Hal Miller

Shabbat Parashat Vayeitzei - 5786 Rabbi Hal Miller   Let me pass through your whole flock today. Remove from there every speckled   or spotted lamb, every brownish lamb among the sheep and the spotted or speckled   among the goats, that will be my wage. [Bereishit 30:32] After Lavan asked Yaakov what he wanted for pay, Yaakov proposes an interesting deal. But the text leaves much room for interpretation. He begins by saying that he will pass through the flock 'today'. We see

Shabbat Parashat Toldot - 5786 Rabbi Hal Miller   And dwell with him for a few days until your brother's wrath subsides. [Bereishit 27:44] What did Rivka mean, telling Yaakov to go to Lavan "for a few days"? The trip alone would take far more than that, in each direction. Most likely, Eisav would not have forgotten what Yaakov did to obtain the blessing for quite some time. When was Yaakov supposed to return, and how would he know when that was? In parashat Chaye Sarah [Berei

Shabbat Chaye Sarah - 5786 Rabbi Hal Miller   Her brother and her mother said, let the maiden remain with us days or a set of   ten, then she will go. [Bereishit 24:55]   And they said, let us call the maiden and ask her decision. [Bereishit 24:57] Rivka's family asked for a delay in Eliezer taking her away to marry Yitzchak. What was behind this, and how long did they actually ask for? Then after asking for a delay, they suggested leaving it to Rivka. Why did they change the

Shabbat Vayeira - 5786 Rabbi Hal Miller   And he said, I will surely return to you at this time next year, there will be life, and   behold a son to Sarah your wife. Now Sarah heard at the entrance of the tent and   it was behind him. [Bereishit 18:10] This verse, and its companion 18:14, use the phrase ca'eit chayah. There are many explanations as to what that may mean. The second word, chayah, is pretty clear on its own, meaning life. The first word is a little more flexibl