Patriarchs, The

Question: When blessing a daughter it is traditional to say, "May G‑d make you like Sarah, Rebecca, Leah and Rachel." Why aren't Bilhah and Zilpah mentioned? I know they were "hand maidens" but they must have been special in order to give birth to four of...

Question: What are the birthdates and yahrtzeits of our Patriarchs and Matriarchs? And do we know the years they were born and died? Answer: We do not know exact birthdates and yahrtzeits for all of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs, but here is the informati...

Last week's Parshah concluded with the epochal exchange between Moses and G-d over the mystery of human suffering, in which Moses protested, "My G-d, why have You done evil to this people?" The opening verses of this week's Parsha contain -- we assume -- ...

Abraham and Ishmael, Abraham and Isaac--a study in the difference between likeness and semblance

According to the Talmud, the three Patriarchs of the Jewish people-- Abraham (1813-1638 BCE), Isaac (1713-1533 BCE) and Jacob (1653-1506 BCE)--all were born and passed away in the month of Nissan.

Likkutei Sichos, Vol. V, p. 57ff. I. As mentioned on frequent occasions, it is doubtful that [any of] the names of the weekly Torah portions are cited in the Talmud.Megillah 29b does mention the name of readings VeAtah Tetzaveh and Ki Sissa, and Megillah ...

How could Jacob have studied the Torah, if it was given to Moses centuries later? Did he learn, in advance, how Laban would trick him on his wedding night or how Joseph would thrown in a pit and sold as a slave by his brothers?

Sometimes it can be frustrating being a Jew. No matter what you do, one of your grandfathers or grandmothers has already done it. How can one ever do anything original with such ancestors?

Is it a self-improvement thing, like a woodworking class or a therapy session? Is it a duty, like obeying the law of the land and going to work in the morning?

Explore our forefather Abraham, in this quick quiz.