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.

Why Can't We Get Along?

Published: 24 October 2016 | Written by Rochel Holzkenner

Jacob: Sara, what shall I buy you for your fiftieth birthday? Would you like a new Cartier?
Sara: No, not really.
Jacob: Let's take a trip to Paris!"
Sara: No, thanks.
Jacob: How about we finally get that yacht…
Sara: No, no!
Jacob: Sara, tell me what would make you happy?

The Origins of Jewish Music

Published: 10 October 2016 | Written by Mendel Kalmenson

A distraught Jew visited the Rebbe and complained that his children were assimilating. “What have I done wrong? Why have they strayed from the path I taught them? Ay,” the man sighed, “vi shver es iz tzu zein a Yid,” repeating an old Yiddish saying meaning, “How difficult it is to be a Jew!”

The Rebbe asked him, “Do you often express yourself this way?”

“In stressful times -- and there are many -- yes, I do,” said the man.

The Goers

Published: 03 October 2016 | Written by Mordechai Wollenberg

This week's Torah portion, Vayeilech, describes the last days of Moses' life. The title of each Torah portion highlights an important concept which is taught in that particular portion. Vayeilech literally means 'and Moses went' from the root of the word Halicha, meaning 'going' in Hebrew.

'Halicha' also means the idea of being on the move, of not being stagnant. By subjecting ourselves to an honest reckoning, using this time for introspection and self-assessment and drawing the necessary conclusions, we are able to move on and to grow as people, rather than remaining stuck where we are. We have the capability to 'go', to reach very high moral and spiritual levels. We cannot remain standing still, we must be 'goers,' movers and shakers, people who grow, who make a difference to what is going on.

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