Sarah dies at the age of 127 and Avraham approaches the “sons of Heth” to purchase the Machpelah Cave in Hebron. The Torah spends what seems to be an inordinate amount of text to describe the negotiations, the agreement and the amount of money necessary for this purchase. The Midrash Rabba gives an explanation for … Read more
The Shorashim Torah Study and Overview Guide. Chayei Sarah (Genesis 23:1–25:18) — Sarah dies at age 127. The text describes the age that she dies in an unusual way: ” And the life of Sarah was one hundred years and twenty years and seven years; [these were] the years of the life of Sarah….”. why?( … Read more
Rabbi Chanan Morisson A Paradoxical Blessing After Abraham passed the test of the Akeidah, the Binding of Isaac, an angel called out to him: “God states: I have sworn by My Essence, since you performed this act and did not withhold your only son, I will bless you greatly and increase your descendants like the … Read more
Miracles come into being in pre-existing vessels. The Torah portion of Vayera (Genesis 18:1–22:24) and the Haftorah (2 Kings 4:1-37) connected to it, teach much on the relationship between hessed, deeds of loving-kindness, and miracles. In this Torah portion Abraham and Sarah are told that they would miraculously have a son. They are told about … Read more
by Rabbi Chanan Morrison. When Abraham was 99 years old, God appeared to him, announcing the mitzvah of brit milah (circumcision). “I am God Almighty. Walk before Me and be complete. I will make a covenant (brit) between Me and you.” (Gen. 17:1-2) What was Abraham’s immediate reaction? He literally fell on his face. The … Read more
The Haftorah that is read from the book of Prophets, after the reading of the Torah portion, is intrinsically linked to that same Torah portion. Throughout our history, the ruling authorities which held sway over the conquered Jewish people, saw the reading of the weekly Torah portion as a spiritual threat. The Jews will endeavor … Read more
This week’s Haftara, the weekly reading from the prophets, is from Isaiah Chapter 40:27- 41:16. What is the connection between this selection and the Torah portion which describes the beginning of Abraham’s journey found in Lech Lecha (Genesis 12:1–17:27). Most importantly what is the meaning of “the worm of Jacob”? Listen to this week’s podcast: … Read more
On the verse “Noah ( Noach) was a righteous man, perfect in his generations (Genesis 6:9), our sages disagree regarding its intent. Rashi says, “Among our sages, there are those who interpret this as being in praise of Noah: If he was righteous in his generation then certainly he would have been even more righteous … Read more
