Measure for measure: Parashat Miketz (Genesis 41:1-44:17)

Published on December 12, 2012

There are a good many details about the Joseph narratives that elude ready explanation. We absorb them readily and ignore them just as readily.

Power of words

By Rabbi Joshua Levine Grater
Published on December 5, 2012

In our age of Facebook and Twitter, we know all too well how fast words can spread. When I was a kid, we played the game telephone, passing a word or phrase around the circle by whispering it into each other’s ear, knowing that by the time it went all the way around, it would probably be transformed into something completely different — that was funny!

‘La Rafle’ recalls Vichy sins

Published on November 15, 2012

The biblical book of Exodus begins the ominous story of the Israelites’ descent into slavery with the following words: “A new generation arose” in Egypt that did not know Joseph.

One Israeli Creation for the Weekend

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on November 9, 2012

All-women ‘Joseph’ a dream come true

By Orit Arfa
Published on November 10, 2010

At a recent dress rehearsal at Temple Beth Am for the Jewish Women’s Repertory Company’s (JWRC) November production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” Margy Horowitz, the company’s founder, musical director and accompanist, played piano while the narrator belted out the famous opening line: “Some folks dream of the wonders they’ll do, before their time on this planet is through.”

Quality of Life

By Rabbi Daniel Bouskila
Published on December 31, 2008

Parshat Vayigash (Genesis 44:18-47:27): It was brief. Jacob, head of the House of Israel, met with Pharaoh, King of Egypt

Crossing paths

By Rabbi Lisa Edwards
Published on December 18, 2008

Parshat Vayeshev (Genesis 37:1-40:23) How about, for starters -- crossed path by crossed path, person by person, angel by angel -- a rescued world?

Obituaries

Published on May 15, 2008

Madeleine Adler died April 13 at 83. She is survived by her daughter, Jackie (Doug) Bristol; son, Robert (Maxine); two grandchildren; and sister, Vera Adler. Malinow and Silverman

Even the subtlest slight deserves a challenge

By Rabbi Dov Fischer
Published on December 6, 2007

It happens to all of us. You are with friends, engaged in small talk, and then someone makes a disparaging comment about a common acquaintance. You didn't see the insult coming, but there it is. It's entered the conversation.

What should you do? Should you challenge the slight or let it go by unaddressed?

Right or Righteous?

By Rabbi Debra Orenstein
Published on November 29, 2007

There is a modern-day term for the inability to admit wrongdoing: sociopathy. A conscience that cannot feel guilt is capable of untold evil. An ability to look critically at ourselves, to see where we are wrong, is the beginning of making things right. Being right -- in the narrow sense of "correct" -- amounts to very little, if a correct position isn't also righteous. Joseph is correct in interpreting his dreams of domination and superiority to his family, but he is also insensitive and inflammatory. He is right again, according to midrash, in what he tells his father about his brothers' bad behavior. But in Jewish law, unlike American, truth is not a defense against defamation. Accuracy is not piety.

For Cryin’ Out Loud

By Rabbi Karen Deitsch
Published on December 28, 2006

Familial Forgiveness

By Rabbi Susan Laemmle
Published on December 16, 2004

The syllabus for my USC general education class includes both Shakespeare's "The Tempest" and Chapters 37-50 of Genesis -- the Joseph story or "novella." These two narratives share themes that commend themselves: forgiveness and reconciliation. Both Prospero and Joseph were set upon by their own brothers and narrowly escaped death. Both protagonists contributed to their victim role -- Prospero through neglecting governance and Joseph by insensitive boasting.

A Portion of Parshat Mikketz

By Abby Gilad
Published on December 13, 2001

Do you remember your dreams?

Familial Forgiveness

By Rabbi Susan Laemmle
Published on January 4, 2001

The syllabus for my USC general education class includes both Shakespeare's "The Tempest" and chapters 37-50 of Genesis -- the Joseph story or "novella." These two narratives share themes that commend themselves: forgiveness and reconciliation. Both Prospero and Joseph were set upon by their own brothers and narrowly escaped death. Both protagonists contributed to their victim role -- Prospero through neglecting governance and Joseph by insensitive boasting. In the end, though, both forgive those who abused them -- enabling their family circle to be repaired and the next generation blessed. Just as Prospero realizes that "the rarer action is in virtue than in vengeance," so too does the instinct for reconciliation surge through Joseph.

Sibling Rivalry

By Ronnie Friedland
Published on November 23, 2000

It's a cautionary tale for parents, and one whose message will resonate with children: the new DreamWorks telling of the biblical tale of Joseph in the animated direct-to-video film "Joseph: King of Dreams."In a style similar to that of "The Prince of Egypt," which told the story of Moses, "Joseph: King of Dreams" imagines the childhood of Joseph and illustrates the dangers of favoring one child and the extremes to which sibling rivalry can lead. Animated by their jealousy, Joseph's brothers sell their preferred brother to Egyptian slave traders. It's an act they come to regret.

Rich in Spirit

By Rabbi Michelle Missaghieh
Published on December 9, 1999

There's a Yiddish saying that goes: "I've been poor and I've been rich. Believe me, rich is better!" In the Midrash we read: "Nothing in the universe is worse than poverty; it is the most terrible of sufferings." (Exodus Rabbah 31:14)

The Image of an Honorable Man

By Rabbi Janet Ross Marder
Published on December 10, 1998

Every summer, my sisters and I, along with our husbands and children, spend a few days with our parents at Red's Meadow resort near Mammoth.