God

Did God Write the Torah — and Does it Matter?

For many Jews, the Torah’s authority does not derive from being a divine document.

The Do’s and Dont’s of Talking to Converts

Tips from a Jew by choice who’s heard it all.

How Hasidic Wisdom Can Elevate Mealtime

Hasidic philosophy on how to eat “for the sake of heaven.”

Sephardic Cuisine: How It Emerged, Evolved, and Persisted

For centuries, Sephardic food was shaped not only by flavors and ingredients, but also by the need for Jews to conceal their identity.

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Next Torah Portion

Summary

In this Torah portion, three guests arrive at Abraham and Sarah’s tent. They inform Abraham that God will give the elderly Sarah a child. The prophesy comes true, and they name their son Isaac. God informs Abraham that Sodom and Gomorrah will be destroyed, though Abraham attempts to convince God otherwise. God tells Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham obliges but is told that it was a test of faith and offers a ram to sacrifice instead.

FULL SUMMARY
HAFTARAH SUMMARY

Parashat Vayera

Genesis 18:1-22:24

II Kings 4:1-37

Parashat Vayera: The Uniqueness of the Binding of Isaac

Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son should be seen as a unique situation never to be repeated.

Daf Yomi

A global project of Talmud study, Daf Yomi covers the entire 2,711 pages of the Talmud in 7.5 years of daily study. Click below to join by signing up for our Daily Dose of Talmud newsletter and to see our most recent Daf Yomi essays.


Recharge Now

Our weekly Shabbat newsletter, Recharge, features a thoughtful, timely essay to enrich your Shabbat. Here are a few of our recent pieces:

‘Bad Jews’

Self-judgment gets a bad rap. But is it such a terrible thing to appraise the life we’re living?

Abraham, the First Talmudist

In a patriarch, God seeks a moral partner.

Was Noah Just God’s Favorite?

With humanity all but destroyed, depictions of Noah emerge and diverge.


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