The Challenge of Letting Go of Children
“Lech L’cha: Heartbreak and Hopefulness as Children Go Off and Move On,” is spoken-word poetry to dramatize the wide array of thoughts and feelings that occur to Abram's parents.
Sacrifice My Son? What Was I Thinking?
Did you ever wonder what Abraham thought about in the years following his “almost-sacrifice” of his son Isaac? In this midrashic monologue based on Parashat Vayeira, we imagine Abraham’s inner struggles:
Where Was Sarah During the Akeidah (the Binding of Isaac)?
In Parashat Chayei Sarah (the life of Sarah), we learn that our biblical matriarch Sarah lived 127 years, she died, and Abraham purchased her burial cave in Hebron (Gen. 23:1-20). Sadly, the only Torah portion named after a woman provides few hints about her life or final days.
Isaac Remembers When He Ended It with Abraham
In Parashat Tol’dot, Isaac is described as having “weak eyes,” which is considered a metaphor for his inability to see what his twin sons Jacob and Esau needed from him (Gen. 27:1). Why was he so poorly prepared to father his boys? In this midrashic monologue, Isaac gives us a clue as he reflects upon his relationship with his own father.
The Act of Listening
Chapter 10 of Leviticus provides us with an extraordinary example of human growth. At the beginning of the parashah, Moses exercises his leadership by overseeing the ordination of Aaron and his sons and then supervising the sacrifices for which they are responsible.
We Are What We Eat
Focal Point
Any animal that has true hoofs, with clefts through the hoofs, and that chews the cud-such you may eat. . . . And the swine-although it has true hoofs, with the hoofs cleft through, it does not chew the cud: it is impure for you. (Leviticus 11:3, 11:7)
Why Should God Care About What We Eat?
What can God be thinking?
In this week's Torah portion, Moses is told--of all things--what the Israelites should and should not eat. Why should the Creator of the universe care?
What Happens in the Body Stays in the Body - A Guide for When it Doesn’t
The first chapter of this double portion, chapter 12 of Leviticus, is perplexing. It seems to stand by itself.