The Highs And Lows of Jerusalem

This week’s parsha and the conclusion of last week’s parsha are a study in contrasts. Parshat VaYeira concludes with the epic and otherworldly story of the Akeidah. As if out of nowhere, God appears to Avraham and tells him to offer his son as a sacrifice. According to the midrash several supernatural events occurred along […]

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The City of Sight

After the Torah teaches us the laws of dividing of the Land of Israel amongst the tribes and families, it reminds us that Moshe himself will not merit to enter the Land. God tells Moshe: Ascend these heights of Abarim and view the land that I have given to the Jewish people. When you have […]

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A Growth Oriented City

In its list of sin-offerings, the Torah has a unique introduction.  Instead of beginning with the usual contingent situation of “if a person sins,” the Torah begins with the phrase “asher nasi yecheta” which would normally be translated: “when the leader sins.”  Rashi, though, following a rabbinic reading, says that the word “asher” in this […]

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Encountering God in the Guests of Yerushalayim

This week’s parsha begins with an anomaly.  God appears to Avraham who is sitting by at the entrance of his tent. Suddenly, Avraham seems to abandon God by running towards the three travelers.  Bothered by this seeming lack of respect to God, the Talmud concludes from this story that “Bringing guests into one’s home is […]

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