Be'er Sheva
- Abraham, Akedah, Angels, Argument, Be'er Sheva, Bereshit, Estrangement, Hagar, Ishmael, Komps Kaos, Lot, Parsha, Sacrifice, Sarah, Sodom, Strange, Strangers, Theophany, Vayera
Strange, Stranger, & Estranged
Our parsha this week begins with the story of three strangers – angels, perhaps a theophany, men, messengers – who are unknown to Abraham and Sarah. After laying out the spread for these…
- 5779, Abraham, Altar, Alter, Be'er Sheva, Bereshit, Horns, Komps Kaos, Lekh Lekha, Parsha, Refuge, Sacrifice, Torah
Altering Altars
Did you notice how many altars have already been built in the Torah? Bereshit: Abel & Cain offer first fruits and animals on the altar Noach: Noah builds an altar after the flood…
- Be'er Sheva, Benjamin, Bereshit, Descendants, Egypt, Goshen, HUC, Jacob, Joseph, Land, Parsha, Strangers, Temporary, Vayigash
Strangers in a Strange Land
With my winter break coming too swiftly to a close, I have returned to Cincinnati. For a few days, at least, I am still blissfully free to visit museums, hang out with my…
- Aramean, Be'er Sheva, Birthright, Blessing, Esau, Isaac, Jacob, Laban, Matriarchs, Parsha, Patriarchs, Rebekah, Toldot, Twins
Twins & Enemies
Although he is the patriarch inhabiting the least biblical space, Isaac’s name arouses admiration, suspicion, and scandal. This week’s parsha, Tol’dot (generations), reminds us of what we’ve just read: that Isaac is Abraham’s…
- Abimelech, Abraham, Akedah, Be'er Sheva, Destruction, Genealogy, Hagar, Isaac, Ishmael, Laughter, Lot, Moab, Parsha, Prayer, Sarah, Sodom, Temple Mount, Vayera
The Bible is…Funny?!
This week’s parsha (Va-yera) starts with a story about laughter – well, after being preceded by three particularly mysterious characters. They are vexing in the lack of characterization, and so throughout the centuries…