Thank G-d!  The Akeida has a happy ending! You may remember it from Hebrew School. Or maybe you couldn’t wait and you finished the story! At the last minute G-d tells Abraham to stop. (Genesis 22, 10-13) “You passed the test.  Now I know that you fear G-d! And that’s all I ever wanted.” … […]

Hi, … It’s one of the most famous stories in the Torah. And one of the most difficult. The Akeida.  The “Binding of Isaac”. We could spend weeks on it.  Full time.  Not just a minute a day! But here are some thoughts. G-d commands Abraham to bring his son Isaac as an offering. G-d […]

Hi, We’re about to start one of the most fundamental and challenging stories in the Torah. Abraham is tested.  Challenged. The story of the Akedah.  The “Binding of Isaac”. (Genesis, 22) Abraham is told to bring his son Isaac as an offering to G-d. Before we get to the story, a few words about challenges […]

Hi, Mazal Tov! It’s a boy! Isaac is born to Abraham and Sarah. (Genesis, 21:1) Isaac represents the Jewish future. … Earlier, Abraham had married Sarah’s servant Hagar. And they had a son, Ishmael. But G-d had told Abraham that Sarah will have a child. And that the Jewish People will come from Isaac. … […]

Hi, Here’s a follow up to yesterday’s Torah Minute. And it takes place in Vienna in 1927. Sigmund Freud writes the following. “Civilization has little to fear from educated people… In them replacement of religious motives for civilized behavior, by other, secular motives, would proceed unobtrusively.” Not quiet what the Rabbi said in Berlin! Picture […]

Hi, Here’s a fascinating story that took place in Berlin. It was before anyone could dream of what would happen in Germany. One of the greatest Torah scholars of Eastern Europe was visiting Berlin. And was invited to speak at a yeshiva. The Rabbi spoke to the rabbinical students in Berlin about today’s story. … […]

Hi, Sorry about the suspense! What’s the end of the Lot and Sodom story? We left off with Lot’s home being surrounded by the “people of Sodom.” … Then G-d intervenes. The people are struck with a form of blindness.  And they leave. (Genesis, 19:11-16) … It turns out, that these guests were really angels, […]

Hi, There’s one more story about Lot. And unfortunately, it’s on my mind today. We had seen that Lot was hosting two guests. The “people of Sodom” surrounded his home in order to sexually assault them. Lot’s response? Shocking! He went out and pleaded with them.  (Genesis; 4-8) “I beg you… do not act wickedly. […]

Here’s a Jewish perspective. The Torah gives us a glimpse into the decadence of Sodom. (Genesis, 19:1-5) Lot, Abraham’s nephew, has two guests in his home. And after he feeds them, the trouble starts. Word goes around that there are strangers in town! “The people of Sodom” surround the house. Not just a few “rotten […]

I have to share this story with you! It’s a follow up to the last few “Torah Minutes.” … There are quite a few CTN participants who have gotten much more involved in Jewish tradition and observance than the way they were raised. And I always love meeting their parents – many of whom have […]