Character Development

Found 7 Search results

1. Of Angels, Pillars and Brothers (Audio)

   Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 25 minutes

   The end of the Parshat Vayetzeh contains significant motifs that parallel the beginning of the parsha. This structure highlights a contrast between Yaakov at the beginning of the Parsha and the person he becomes at the end. Yaakov’s interaction with Lavan shows him the problematic road which he had been following. By the end of the process, Yaakov separates himself physically and psychologically from Lavan.

2. Yehuda's Plea and Its Audiences (Audio)

   Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 23 minutes

   Yehuda’s plea to the second-in-command of Egypt is reminiscent of Abraham’s prayer for justice. The tripartite structure of Yehuda’s plea includes appeals to mercy and to justice. But there is a third part which does not seem to belong - a spontaneous outburst about his father. What does this surprising addition reveal?

3. Yaakov Struggles

   Rabbi Alex Israel | 37 minutes

   Traditional explanations of Yaakov’s preparation for his meeting with Esav shows that Yaakov, who is terrified, is anticipating war. The subsequent meeting, however, is brotherly, even joyous, with no indication of obvious hostility. If Esav is so loving, why is Yaakov afraid? And what is the meaning of the mysterious fight in the night, which has semantic echoes in Yaakov’s daytime words to Esav? There seems to be evidence of a character transformation—but of whom?

4. Educating Joseph

   Rabbi Alex Israel | 38 minutes

   Bereisheet contains many stories illustrating dynamic character transformations, demonstrating that people can overcome natural tendencies to improve. What does the story of Potiphar’s wife (from the following parsha) contribute to this end? Remarkable self-restraint is evident, but how is the story relevant to Yosef’s problems with his brothers, or to his management ability? Why is his success followed by further punishment and exile? There is another key aspect to the story.

5. Navot's Vineyard (Part 8)

   Concluding Study: ֠Structure of the Narrative (Part 1)

   Rabbi Elchanan Samet

   The two halves of the story reflect two inverse processes that Ahav undergoes: his deterioration from transgressing a “light” prohibition to complicity in the most terrible of sins – murder, and his ascent from the depths of his sin to the level of a penitent. A significant literary structure exists around the low-point of the story – Ahav taking possession of Navot’s vineyard.

6. Who is the Protagonist of Megillat Esther?

   Prof. Jonathan Grossman and Rabbi Dr. Yehoshua Reiss

   In the first half of the megillah Mordechai appears to be the main character. From the point that Esther agrees to risk her life on behalf of the Jewish people, she becomes the leading character, and Mordechai becomes subservient to her:

7. One is Holy

   Rabbi Jay Kelman