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...
Why Do So Many Bible Stories Take Place at a Well?
This is the first story in the Torah to take place at a well, but not the last. Here, Eliezer travels to a foreign land, stops at a well where he encounters a future bride, a series of hurried movements, and running around to bring news...
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...