Isaac
When a person never waivers from the purity of the land, the purity of the land never waivers from the person.
The first person to be born Jewish, Isaac was purity personified, never leaving the land of Israel, then called Canaan. Isaac resembled his father Abraham. The binding of Isaac occurred when he was 37. At 40, Isaac married Rebecca. 20 years later they had twins, Jacob and Esau. In his later years, Isaac’s eyesight would weaken, one of the reasons given is so that Isaac would not see Esau’s destructive ways. Living in Hebron at the age of 180 Isaac passed away and was laid to rest in the Double Cave, along with his parents and wife.
Ishmael and Isaac: A Timeless Family Feud
In this week’s Torah Portion, Vayeira, we discuss the two sons of Abraham – Ishmael and Isaac and their historic sibling rivalry; a fundamental dispute that continues to this very day.
Read More
Messenger or Matchmaker
Ultimate commitment is when an independent thinker chooses to dedicate himself to a cause greater than himself, to be a messenger and extension of it.
Read More
The Plot Thickens – Jacob & Esau: Two Nations
We now have before us Abraham, father of all nations, Ishmael father of the Arab/Muslim world, Esau, father of the Roman/Christian/Western world and Jacob, father of the Jewish world.
Read More
Redigging the Wells of Love
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are the forefathers from whom we learn Jewish values. In Abraham we see a fountainhead of Jewish generosity and social commitment.
Read More
The Duplicity of the Jew
The Jew dresses in Esau’s clothes, but he refuses to allow the clothes to make the man.
Read More
The Determined Chooser
“Choice vs. Determinism.” How much control do we really have over our actions?
Read More
Father and Son
Despite the fact that they embodied two very different approaches to life, Isaac sensed that everything he is and has derives from Abraham, while Abraham saw in Isaac the fulfillment and realization of his deepest self.
Read More
A Legacy of Laughter
Toledot is no mere word: it is a word that embraces the cosmos, spans the whole of history, and describes our purpose in life.
Read More
The Married Life
The ultimate manifestation of divine truth requires a union of the spiritual and the physical.
Read More
The Frontier of Self
When we speak of the Akeidah, we also speak of those who trod the path this great deed blazed. Of the countless thousands who died for the creed of Abraham.
Read More
The Binding of Isaac: Event and Edifice
It is significant that Abraham bound his son on the site of the future altar, destined to embody the human commitment in the relationship between man and G-d.
Read More
Father and Son: Abraham and Isaac
Despite the fact that Abraham and Isaac embodied different approaches to life, the father and son had a respectful and symbiotic relationship. Learn a quick lesson on parents and children from this Torah story.
Read More
Vayeitzei: Marriage: Destiny or Chance?
Is marriage predestined or dependent on your efforts? There are many opinions but all agree that though G-d’s predestined it we have the power to change it.
Read More
Why We Bless Each Other With a “Good and Sweet Year”
The meaning behind the phrase “sweet new year” is examined in relation to the concepts of judgment and concealment.
Read More
Toldot: The Power of Human Exertion
Who fully grasps a concept, one who immediately comprehends it, or one who must struggle to understand it? Part five of Samech Vov discusses this question, and examines the value of human exertion.
Read More
Vayera: Religious Selfishness
Abraham gave us the power to challenge G-d, asking Him to shift destiny. This we must when it comes to standing next to fellow Jews in defiance against G-d.
Read More
Pekudei: Two Faces of Esau
The story of Esau’s wedding leads to a two-faced world where some people struggle with G-d and justice while others demonstrate great pride in their faith.
Read More
