Tag Archives: Genesis

Vayekhi (Genesis 47:28 – 50:26)

Posted on January 5, 2023 by igplotzk

There is no “happily ever after.” Jacob doesn’t forgive his sons. They forgive neither themselves nor Joseph. Joseph does not say he has forgiven his brothers. Joseph continues his life as Zaphenat-Paneah, in but not of the royal court, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 1 Kings, Cave of Machpelah, David, Egypt, embalming, Ephraim and Manasseh, forgiveness, Genesis, Jacob, Joseph, Joseph's brothers, Judah, last words, Prof. G.A. Rendsburg, Solomon, Vayekhi | Leave a comment

Vayigash (Genesis 44:18 – 47:27)

Posted on December 29, 2022 by igplotzk

When I went to grad school, I was not prepared for how cold it would be. I don’t mean the weather. … (more via link) Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Benjamin, dysfunctional family, Egypt, family reunion, famine, Genesis, Goshen, identity, Jacob, Joseph, Joseph's brothers, Judah, Pharaoh, weeping | Leave a comment

Miketz (Gen. 41:1-44:17), 6th day of Chanukah (Num. 7:42-47), Rosh Chodesh Tevet (Num. 28:9-15)

Posted on December 23, 2022 by igplotzk

Miketz is almost always read during Chanukah. It wasn’t two years ago when we had only got up to Parashat Vayeishev (Gen. 47:1-40:23). But this year is normal, at least in that respect, as was 2019. Let’s continue with 2019 … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Benjamin, Chanukah, cows, dedication of the Tabernacle, dream interpretation, ears of corn, Egypt, Ephraim and Manasseh, Genesis, Hasmoneans, Jacob, Joseph, Joseph's brothers, Judah, light, Maccabees, Miketz, names, Numbers 7, Pharaoh, rededication of the Temple, Richard Hidary, sacrifices, seven years of famine, seven years of plenty, Shabbat Rosh Chodesh, Shimon, test, Tevet, Zaphenat-Paneah, Zechariah | Leave a comment

Vayeishev (Gen. 37:1- 40:23), Chanukah

Posted on December 15, 2022 by igplotzk

This past Tuesday, we returned from a vacation in sunny, summery Florida. Thursday morning, I looked outside and saw white stuff on the ground. For a moment, I thought it might be some powdery chemical lawn treatment. Then I recognized … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged baker, Chanukah, coat of many colors, dream interpretation, dreams, Er, Genesis, Hasmoneans, Jacob, Joseph's brothers, latkes, oil, Onan, outsider, parental favoritism, Potiphar, Potiphar's wife, prison, Reuben, Seleucid Empire, shalshelet, Shelah, slave, sufganiyot, Tamar, wine steward | 1 Comment

Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4 – 36:43)

Posted on December 5, 2022 by igplotzk

(2019) This week, Jacob learns what happens when you try to go home again. I grew up in West Philadelphia. Although we moved out in 1970, that is still in my memory as “home.” My husband worked at Mercy Philadelphia … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Beth El, Bethlehem, Bilhah, brothers' reconciliation, chiastic structures, Deborah, Dinah, diplomacy, Esau, Genesis, home, Isaac, Israel, Jacob, Jacob wrestles with the angel, Levi, Rachel, Reuben, Shechem, Shimon, Vayishlach | Leave a comment

Vayetze (Genesis 28:10 – 32:3)

Posted on December 1, 2022 by igplotzk

Thanks to rest, liquids, and the antiviral med, I feel fine, thank you. I was going to write about karma today, but I wrote in 2019 what I wanted to write today. So, I’ll write it again, with only tiny … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Beth El, Bilhah, Genesis, Haran, household idols, Isaac, Jacob, Jacob's ladder, karma, Laban, Leah, Rachel, Rebecca, Vayetze, well, Zilpah | Leave a comment

Toldot (Genesis 25:19 – 28:9)

Posted on November 24, 2022 by igplotzk

I meant to write new comments this week, but COVID (after 5 vaccinations over 2 ½ years) has sapped my energy. Also ruined Thanksgiving. But it could be worse… Comments are from 2017, humor is, if not totally new, freshly … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Abimelech, birthright, blessing, deceit, dysfunctional family, Esau, Genesis, hands of Esau, hunter, Isaac, Jacob, lentil soup, Rebecca, sibling rivalry, Toldot, twins, venison, voice of Jacob | Leave a comment

Chayei Sarah (Genesis 23:1 – 25:18)

Posted on November 17, 2022 by igplotzk

(2019) This week: a rare peaceful interlude in the stories of biblical family life. (For tension and intrigue, see the accompanying haftarah, 1 Kings 1:1-31, in which David is dying and his throne, promised to Solomon, is usurped by another … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Abraham, Aram-naharaim, Canaan, Cave of Machpelah, Eliezer, Genesis, Hagar, Isaac, Ishmael, Keturah, kindness, Laban, Nahum M. Sarna, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Rebecca, Sarah, Stephen Carter, well | Leave a comment

Vayeira (Gen. 18:1-22:24)

Posted on November 11, 2022 by igplotzk

(First, comments from 2013, then 2022 comments on the Akedah) (2013) This week’s portion contains stories characterized by varying degrees of turmoil. While Abraham is recovering from his circumcision, he receives three guests and provides (or asks Sarah to provide) … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Abimelech, Abraham, akedah, binding of Isaac, child sacrifice, circumcision, Devorah Schonfeld, Genesis, Hagar, hospitality, Isaac, Ishmael, Judith Civan, laughter, Lot, Lot's daughters, Lot's wife, Rabbi Samuel Z. Glaser, Roslyn Weiss, Sarah, Shalom Spiegel, Sodom and Gomorrah, test of Abraham | 1 Comment

Lech L’cha (Genesis 12:1 – 17:27)

Posted on November 3, 2022 by igplotzk

Now that we have finished with the preliminaries, for the rest of Genesis, we narrow our focus to the lives of one family, Abram and Sarai (later, Abraham and Sarah), and the three generations that will follow them. This week’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Abraham, Abram, Bereshit Rabbah, bris, brit milah, Canaan, circumcision, covenant, Egypt, G. A. Rendsburg, Genesis, Hagar, Haran, Hebrew, Ishmael, Jonathan Sarna, Lech L'cha, Lot, Nachmanides, name change, Nehama Leibowitz, Rabbi Matthew Berkowitz, Sarah, Sarai | 1 Comment