Rabbi Dr. Bradley Shavit Artson

Joseph's warning to his brothers not to quarrel on their way instructs us as well in our relationships with our families and the larger Jewish community.

Joseph reminds us that our perspective of reality is limited compared to the ultimate meaning that God perceives.

Joseph's experience in prison teaches him, and us, that we succeed and flourish when we support those around us.

We can learn from Jacob's encounter with Esau to meet others as we would meet God.

To be fully educated and human we must study a range of disciplines--humanities and sciences, secular and Judaic.

Reflected in the names of her children, Leah grows to recognize her own worth, independent of Jacob's feelings for her.

Abraham's servant teaches us the power of spontaneous prayer, a concept that challenges our contemporary focus on consistency and conformity.

Honesty is a value only insofar as it leads to growth, compassion and peace.

As Abram and God demonstrate, Judaism understands faith as deep trust despite doubt, confusion, and suffering.

The seven Noahide commandments mediate God's love for all of humanity and God's unique relationship with the Jewish people.