While there is unanimity among Jewish religious thinkers that the primary covenant, Brit Sinai, took place at Sinai, there is disagreement about its precursor. In his Kol Dodi Dofek, Rabbi Yosef Dov ...

In many ways, the Noah and creation stories are parallel, helping explain God’s exhortation to Abraham: “Lech lecha me’artzecha” (Go for yourself from your land; Genesis 12:1). *In both, water plays a ...

Jewish tradition places great significance on names. With the addition of just one letter, at the age of 99, Abram becomes Abraham and his transformation to the father of many nations is confirmed. At ...

There are things I have no ability to comprehend. whose ears may never hear my name. It may be best not to think about it. This infinity, this overuse of the word forever. I sit here, evidence of the ...

Exactly twenty years ago this Shabbos, my sister and I stood before the bimah of our conservative shul for our B’nai Mitzvah. Before the congregation, we gave our own interpretation of this week’s ...

Before we get to Lech Lecha, let’s take a look at the timespan of the whole Torah as compared to Parshat Bereishit and Parshat Noach. We will not count the first two pesukim – “Bereishit bara…” and “V ...

This week’s Torah portion is Lech-Lecha: Genesis 12:1 – 17:27 Lech-Lecha, the divine command to Abraham in Genesis 12:1, is often translated as “Go forth.” But the Hebrew is richer and much more ...

There is a story told of a man who was captured behind enemy lines during war. To his horror, he was sentenced to death by firing squad. However, the captain gave the man another option. He told him, ...

Parshat Noach contained the story of humanities downfall, and eventual rebirth; not even ten generations from Noach had passed before the world sank once more to the precipice of utter calamity with ...

In this week’s Torah portion, “Lech Lecha,” we learn about Abraham – arguably one of the most remarkable figures to ever walk this Earth. Living in an ancient, savage world of idol worship, he was the ...