In many ways, Parashat Toldot can be thought of as “the parasha of brachot,” since both Ya’akov and Eisav received blessings from their father Yitzchak. While … more

Rebekah loved Jacob. She had received an oracle from G-d in which she was told: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger … more

When I was a young boy, I had two distinct images of a strong man. One was of Charles Atlas. If you remember him, you are no longer a youngster. Pictures of Charles Atlas appeared on the rear … more

It was the loneliest, most depressing night of my life. After almost a year of training, with only a couple of days to go before getting my bars and finishing officer’s course, I had been ordered … more

Avimelekh, king of Gerar, is a tragic figure. He is a king, but is very insecure. He thinks his position allows him to do things no civilian could get away with, but every time he gets called on his … more

G-d appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men were standing over against him; and … more

He was an old man, frail, tired, and bereaved. News of Hitler’s advancing army preoccupied him, and he was overwhelmed, if not broken, by the requests for advice he was receiving from hundreds of … more

One of the many challenging verses in our parasha, Vayera, concerns the nature of Yishmael’s behavior at the moment he is about to die of thirst: “And G-d heard kol ha’na’ar (the lad’s … more

Rabbi Yehuda Amital, the founding rosh yeshiva of Yeshivat Har Etzion, was known to say at the beginning of the new cycle of the Torah: “I don’t understand anything in parshat … more

I n stately prose the Torah’s opening chapter describes the unfolding of the universe, the effortless creation of a single creative Force. Repeatedly we read, “And G-d said, Let there … more