בס”ד By Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron When contemplating this painting with hasidim playing musical instrument in the midst of a waterbackground, the Song of the Sea found in this parsha comes to mind. There are seven hasidim, the specialJewish number. The two lowest hasidim are opposites in the sense of where they … Read more
בס”ד By Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron In this painting we see an emphasis on the verses that begin with Hashem’s Name “Hashem Tzevaot,” aName that denotes the Holy Presence that rests with the legions of Israel. We chose this for this parshawhich mentions the term “legions” for the first time in the … Read more
בס”ד By Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron Since last week’s parsha we don’t hear about the city of Hebron till many parshiot ahead – parshat Shlach.However, we do hear much about Moshe Rabeinu in every parsha (save Tetzaveh), and commentatorsnote that Moshe’s name can be found in the initials of Maarat Sdeh Hamachpela. … Read more
בס”ד By Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron This parsha describes the burial of Yakov at Maarat Hamachpela. We see seven hasidim “within” the largetree, seven to the far left [all in same garb with brown caps], and seven on a rock/stump. The hasidim inthe tree play musical instruments. Three are blowing trumpets, one … Read more
בס”ד By Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron This parsha is full of re-unification of Israel. Yosef reveals himself to his brothers and as a result all ofYakov’s family are adjoined together in Goshen, Egypt. This painting seems to express a unification ofIsrael in the context of ascent to Jerusalem, the city that unites … Read more
בס”ד By Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron This parsha mentions that Yosef was sent from the valley of Hebron. This painting depicts a valley inHebron where Maarat Hamachpela is actually in the ascent, which in reality is usually not the case, sinceMaarat Hamachpela rests in a valley in Hebron. There are seven vines … Read more
בס”ד By Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron The traveling of Yakov to Hebron from north to south is one of the themes of this parsha. This paintingexhibits what are known as the “four holy cities in the Land of Israel,” going from north to south, right toleft. Nevertheless, there are sources to the … Read more
בס”ד By Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron This parsha describes the Temple Mount as the “gate of the heavens.” This painting seems to depict thistheme– (there is a more updated version of this painting). We see a winged man riding on a lion,sounding the shofar. This figure seems to indicate the Mashiach, since … Read more
בס”ד By Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron The story of the selling of the firstborn right to Yakov in the beginning of this parsha is, according to our Sages, adjacent in time to the burial of Avraham at Maarat Hamachpela. Our Sages say that Yakov made lentils since they were a sign of … Read more
בס”ד By Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron This parsha mentions Hebron already at its beginning, as the place Avraham received the revelation of the Divine Presence. This matter focuses our attention to Hebron not only being the roots of our People, the roots of our connection to the Land, but also being a … Read more
