Abraham’s concern
There is a puzzling sequence of verses in this week’s Torah portion: In Genesis 15:5, the Almighty promises a very old and barren Abraham that he will have a huge progeny – as many as the countless stars in the heavens. Abraham fully trusts in this promise and God accounted this faith as righteousness (15:6). […]
Transforming negativity
“I will bless those who bless you, and those who curse you I will curse… (Genesis 12:3). The Hebrew terms here break symmetry in an interesting way. The root for ‘bless’ (BRCH) is used twice in the verse. But there are two different Hebrew roots for cursing (KLL and ARR). God says: Those who curse […]
SHEMA YISRAEL: Hearing the Voice of Hashem
“Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One” (Deuteronomy 6:4). The Torah directs us to listen to God – to seek to hear His voice. There are actually numerous ways that God speaks to us today – we may not always be paying attention. This lecture explores some of the many manifestations […]