PARSHA POSTS: LECH LECHA

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Moshe-Mordechai van Zuiden

Dec 2, 2024, 7:11 AM

Abraham was kind, Isaac was straight, and Jacob was honest—who are we kidding?

Can their actions be justified without us becoming apologists? Abraham delivered the 'unkindest cuts' to his household (circumcision) and was willing to slaughter his Jewish son on an altar; this is kindness? Isaac hung out with his wicked son Esau; that...

Nov 20, 2024, 12:07 AM

A Pogrom in 2024?!

The Struggle You're in Today is Developing the Strength You Need for Tomorrow Kristalnacht came to Amsterdam last week. Just when we thought we were starting to see the turning point of Israel’s War on Terror, last night’s vicious attack...

Nov 12, 2024, 3:23 AM

Following Abraham’s Lead – Lech Lecha 5785

Have you ever watched the TV show “30 Rock”? There’s a scene from that show that comes to mind when I think about this past week. Tina Fey turns to Alec Baldwin, her boss, and with an exasperated look...

Nov 8, 2024, 7:49 PM

A Biblical Response to the Election: Lech Lecha 5785

A Biblical Response to the Election Lech Lecha 5785 Supporters of Donald Trump who are grounded in the Torah may be quick to crow that the election results were a fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham, “I will bless those who...

William Hamilton

Nov 8, 2024, 5:06 PM

Pain gives way to Promise

14-year-old Paulina tells of her father’s heroism. He was a courageous Israeli police officer who lost his life last October 7, rescuing fellow officers from a terrorist-overrun police station. “At Shiva, another officer told us, “I was the last...

Nov 8, 2024, 2:59 PM

From the Dollar Line – a Lech Lecha Moment

Exactly 35 years ago today the 7th of Cheshvan 5750 (Sunday, November 5, 1989), I traveled from my residence (at the time) in West Hartford, Connecticut to Crown Heights to participate in the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s Sunday Dollars initiative. I must admit I...

Ben-Tzion Spitz

Nov 8, 2024, 9:02 AM

A rose by any other name? (Lech Lecha)

The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their proper name. -- Confucius God reveals Himself to Abraham in this week’s Torah reading (Genesis Ch. 17, verse 1) with the name “Shadai” (letters Shin, Daled, Yud). Centuries later, when...

Menachem Creditor

Nov 8, 2024, 8:55 AM

Lech Lecha: It Begins (Again) with Us

In the story of Genesis, we initially hear about individuals who function as part or as representatives of a group. Adam and Eve represent the birth of humanity, and Cain and Abel symbolize the emergence of different human activities...

Nov 8, 2024, 8:45 AM

Lech Lecha: To Be Human

'Abraham in the Desert', 19th Century Illustration by H. Lisan, Photographed by Ken Walsh

The imperative לך לך מארצך, ‘go from your land’, begins the chronicle of the Jewish people. These key words in Jewish history are often translated in literal, physical terms, a command from G-d to Avram to leave his father...

Nov 7, 2024, 9:49 PM

The Power of Example (Lech Lecha, Covenant & Conversation)

So familiar are we with the story of Abraham that we do not always stop to think about what a strange turn it is in the biblical narrative. If we fail to understand this, though, we may fail to...

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