The short and disturbing episode of Noach and his sons after the Mabul presents us with an opportunity to explore questions about making bad or good choices and the factors–such as alcohol, trauma and peer pressure–that can influence those decisions.
The short and disturbing episode of Noach and his sons after the Mabul presents us with an opportunity to explore questions about making bad or good choices and the factors–such as alcohol, trauma and peer pressure–that can influence those decisions.
The Sfat Emet understands the words “Lekh Lekha” as a call for constant movement towards spiritual growth and renewal–a fight against habituation and staleness. As we listen to the call of Lekh Lekha, what habituation must we counter? In what aspects of our spiritual lives can we find hitchadshut?
The Sfat Emet understands the words “Lekh Lekha” as a call for constant movement towards spiritual growth and renewal–a fight against habituation and staleness. As we listen to the call of Lekh Lekha, what habituation must we counter? In what aspects of our spiritual lives can we find hitchadshut?
“Avraham came to to eulogize Sarah and to weep over here.” What did Avraham say in Sarah’s eulogy? What can we learn from that? What will they say in your eulogy? What do you want them to say? Let’s think these questions through together.
Avraham’s declaration that he is both “a stranger and a resident” (ger v’toshav) among the Bnei Het invites us–with the help of Rav Soloveitchik–to ask ourselves: To what extent are we/should we be a part of our broader, non-Jewish culture and to what extent are we/should we be apart from it?
“Avraham came to to eulogize Sarah and to weep over here.” What did Avraham say in Sarah’s eulogy? What can we learn from that? What will they say in your eulogy? What do you want them to say? Let’s think these questions through together.
Avraham’s declaration that he is both “a stranger and a resident” (ger v’toshav) among the Bnei Het invites us–with the help of Rav Soloveitchik–to ask ourselves: To what extent are we/should we be a part of our broader, non-Jewish culture and to what extent are we/should we be apart from it?
The midrash highlights the unique holiness of Eretz Yisrael in pointing out, twice, that there are special angels designated for the Holy Land. This limmud opens us up for a discussion about our own connections with and appreciation for the kedushah of Eretz Yisrael.
The midrash highlights the unique holiness of Eretz Yisrael in pointing out, twice, that there are special angels designated for the Holy Land. This limmud opens us up for a discussion about our own connections with and appreciation for the kedushah of Eretz Yisrael.
Based on a selection of commentaries addressing Yaakov’s fears before encountering Esav, we consider our own fears, what they say to us and how we can overcome them. We also ask what is the relationship between trust in Hashem and anxiety about the future?
Based on a selection of commentaries addressing Yaakov’s fears before encountering Esav, we consider our own fears, what they say to us and how we can overcome them. We also ask what is the relationship between trust in Hashem and anxiety about the future?
Rashi sees the fact that Yosef’s brothers could not speak with him peacefully as a partial compliment: at least they were not hypocrites. What’s the significance of being morally consistent? And what if we could follow Rashi and see goodness even in one’s flaws?
Rashi sees the fact that Yosef’s brothers could not speak with him peacefully as a partial compliment: at least they were not hypocrites. What’s the significance of being morally consistent? And what if we could follow Rashi and see goodness even in one’s flaws?
פרשת ויגש True spiritual growth requires two paradoxical commitments: never being satisfied with your level while using whatever growth you achieve to elevate others. The Kedushat Levi teaches that descent enables ascent, and ascent is meant to lift others.
פרשת ויגש True spiritual growth requires two paradoxical commitments: never being satisfied with your level while using whatever growth you achieve to elevate others. The Kedushat Levi teaches that descent enables ascent, and ascent is meant to lift others.
At the end of his life Yaakov blessed all of his sons, “each according to his blessing.” The Ohr HaChaim explains that every person has unique qualities and to give someone an appropriate blessing is to help bring out those unique qualities. What would a unique bracha look like for you?
At the end of his life Yaakov blessed all of his sons, “each according to his blessing.” The Ohr HaChaim explains that every person has unique qualities and to give someone an appropriate blessing is to help bring out those unique qualities. What would a unique bracha look like for you?
