Laban said to Jacob “If, pray, I have found favor in your eyes, I have prospered and the LORD has blessed me because of you.” Laban recognizes that his good fortune came as a result of Jacob’s presence but this did not prevent him from making Jacob’s life miserable. Sometimes it is hardest for us to

Jacob took his mother's advice and tricked his blind father into blessing him; this was the only realistic course of action. Even so, for the rest of Jacob's life, at every critical turn, trickery will doggedly follow him. He is tricked into marrying the older sister of the woman he loves and his sons trick

According to our tradition Abraham went through ten tests and some say the final test was the passing of Sarah. What was particularly testing about Sarah’s death? The Midrash teaches that as a result of the Aqedah, the binding of Isaac, Sarah passed away – the episode was so traumatic that it killed her. To suffer is

And the LORD said, “Should I find in Sodom fifty guiltless within the city, I will forgive the whole place for their sake.” Anyone can be good in a village or a small town, but city living challenges those who seek a wholesome and spiritual life. The Radomsker Rebbe explained that around Sodom there were good