The Rabbi Yonah Sklare Podcast

 Does nature reveal or conceal the truth of Hashem? This is the fundamental point of departure between the believer from the non-believer. Through the prism of our parsha it will become apparent how this modern-day religious-secular divide is the very same kulturkampf that was waged upon the Nile Delta in the story of Yetzias Mitzrayim.   

 The Torah fundamentally rejects the notion of ‘’sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me.’’ As creatures of psyche and neshama, we are hurt by emotional abuse no less then physical abuse. This is brought out from a sensitive treatment of the words describing Pharaoh’s oppression of B’nai Yisrael.     

    Yaakov’s final years were a brief period of tranquility in an otherwise tumultuous life. Chazal explain that this was the only period in which he can be called ‘’alive’’ (‘’Vayechi’’). Yet, this same phase of seeming respite was actually the beginning of Golus Mitzrayim. So, was it really happily ever after? Moreover, and in truth, is there ever happily ever after in Olam Hazeh?...

 Each person’s conception of Hashem is as unique as that individual. This is underscored by a pauk in our parsha as well as from a broader study of the Avos, who each forge a different relationship with Hashem and a differing notion of the Divine. We will also discover each one’s individualistic perspective to Shabbos, as reflected by the nusach hatefillah.     

 This shiur explores the core point of struggle in our battle with Yavan. We will see how the triumph of meaning over vanity and soulfulness over superficiality is inextricably tied to bayis: the Jewish home, and to woman- the nurturer.        

 Suffering and misery are the most vexing issues in the human condition. Their resolution lies not in theological explanations per se, but rather in faith; faith that in this life we do not have the whole picture. We are experiencing a mere fragment of the greater reality, and that greater reality is beautiful and loving— part of the masterplan of a loving Hashem. This powerful, redemptive me...

    “Yaakov sent ma’lachim.’’ This reference is far from self-contained. An expansive study of these parshios reveals the ma’lachim are an icon, symbolizing Hashem’s protection throughout Yaakov’s wanderings. Although we are unable to behold actual angelic beings, we too can experience this phenomenon by discerning Hashem’s presence in all our ‘’close calls’’ which He renders ‘’clos...

  One of the critical survival mechanisms of Klal Yisrael in golus had been the ability to find comfort and security amidst perilous conditions. By clinging to the powerful bedrock of Yiddishkeit we discover a font of spiritual resilience and courage to face down our hostile adversities. This idea will emerge from a creative read of the pasuk in our Parsha, ''ויפגע במקום'', literally translat...

 Although this time of year corresponds with the frigid winter, it is not a period of morbidity and despair, rather of hope and positivity. This is borne out by a deeper study of the mazal (zodiac sign) of Kislev: keshes (a rainbow). The hues of the rainbow’s light, coupled with the neiros Chanukah, iconize the radiant spiritual opportunity of this period of the year.   

 A cohesive pattern underlies the entire parsha- it all points to the virtue of Sorah which is only fully recognized after her death. This underscores the all-too-common truth— the aishes chayil’s contributions are taken for granted, and only appreciated when it is too late. Only at that time can we begin to pay homage to ‘’Chayai Sorah’’- the life of Sorah, and all her successor n’shai chayi...

       A beneficiary of chessed is compromised by his position as a needy, dependent, petitioner. It is the giver’s responsibility to ameliorate this lowly feeling by showering the supplicant with dignity, and hopefully empowering him to be a ‘’mentch’’ in his own right. This is symbolized by the icon role of camels in the story of the chessed of Rivka.   &n...

    When we undergo spiritual transformation, there is a tendency to throw away our past and try to expunge it from our consciousness. However, a healthier approach is to be authentic to oneself, to embrace formative experiences of the past as a part of who we are and elevate it within our present. This becomes apparent in the spiritual transformation of “Avraham’’ and how he relate...

 When we undergo spiritual transformation, there is a tendency to throw away our past and try to expunge it from our consciousness. However, a healthier approach is to be authentic to oneself, to embrace formative experiences of the past as a part of who we are and elevate it within our present. This becomes apparent in the spiritual transformation of “Avraham’’ and how he relates positively...

Avraham is celebrated as the founder of monotheism. Along with his discovery of Hashem, he also discovers ‘’himself.’’ His concept of self is not static, but forever growing and expanding, as he pursues new fronters of personal expression. This is what it means to truly be a growing person.  

  So often, when we embark on a different path than our upbringings, we tend to castigate our forebears, and underappreciate their primal contributions to our lives. We must learn to value their formative influence, even when we move in a different direction, and blaze our own path. This becomes apparent from the startling homage paid to Terach, and the acknowledgment of his role in the devel...

  Failures can be bruising and hurtful, and seemingly endlessly debilitating. But there is a more redeeming perspective, in which setback serve as the catalyst for a new start, a fresh opportunity to reach greater achievement than was even fathomable before. This is the belief of people of courage, people of grit and resilience who always win in the end. No less then Hashem Himself sees the d...

  Failures can be bruising and hurtful, and seemingly endlessly debilitating. But there is a more redeeming perspective, in which setback serve as the catalyst for a new start, a fresh opportunity to reach greater achievement than was even fathomable before. This is the belief of people of courage, people of grit and resilience who always win in the end. No less then Hashem Himself sees the d...

   

  Our past sins need not be seen as devilish and fundamentally dirty, as the proverbial demons which we forever chase. To the contrary, authentic teshuvah is an art of reframing, recasting uncomfortable failure as a welcome opportunity for personal growth. We do not castigate any aspects of ourselves, but rather redirect wayward passions of the past in new positive directions. All aspects of...

    Crying is a powerful, deeply personal human emotion. This shiur explores how it captures the essential nature of Rosh Hashanah, which is called Yom Teruah, a day of weeping.   

  The shofar is blaring and noisy. It seeks to be invasive! Like the shrill alarm clock, it wakes us up from our stupor and spiritual apathy. But then comes and even more powerful sound, powerful in its silence-- the ''קול דממה דקה'' , our quiet inner voice. Lasting teshuvah is cast by the spell of this composed quiet rhythm, the rhythm of ישוב הדעת , mindfulness and self-awareness.  &nb...

 This shiur will trace in our parsha the culmination of ‘’Mishna Torah,’’ a new relationship to Torah relevant to the Jewish people now, after they have matured over forty years in the dessert. They have now ‘’come of age’’ and are ready to assume responsibility for the Torah as their own. This is reflected by the characteristic of Mishna Torah as ‘’The Torah Sheba’l Peh (Within Torah Shebeke...