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23 03, 2006

Lekh Lekha

By Rabbi Enid C. Lader|2006-03-23T07:34:29-05:00March 23, 2006|

‘And You Shall Be a Blessing’
By Enid C. Lader

In this week’s Torah portion, Lech Lecha, God tells Abram to ‘Go for yourself from your land, from your birthplace, and from the house of your father.’ (Gen. 12:1) Sarna, in the JPS Commentary on Genesis, writes: ‘The enormity of God’s demand and the agonizing decision to be made are effectively conveyed through the cluster of terms arranged in ascending order according to the severity of the
sacrifice involved: [leaving his] country, extended family, nuclear family.’ Ramban suggests that each level helps Abram narrow the focus of God’s call’not only leave his country, not only leave his kinfolk, but also leave his father. Abram will be continuing the journey his father began in Ur of the Chaldeans as he leaves Haran for the land that God will show him.

God’s call to Abram is accompanied by a list of seven promises:

‘I will Read More >

Noah

By ahsilver|2006-03-23T07:30:43-05:00March 23, 2006|

By Halina Rubinstein

The story of Noah is a second creation story, a second opportunity for both God and man to correct past mistakes. God sees the evil that men have done and regrets that he created man (Genesis 6:6) and determines to destroy all of life. This would presuppose the belief that God is not omniscient in that God could not predict this eventuality. Medieval philosophers grappled with this problem as do we moderns. What is of interest here is God’s covenant with Noah.

After emerging from the ark, God made a covenant with Noah and showed a rainbow as a sign that He would never again send a flood to destroy all living things. Traditionally and to this day, there is a blessing that may be recited when one sees a rainbow: Baruch atah adonai elohenu melech ha-olam, zocher habrit v’n-eeman b’vrito, v’kayam b’ma-amaro,

Blessed are you, God, Ruler of the universe, who Read More >

Bereshit

By Rabbi Irwin Huberman|2006-03-23T07:19:06-05:00March 23, 2006|

Looking Beyond Our Neighborhood
By Irwin Huberman

In the beginning . . . . the Torah reminds us not only to love our neighbor, but also to extend compassion to those in need throughout the world.

In recent months the television news has been dominated by a seemingly endless stream of images from New Orleans to Pakistan, as we witness the devastation caused by hurricanes, earthquakes and other natural disasters. It is often hard to grasp the significance of these events. For many, the non-stop images, the casualty totals and the ongoing requests for assistance have led to a feeling of numbness and powerlessness. It is often too easy to retreat and to turn a blind eye.

One of the most important arguments in Judaism, based on this week’s parashah, takes place in the Talmud as Rabbi Akiva and Ben Azzai debate what is the most important principle of Judaism. It was Read More >

All shall unite to do God's will with an open heart.

All shall unite to do God's will with an open heart.

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