Weekly Torah Commentary
Parashat Lech-Lecha: Summary
Abram and Sarai follow God's call to journey to Canaan, where the covenant between God and Abraham is affirmed.
Feeling Another’s Pain
As God promises to accompany Jacob into exile, we learn that sometimes the challenge of being fully present and sharing in someone's pain is greater than relieving their suffering.
Achievement And Action
Joseph teaches us to use our material success in the service of those who are needy.
Seeing The Bigger Picture
Joseph reminds us that our perspective of reality is limited compared to the ultimate meaning that God perceives.
Exile–The Absence Of Jewish Context
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.
All In The Family
Jacob's decision to bless each of his sons individually highlights the need to balance unity with diversity.
What Is Your Blessing?
Jacob blessed his sons, not only according to each of their characters, but also with a unique piece of himself.
Don’t Just Stand There — Do Something!
Fear paralyzes us, rendering us incapable of addressing our most pressing problems.
Carrying On After The Golden Age
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.