Dental Admonition
The Medrash tells us many things not found in the written text of the Torah. It is, in fact, crucial to our understanding, because otherwise many passages could be misunderstood and misconstrued. Sometimes, however, statements in the Medrash appear to conflict with...
The Rewards of Honesty
In Jewish sources, our forefather Yaakov is always identified with the character trait of honesty, of dedicating himself to truth. Sometimes this seems difficult to understand -- after all, he deceived his father in order to claim the blessings of the firstborn son....
The Test of Time
The Torah reading this week begins: "These are the generations of Yitzchak ben Avraham, Avraham fathered Yitzchak" [25:19]. It seems redundant to say that "Avraham fathered Yitzchak" -- the Torah has, by this time, presented in great detail the circumstances of...
Building from the Dirt
Following the death of his wife Sarah, Avraham purchases the Machpela cave from Ephron the Hittite to use as a burial site. Ephron makes it sound as if he is prepared to give the cave to Avraham, but in the end takes a tremendous sum for the property. At the end of...
Elimelech – American Hero
Have you ever heard of Elimelech Goldberg? Don't worry, I hadn't either. [Dr. Elimelech Goldstein, the volunteer medical director of Hatzalah of Baltimore, is a friend and former roommate, but that's another story entirely.] But if you're familiar with the Orthodox...
A “Lot” of Losses
In this week's reading, we learn about two wealthy individuals. Avram, as he was then called, gave up his local work and reputation to move to the land of Cana'an, where, he was told, he would receive much greater blessings. And, as promised, he prospered. The Torah...
