Isaac
What Only a Father Can Do
Father’s Day is a delightful blend of a secular and religious holiday, combining consumerism with the Biblical mandate to “Honor thy father.” But is it artificially amplified? Are fathers really that important? Mothers are clearly...
Abraham Accords Signals the Reconciliation Between Isaac and Ishmael
The Torah says that Ishmael was a wild child, whose bad behavior caused him to be kicked out of the household of Abraham. Sarah sees Ishmael’s evil practices and banishes him and his mother Hagar out of their home. Ishmael goes on to...
Isaac and Rebekah
Genesis tells that Rebekah married Isaac and he loved her greatly. She comforted him when Sarah, his mother, died. Isaac and Rebekah birthed two sons - Esau, father of the Edomites and the Amalekites, and Jacob. After wrestling...
The Portion of Toldot
Our portion tells the story of Jacob and Esau, from birth through their famous feud. It also includes Isaac’s experiences in the land of Gerar, where he re-digs the wells of his father.
The Portion of Chayei Sarah
This week’s portion focuses on the death of Sarah and Abraham’s quest to find a wife for their son, Isaac. Although Abraham disapproves of the local women, he does not want Isaac to leave the Land of Israel to find his wife. Abraham thus...
Isaac and Ishmael: a Tale of Two Sons
The Torah now relates the birth of Isaac, long-awaited son to Abraham and Sarah. Named for the laughter of joy his birth elicited in his father, Isaac is circumcised at eight days old, just as God commanded Abraham. As he grows, however,...
The Portion of Vayeira
Our portion continues the story of Abraham as he establishes the foundation for the Jewish nation. Having circumcised himself at God’s command, he now encounters three visitors as he recuperates. Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed in this...
