Parashas Vayishlach, Issue #872 / CTD #9 – By Pinchas Winston Ya’akov was frightened and distressed. He divided the people who were with him, the flocks, the herds and the camels, into two camps. (Bereishis 32:8)   WHEN YA’AKOV AVINU heard that Eisav was coming out to “greet” him with 400 men, who were probably…

Parashas Vayaitzai, Issue #871 / CTD #8: Pittsburgh Fallout – By Pinchas Winston Ya’akov got up early in the morning and took the stone which he had placed under his head. He set it up as a monument and poured oil on the top of it. (Bereishis 25:18)   WE ARE NOW in Chanukah territory….

Parashas Toldos, Issue #870 / CTD #7 – By Pinchas Winston Ya’akov said, “[First] Sell me your firstborn birthright.” (Bereishis 25:31)   ONE OF THE things that has always impressed me about Torah—not that Torah needs to impress me, or that I need to be impressed to accept its authority—is the way it is not…

Parashas Chaye Sarah, Issue #869 / CTD #6 – By Pinchas Winston “Let the girl to whom I say, ‘Please tip your pitcher for me to drink’ . . .” (Bereishis 24:14)   THE TALMUD SAYS that 40 days before a child is born, it is decided in Heaven who they are to marry. It’s…

Parashas Vayaira, Issue #868 / CTD #5 – By Pinchas Winston God appeared to him . . . (Bereishis 18:1)   THE TALMUD SAYS that God appeared to Avraham on the third day after Bris Milah, when he was weakest. It was a sick call, in the merit of the Milah that was performed. Once Avraham…