When a young Cambridge student visited the Rebbe in the 1970’s to ask philosophical questions, he didn’t expect to be challenged in reverse. The meeting that made a profound impact on future Rabbi Jonathan Sacks.
Rabbi Sacks’ Path to Leadership
R
The Charity Dilemma
T
Why did Eliezer drink before he satiated his camels? Isn’t that contrary to Torah law? And what does it teach us about our charitable donations?
Jew, American or Both?
J
Are we part and parcel of this country or do we stand apart? A deeper look at the behavior of Abraham and Isaac in this week’s parsha.
The First Jewish Graduate
T
A disproportionate amount of Jews are awarded the Nobel Prize for their intellectual achievements. Who was the first Jewish student?
Rebuilding the House of Israel
R
In recent years, Israel has rebuilt a two-thousand-year-old synagogue through groundbreaking technological revolutions. When Avraham arrived in Israel, he seems to have been less of a zealot than before. What is the connection between the two stories?
Bris or Bar Mitzvah?
B
Why do we celebrate a Bar Mitzvah more than a Bris, and what does it tell us about the deeper meaning of those events?
Looking for Partners
L
Why is Bris important? What meaning is there to something that G-d could have created in the first place?
The Pre-history of Shpilkes
T
Throughout history, Jewish people have wandered from place to place, whether coerced or not. We call it Shpilkes. Abraham had it too. But why did he disobey G-d’s command to settle in the Land of Israel?
G-d Knows What Is Best For You
G
Abraham and his wife attracted many followers to Judaism. What happened to them, and what is the message we can take from circumcision?
Are You Made of Stone or Brick?
A
When One World Trade Center was built, a discussion arose about the appropriate materials. What was the Tower of Babylon made of? What is the spiritual lesson?