Judaism

“Reaching Out to Family Members”
(updated and revised from Chayei Sarah 5765-2004)

Despite the fact that all his family who still resided in his native Mesopotamia were steeped in idolatry, Abraham decides to send Eliezer back to his homeland to find a bride for his son, Isaac. There is much we can learn from Abraham>s perseverance and persistence to reach out to and retrieve his family members who were so distant from his faith and his traditions.

“The Benefit of Broad-heartedness”
(updated and revised from Vayeira 5765-2004)

According to tradition, G-d remembers Sarah, who miraculously gives birth to Isaac in her old age, because Abraham prayed in a special way. It is broad-hearted prayer, where we pray for others aside from ourselves, that is most efficacious.

“Was Hagar Abused?”
(updated and revised from Lech Lecha 5765-2004)

A desperate Sarai gives her handmaiden, Hagar, to Abram to be his wife and have a child on her behalf. When Hagar becomes pregnant, she begins to mock Sarai. Sarai abuses Hagar, and Hagar flees. Is it conceivable that our venerated matriarch Sarai really abused her vulnerable handmaiden, Hagar?

“Eleven Lessons from Noah’s Ark”
(updated and revised from Noah 5765-2004)

There are many lessons that we may learn from Noah and his ark that come from many different sources. This improbable message from the internet, shares with us eleven important life lessons that may be derived from Noah’s ark.

“P’roo ur’voo,--Jewish Attitudes Toward Procreation”
(updated and revised from Bereshith-Simchat Torah 5765-2004) 

As we once again begin the Book of Genesis, we learn about the central mitzvah of procreation, "p’roo ur’voo," (Genesis 1:28). Judaism diverges from much of Christianity in its forthright and positive attitude towards sexuality. Not only is bearing children a mitzvah in Judaism, but even pleasure in sexuality is a mitzvah. Furthermore, even those who are not blessed with children can bear spiritual fruit, by becoming teachers of Torah or by supporting the study of Torah.

“Sukkot - The Festival of Joy”
(updated and revised from Sukkot I 5767-2006)

The holiday of Sukkot, known as the “Festival of Joy,” was renowned in ancient times for its most festive celebration of Simchat Beit Hashoeva, the festival of the water libation. Around the year 95 B.C.E. when the King of Judea, Alexander Yannai, attempted to change the ritual of water libation, he was pelted by the traditionalists, leading to a massacre of many of the celebrants. While even the minute detail of the Sukkot rituals were sacred to the ancients, unfortunately, most contemporary Jews fail to celebrate Sukkot in any manner, and know absolutely nothing of this very special joyous festival.