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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayera
The Torah records for us at the end of the parsha the generations of Nachor, the brother of Avraham. Nachor remained behind in Aram when Avraham left for the Land of Israel. The Torah makes no mention of any connection between the family of Nachor and that of Avraham over the many decades of their living at seperate locations. But family is family and the birth of Rivkah into the family of Nachor signals Avraham that the future of Yitzchak and Avraham himself lies with Rivkah. The challenges of life, especially of Jewish life, take many different twists and turns. Finding the proper mate for Yitzchak will prove to be as great a challenge to Avraham as almost sacrificing Yitzchak on the altar of Moriah was. Avraham is forced to turn to the almost only relatively safe haven that he can find - the family of his brother Nachor. The idea and centrality of family in Jewish life and history is almost legendary. Avraham and Yitzchak wish to avoid the fate of Yishmael who became disconnected completely from Avraham's family. God sees the Jewish people as a family - loony uncle and all. The struggle of Avraham and of Yitzchak as well is to construct such a family that will bring blessing to itself and the world at large.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
