Headlines »

January 18, 2025 – 9:00 pm | Comments Off on Why They Hate Us64 views

In a small village in Lithuania, a young boy named Berel received a bicycle as a gift. Berel loved his bike and drove it every day, including Shabbat. The Rabbi heard about this and announced that Berel should henceforth be referred to as Berel the goy—the non-Jew. Berel heard about …

Read the full story »
Parsha Insights

Where Biblical law and Torah tale is brought vividly to life

Concepts

The Jewish perspective on topical and controversial subjects

Life Cycle

Probing for meaning in our journey and its milestones.

Yearly Cycle

Discover depth and mystique in the annual Jewish festivals

Rabbi’s Desk

Seeking life’s lessons in news items and current events

Home » Archive by Category

Articles in Bereishit

Lech L’cha: Stand Up for faith

November 6, 2005 – 5:15 am | Comments Off on Lech L’cha: Stand Up for faith2,791 views
standing up for sitting down - innerstream

She Chose to Sit
Rosa Parks, “symbol of the civil rights movement,” became famous in 1955 when she refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on a bus in Montgomery Alabama. She was arrested, tried and convicted for violating a local ordinance but her small act of defiance …

Lech L’cha: Blood Is Thicker

November 6, 2005 – 5:13 am | Comments Off on Lech L’cha: Blood Is Thicker2,864 views
blood_thicker_water

Going To War
We All know the story. Marauding armies captured Lot when they conquered the rebellious cities of Sedom and Amorah. Upon hearing that Lot was in captivity, Avraham, his servant Eliezer and a handful of men, chased his captors in an effort to liberate Lot. Avraham succeeded and was …

Lech L’cha: The Truly Meaningful

November 6, 2005 – 5:08 am | Comments Off on Lech L’cha: The Truly Meaningful2,585 views
truly beautiful - innerstream

Oh, He Finally Noticed?
Our Parsha speaks of the journey made by Avraham and his wife Sarah to the land of Egypt. Fearing for Sarah’s safety in the face of Egyptian immorality, he said to her “ Behold I have noticed that you are beautiful”, and proceeded to outline a plan …

Noach: Eternal Rays of Light

November 2, 2005 – 3:32 pm | Comments Off on Noach: Eternal Rays of Light2,792 views
eternal rays of light - innerstream

The Sunset
Several years ago, I sat with my family at the shores of Lake Huron enjoying a picturesque sunset. The sun descended over the water in a spectacular ball of fire and painted the cloudless sky in deep hues of purple and red. Enchanted by the majesty of the moment, …

Vayera: Generosity Pays

November 2, 2005 – 1:33 am | Comments Off on Vayera: Generosity Pays2,823 views
generosity

A Pillar of Salt
G-d destroyed the city of Sedom but saved Lot and his family. As they were escaping the angel instructed them to look forward. “Don’t look behind you, lest you be swept away” (in G-d’s wrath.) Lot didn’t look back but his wife did and she was cruelly …

Lech L’cha: The Power of Blessing

November 2, 2005 – 1:13 am | Comments Off on Lech L’cha: The Power of Blessing2,909 views
blessing

Two Anomalies
In our Parsha G-d makes a powerful promise to Avraham, one we would all have loved to receive. “And I shall bless those who bless you, and he who curses you shall be cursed.” Upon examination, the reader will notice two anomalies.

Tweet

Chayei Sarah: Reasons of Infinity

November 2, 2005 – 12:51 am | Comments Off on Chayei Sarah: Reasons of Infinity2,636 views
Blue-Sky-and-White-Clouds

I am a Servant
In our Parsha we read that Eliezer, servant of Avraham, traveled to Charan to seek Rivkah’s hand in marriage to Yitzchak. When he appeared before her family he prefaced his presentation with the words, “I am a servant of Avraham.” The Talmud teaches that even the casual …

Noach: Heaven and Earth

October 2, 2005 – 12:36 am | Comments Off on Noach: Heaven and Earth3,079 views

Regret and Comfort
G-d created man and then placed him on earth. But when man rebelled against morality G-d had second thoughts and brought about the flood. In describing these second thoughts the Torah uses the word “Vayinachem”, a Hebrew word that has two meanings, (a) he regretted, (b) he was comforted. …