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.
Jew, American or Both?
J
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?
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?
If You Judge – Judge Favorably
I
Reish Lakish and Rabbi Yochanan had different takes on Noach’s righteousness. What does their background tell us about their interpretation? Should we be a Reish Lakish or Rabbi Yochanan?
Absentee Ballots Don’t Count
A
In America, every person has the right to vote, even if they cannot make it to the polls on elections day. Israel gives no such accommodation. What about Judaism? Can you be a “Jewish Absentee”?
The Origin of Depression
T
The numbers of depression among youth have skyrocketed in recent months. What does Judaism have to say about the importance of joy?