftim) By Rabbi Johnny Solomon Parshat Shoftim informs us that before Jewish soldiers would go out to battle the Kohen (priest) would deliver the following stirring words:  “Hear Israel (Shema

What will happen when I die? (Parshat Re’eh) By Rabbi Johnny Solomon Early on in Parshat Re’eh, Moshe refers to the ceremony which would occur when Bnei Yisrael entered the Land of Israel (see Devarim