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Beyond the Shtenders
Welcome to Yesodei Yisrael's "Blog", our online journal full of divrei Torah, inspirational insights, photo albums and recaps of what's been going on around the Beis Medrish and in the world beyond the shtenders (and obviously within them as well). Here you will gain an inside look at the ideas and inspiration nurtured inside our yeshiva and how Yesodei Yisrael impacts Jewish thought and life in the community. Students, staff, parents, and friends share Torah insights, photos, videos, reflections on growth, and stories that celebrate the beauty of our yeshiva and the privilege of building a meaningful life in Eretz Yisrael.
Parshas Vayigash: A Moment of Truth
When Yosef finally reveals himself to his brothers and says, “I am Yosef. Is my father still alive?” the Torah tells us that the brothers were unable to respond because they were overwhelmed. Chazal describe this moment as a powerful rebuke, even though Yosef did not scold them or speak harshly towards them. Rav Asher Weiss points out that the deepest rebuke does not come from sharp words or accusations, but from standing face-to-face with undeniable truth. In that moment, al
Yesodei Yisrael
Dec 26, 2025
Family D'var Torah Parshas Vayigash: Actions Speak Louder than Words
In Parshas Vayigash, there’s a moment where everything flips. Yehuda steps forward and talks to Yosef, not knowing it’s actually his brother. Yosef is the most powerful person in Egypt, but what Yehuda says completely breaks through him.
Yesodei Yisrael
Dec 25, 2025
Family D'var Torah Parshas Vayeshev: Paving the Road for the Next Generation
By R' Yechiel and Nati Del Castillo An interesting phenomenon occurs in this week’s parashah: the abundance of the letter vav. Nearly every pasuk begins with a vav, symbolizing connection and continuity throughout the narrative. In Hebrew, the word vav means “hook” or “connector,” like the hooks used to join the curtains of the Mishkan and the Beit HaMikdash. By beginning almost every pasuk with a vav, the Torah teaches that every detail in the parashah is interconnected and
Yesodei Yisrael
Dec 12, 2025
Family D'var Torah Parshas Vayishlach: Fighting Our Battles — The Secret of Yaakov’s Victory
By the Brazil family In Parshas Vayishlach, Yaakov Avinu faces one of the most mysterious moments of his life. The Torah tells us: “וַיִּוָּתֵר יַעֲקֹב לְבַדּוֹ” — “And Yaakov remained alone.” It is in this moment of being alone that the angel of Esav attacks him. Chazal teach us a powerful lesson: A person’s biggest battles happen when they are alone. Not when life is loud, Not when friends are around, But when the room is quiet, the phone is off, and it’s just you and your
Yesodei Yisrael
Dec 5, 2025
Parshas Vayishlach: How to defeat the Yetzer Hara
By Rav Zev Sheff 10th & 11th grade Rebbi at Yesodei Yisrael When Yaakov Avinu sends the Malachim to Esav he tells them: “Ki Yifgashcha Esav Achi U’shaalcha Leimor Lemi Ata Vi’ana Telech Ulemi Eileh Lifanecha. Viamarta Liavdecha LiYaakov Mincha Hi Shlucha Laadoni LiEsav Vihinei Gam Hu Achareinu” (32:18-19) Rav Levi Yitzchak of Bardichtev in Kedushas Levi says that these Psukim teach us everything about growing closer to Hashem. He explains, that when a person starts to get clo
Rav Zev Sheff
Dec 4, 2025
Parashas Vayetze: Rooted in the Ground, Reaching the Heavens
By Rav Ari Green 8th grade rebbi at Yesodei Yisrael In Yaakov’s dream, the Torah describes “סֻלָּם מֻצָּב אַרְצָה וְרֹאשׁוֹ מַגִּיעַ הַשָּׁמָיִמָה” a ladder standing on the ground, and its head reaching the heavens. Chazal teach that every detail in this vision carries meaning, and for those involved in chinuch, the message is striking. We naturally notice the ladder’s lofty peak רֹאשׁוֹ מַגִּיעַ הַשָּׁמָיִמָה. Yaakov is being shown what a Jewish life can strive toward: holin
Rav Ari Green
Dec 1, 2025
Family Dvar Torah Parashas Toldos: What Do I Need the Future For? Overcoming the Impulsivity of Esav
By R' Eli and Yosef Freedman, In Parshas Toldos, we meet Yaakov and Esav, two brothers who are total opposites. Esav lives in the world of right now . He comes home starving, sees the lentil soup, and trades away his whole birthright just to eat something immediately. Yaakov is the opposite; he thinks about the future, he focuses on what actually matters, even if it doesn't help him straight away. The crazy part is how human Esav feels. Who hasn’t made a rushed choice when th
Yesodei Yisrael
Nov 20, 2025
Parashas Toldos: Cultivating Unconditional Love for Hashem
By Rav Bentzi Raice , Afternoon Menahel at Yesodei Yisrael The Mishnah in Pirkei Avos states: כל אהבה שהיא תלויה בדבר – בטל דבר בטלה אהבה; ושאינה תלויה בדבר – אינה בטלה לעולם. Any love that depends on a specific thing, when that thing passes, the love does as well. But love that does not depend on a thing never disappears. The Maggid of Kozhnitz (1737–1814) in the Sefer Avodas Yisrael explains this Mishnah as hinting to the relationship between every Jew and Hashem. If our l
Yesodei Yisrael
Nov 20, 2025
Parashas Chayei Sarah: The Test No One Talks About
By Rav Shimon Kronenberg , Founder & Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshiva Yesodei Yisrael Chazal teach us that Avraham Avinu faced ten great tests throughout his lifetime - עֲשָׂרָה נִסְיוֹנוֹת נִתְנַסָּה אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ וְעָמַד בְּכֻלָּם . And through them, he became the father of our nation. But among all those tests, the meforshim debate: which one was truly the hardest? Most of us would instinctively say the Akeidah . How could anything compare to being asked to bring his beloved so
Rav Shimon Kronenberg
Nov 13, 2025
Parashas Chayei Sarah: Going beyond the pail
The story of Eliezer's tefillah and Rivka's actions in this week's parsha teach us a lot as students. "Don’t just be a receiver of chinuch. Be a partner in it. Take responsibility. Ask, think, care, and try to live what we learn."
Shlomo Newman
Nov 12, 2025
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