VAYETSE: Brief history of the word “Jew”
The word "yehudí" is equivalent to the word "Jew." But in terms of their function, these two terms are sometimes opposite: "Yehudi" is an...
Writen in 2009: Never again, is up to us
Spech given on April.25.2009 Tazria - Metzora (Holocaust) 1.Yiar.5769
This is a difficult week for a Rabbi to decide on a subject for his speech....
Who doesn’t want a ceasefire in Gaza?
Israel is facing a military operation that is essentially a rescue mission. Hamas has invaded Israel, violated, tortured, wounded, and massacred thousands of Israeli...
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...
