Torah is greater than priesthood and kingship, for kingship is acquired with 30 qualities, priesthood is acquired with 24, whereas the Torah is acquired with… Read More »Mishna 6: Ways 34-36(a): The Human Challenge – Part I
The city of Sodom and the surrounding region were notorious for their cruel practices and laws. But before G-d brought destruction upon them, He first… Read More »Kind to the Cruel?
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