A fundamental principle of Mussar is that inner change is possible. Why then does God harden Pharaoh’s heart?
Shemot (7: 3-6) (Robert Alter, trans.) “And I on […]
Parshat Vaera
A Hardened Heart
Parshat Shemot
How did Moses become Moses?
Shemot (2:11) (Robert Alter, trans.) And it happened at that time that Moses grew and went out to his brothers and saw their burdens.
Rashi […]
Parshat Vayechi
How is a curse a blessing?
Bereishit (49:1-7) (Robert Alter, trans.) Assemble and hearken, O Jacob’s sons, and hearken to Israel your father. Reuben, my firstborn are you — my […]
Parshat Vayigash
Speaking Directly
Bereishit (45:1-3) (Robert Alter, trans.) And Joseph could not longer hold himself in check before all who stood attendance upon him, and he cried, “Clear out everyone around […]
Parshat Mikeitz
Bereishit (41: 15) (Robert Alter, trans.) And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I dreamed a dream and none can solve it, and I have heard about you that you can understand […]
Parshat Vayeishev
Bereishit (37: 32-36) And they took Joseph’s tunic and slaughtered a kid and dipped the tunic in the blood, and they sent the ornamented tunic and had it brought to […]
Parshat Vayishlach
In this remarkable episode, Jacob re-engages with his brother, fearing the worst but ultimately experiencing transformational growth both spiritually and in his relationship with his brother. It includes one of […]
Parsha Vayeitzei
Bereishit (27:35-36) (Robert Alter, trans.) When Esau heard his father’s words, he cried out with a great and bitter outcry and he said to his father, “Bless me, too, Father!” […]
Parshat Chayei Sarah
Rabbis Leibowitz and Dessler focus on the story of Eliezer’s search for a bride for Issac. The story is very lengthy and packs in many of the mussar themes concerning […]
Parshat Vayera
Bereishit 18:1-10 (Robert Alter, trans) And the LORD appeared to him in the Terebinths of Mamre when he was sitting by the tent flap in the heat of the day. […]