Fear Not Your Power: An Individual Is a Community. In the listing of the Karbanos brought by the Nissim, in dedication of the Mishkan, the seventh leader is from the tribe of Ephraim. Yet here we face a fascinating question. The nasi Ephraim must have brought his offering on Shabbos, when you are not allowed to bring an individual offering. Why can Ephraim bring a Shabbos Sacrifice? • By Rabbi YY Jacobson • Full Article

By Rabbi YY Jacobson, TheYeshivah.net • At first, people thought that it had been completely destroyed. Later, however, it turned out that most of the manuscript had been saved. The synagogue sexton, Asher Baghdadi, and his son ran back into the smoldering synagogue to gather the pages of the Crown. Eventually, in 1958 the codex was wrapped in cheesecloth and smuggled out by a dairyman to Israel. It arrived in Jerusalem and was delivered to the President of Israel. The incredible story of this Codex mirrors the story of our people • Full Article

Rivkah Didn’t Want to Deceive Her Husband, She Just Wanted Jacob to Display Another Side • By Rabbi YY Jacobson, TheYeshivah.Net • Full Article

Abraham’s Search for Truth Was Also Part of Truth: The Torah relates in this week’s portion, Vayeira: Now Abraham and Sarah were old, coming on in days. In the following portion the Torah says again: “And Abraham was old, coming on in days. What do these words mean? If the meaning was simply that Abraham and Sarah grew old, it could have just said: Abraham and Sarah were old (“zekeinim”). Why the need for the extra words “baim bayamim,” “coming on in days?” • By Rabbi YY Jacobson • Full Article

Nachmanides raises a fascinating question about the opening of this week’s portion, Lech Lecha. What happened to the bio? The Tanach constantly introduces us to new characters assuming different roles, and fulfilling different tasks. Before we begin to hear their story, we are told a few words about their background to give us context, allowing us to understand why they were chosen for the role. • Full Article