This week's parsha

Unless otherwise noted, "This week's Parsha" comprises articles taken from contributors to the Chabad.org website. We show the original author's name here, so that proper attribution is given. For the sake of brevity, footnotes cited in the original author's writings are omitted from this website. If you need to see the citations, please refer to the original articles on the Chabad.org website.

The Power of Ruach

Published: 06 February 2017 | Written by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

In September 2010, BBC, Reuters and other news agencies reported on a sensational scientific discovery. Researchers at US National Center for Atmospheric Research and the University of Colorado have shown through computer simulation how the division of the red sea may have taken place.

Trapped? Not trapped!

Published: 30 January 2017 | Written by Tali Loewenthal

One of the most terrible and frightening feelings is that of being trapped. There is no way out. Blocked on all sides. It is a situation which might occur, G-d forbid, in literal, physical terms, in a context of violence or war. It is also one which might arise in terms of the turns and twists of a career, or of difficult human relationships. Being trapped is also something which might happen to a person inside his or her own mind and heart. Trapped, unable to move freely. Stuck. Like Pharaoh King of Egypt.

In which way was he trapped? Pharaoh was the oppressor of the Jews. They were trapped; in what way was he?

Pharaoh and the Frog

Published: 23 January 2017 | Written by Lazer Gurkow

In discussing the second of the Ten Plagues, the Midrash mentions that every creature plays a role in G‑d's master plan. If not for the frog, says the Midrash, how would the Almighty take retribution against Pharaoh?

Why does the Midrash single out the frog when there were nine additional plagues? The second plague was key because both Pharaoh and the frog shared a common appearance of apathy.