MEGILAT ESTHER UNPACKED: Chapter ONE
INTRODUCTION:
In 586 BCE, Jerusalem was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, emperor of Babylon. The Jews were exiled and dispersed throughout the empire. In 539 BCE, two...
VAYERA: The Sacrifice of Isaac
Adapted from the book "Encounters" by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan z»l
Abraham hears a Voice. The Voice is familiar. It is the same Voice that commanded...
LEKH LEKHA: How does God reward righteous people?
Our sages have indicated that Abraham, our first patriarch, underwent 10 "nisiyonot," trials or life experiences. Each of these experiences should be seen as...
LEKH LEKHA: Walk Before Me
התהלך לפני והיה תמים
"Walk before Me with integrity."
ABRAHAM AND NOAH
When the Torah describes the relationship between God and Noah the text says: "ET HAELOQIM...
LEKH LEKHA: Abraham Abinu’s greatest discovery
Abraham Abinu discovered monotheism. When all human civilization believed in many gods, Abraham understood that there is only one God. But this is just...
SUMMARY OF LEKH LEKHA
ABRAM ARRIVES IN CANAAN
God commands Abram to leave the land of his parents and move to the land that He will show him. God...
LEKH LEKHA: Negotiating Sara’s Dowry
PROBLEMS IN GOD'S LAND
This week's Parasha begins with the story of Abraham, our first patriarch. God blesses Abraham repeatedly, assuring him that numerous peoples...
Shemini Atseret, Simchat Tora and Alcohol Consumption
Nothing contradicts the idea of Simchat Torah more than drunkenness.
Maimonides writes:
"During Yom Tob , a person should not drink too much ... because drunkenness...
SEVEN MITSVOT OF BENE NOAH (#1): What constitutes idolatry?
According to Jewish tradition, God commanded Adam haRishon (the first human being) six laws. These laws consist of 5 prohibitions and 1 positive commandment:...
Noah and the First Biblical Law
THE GENERATION OF THE FLOOD
When God created man, He granted him a neshama, a soul: his intelligence. The ability to think, analyze and make...
