dvar torah

One of the more difficult stories in Chumash, is the story of Yaakov and Eisav and the “Blessings” in this week’s Parsha. Yitzchak is about to give the blessings to Eisav. Rivkah feels that Yaakov is more deserving of the blessings, and she encourages Yaakov to disguise himself as Eisav. Yaakov listens to his mother and “tricks” his blind father into thinking that he is Eisav. Yaakov receives the blessings from Yitzchak. And the Parsha goes on to relate the rest of the story.

A well-to-do American Jew who had spent many years in a small town, moved to the city and was made chairman of the Ritual Committee of a large synagogue. Before the High Holidays, it was his duty to engage a cantor. When the transaction was completed, the cantor inquired: “How about a Shofar?” “Look Mister, you may be a great cantor, but don’t put on airs with me,” snapped the new chairman. “If I, a rich man, can drive my own car, then so can you — and without a chauffeur!” T