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By Tzvi Freeman Question: Jewish tradition tells that Abraham turned the world around by re-introducing monotheism and divine providence. Is there any archeological evidence of this social and theological revolution? Response: In his book, "The Eighth Day, The Hidden ...
By Menachem Posner Question: I learned in Ethics of Our Fathers 5:3. that G‑d tested Abraham with 10 tests and he withstood all of them. But the Mishnah does not tell us what those tests were. Can you perhaps enlighten me? Response: You are correct; Ethics does not tell us ...
By Baruch S. Davidson Question: The Torah records that Abraham gave presents to the children he had with Hagar. Rashi says that they were filled up with tumah (dark spiritual forces). Why would Abraham do that? Why not just throw it away and give something good to them? ...
By Baruch S. Davidson Question: The average person, like myself, has been taught that Abraham had two sons: Isaac and Ishmael. The book of Genesis, however, mentions that Abraham had many sons. Do we know who these individuals are today? Did they carry on the Jewish ...
By Tzvi Freeman …among other things, I keep on asking myself, “Why did I have to go through all that?” I wasted the first 30 years of my life learning destructive habits
By Chani Benjaminson Abraham, 1813-1638 BCE, is considered the first Jew. A native of Mesopotamia, he rejected the idolatrous ways of his ancestors and contemporaries; he was the first person to use his own cognitive abilities to discover and recognize the one G‑d. He then ...
By Tzvi Freeman It’s the first dialogue there is between a father and his son in the Torah. It starts like this: Isaac to Abraham: "My father?" Abraham to Isaac: "Here I am, my son"
By Menachem Posner Question: In this week's Torah portion, after Abraham's victorious return from battle, we read:"Melchizedek the king of Salem brought out bread and wine, and he was a priest to the Most High God. And [Melchizedek] blessed him, and he said, "Blessed be ...
By Menachem Posner Question: As the name Jerusalem rolls off my tongue, my mind conjures images of stone cobbled streets, upon which ancient prophets and kings once trod, and more history than a thousand books could ever hold. I was wondering what the name actually means ...
By Baruch S. Davidson Since we were given the mitzvah of tzitzit in Abraham's merit, we wear the tallit specifically for "his" prayer--Shacharit...
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