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שבת טעם החיים וישלח תש"ע
Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Vayishlach 5770

Wisdom is creation

Introduction
ויענו בני יעקב את שכם ואת חמור אביו במרמה וידברו אשר טמא את דינה אחתם, Yaakov’s sons answered Schechem and his father cleverly and they spoke (because he had defiled their sister Dinah). (Bereishis 34: 13)
In this week’s parasha the Torah records how Shechem, the son of Chamor the Chivite, kidnapped Dena, the daughter of Yaakov, and violated her. The sons of Yaakov heard about this violation and the… Continue

שבת טעם החיים ויצא תש"ע
Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Vayeitzei 5770

A Dream of Ascent

Introduction
ויחלם והנה סלם מצב ארצה וראשו מגיע השמימה והנה מלאכי אלקים עלים וירדים בו
And he dreamt, and behold! A ladder was set earthward and its top reached heavenward; and behold! Angels of G-d were ascending and descending on it. (Bereishis 28: 12)
The Torah records how Yaakov was headed to his uncle Lavan in Aram (modern day Iraq) and he stopped off at the site of the Holy Temple. The sun set early and Yaako… Continue

שבת טעם החיים תולדות תש"ע
Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Toldos 5770

Blessings unlimited
Introduction
So he drew close and kissed him; he smelled the fragrance of his garments and blessed him; he said, “See, the fragrance of my son is like the fragrance of a field which HaShem had blessed.” (Bereishis 27:27)
In this week’s parasha the Torah records the blessings that Yitzchak conferred on his son Yaakov. The Torah states that when Esav returned from his hunt and discovered that Yaakov had received the… Continue

שבת טעם החיים חיי שרה תש"ע
Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Chaye Sara 5770

Everything can be perceived as good
Introduction
Sarah’s lifetime was one hundred twenty years, and seven years; the years of Sarah’s life. (Bereishis 23:1)
Rashi writes that the words the years of Sarah’s life teach us that all of Sarah’s years were deemed to be good. The Medrash cites the verse that states (Tehillim 37:18) yodeia HaShem yimei temimim vinachalasam liolam tihiyeh, HaShem knows the days of the perfect, their inher… Continue

שבת טעם החיים וירא תש"ע
Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Vayeira 5770

King Dovid can be found in Sodom
Introduction
I have found my servant, David. And where did I find him? In Sodom (Bereishis Rabbah 44:1)
In this week’s parasha we learn how HaShem was prepared to destroy the ancient city of Sodom and its surroundings on account of the decadence of the inhabitants. Avraham prayed on behalf of the people of Sodom, hoping that HaShem would acknowledge that there were some righteous people in the city, in… Continue