One of the main issues in this week’s Torah reading is the relationship between Yishmael and Yitzchak. Yishmael is the son of Abraham and Hagar,… Read More »Yishmael and the Dangers of Wildness and Mockery
One of the later – and, therefore, more difficult – tests given to Avraham Avinu (our forefather Abraham) was banishing his older son, Yishmael (Ishmael).… Read More »A Father’s Love
Two vivid images of hospitable men emerge from the blistering pages of this week’s parshah. In the first episode, the venerable Abraham, recuperating from his… Read More »Behind the Open Door
This weeks parsha, Vayera, begins with Hashem (G-d) ‘visiting’ Avrohom Avinu who was recuperating from his bris milah (circumcision). Hashem, not wanting to trouble Avrohom… Read More »Just a Little Water
The Story: Another day at school had finished. Sara met her older sister Mia in their usual spot in the school yard. Their Uncle Mendy… Read More »A Hospital Visit
“Avraham made a great feast on the day Yitzchak was weaned” (21:8) Although Rashi interprets “beyom higamal” as “on the day Yitzchak was weaned”,[1] the… Read More »Cutting The Apron Strings
M’lochim 2 4:1 This week’s Haftorah reveals to us an incredible dimension of faith and its astounding result. Out of deep appreciation to a Shunamite… Read More »Haftorah Commentary Parshas Vayera
And it came to pass after these things, that God tested Avraham… (Bereishis 22:1) PROBABLY THE VAST majority of people who have made history did… Read More »Infamous
This Week’s RRR (Relevant Religious Reference): “…Anyone whose wisdom exceeds his good deeds, his wisdom will not endure.” – Ethics of the Fathers (Avos), 3:12… Read More »The ‘Superior Dance’ of the ‘Religious’ Jew?
In Pashas Vayera, Sora, the 90-year-old wife of Avraham, receives a most surprising piece of information from an even more surprising source. She is told… Read More »Blessing In Disguise