Torah Commentary

Following the death of Sara, Abraham purchases a burial plot and sends his servant to find a wife for Isaac.

The descent into Egypt and Jacob's death left his family in an alien culture, forced to find a context for their traditions within themselves.

Jacob's decision to bless each of his sons individually highlights the need to balance unity with diversity.

Jacob blessed his sons, not only according to each of their characters, but also with a unique piece of himself.

The complex character of Joseph raises questions about what it means to be righteous.

Living after the Civil Rights Movement, we, like the children of Jacob, have the opportunity to carry the ideals of previous generations into the future.

Both Jacob and Joseph understood the importance of imbuing their descendants with a commitment to the Land of Israel.

God's presence at Jacob's deathbed teaches us that our reactions to the situations in which we find ourselves determine our spiritual perceptions.

Isaac's birth, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the exile of Hagar and the ultimate sacrifice.