Vayera

Why would G‑d finally give Abraham a son and then take him away? Why snuff out Isaac’s life before he’s had any children of his own? Abraham and Sarah would have no children or grandchildren to continue their legacy of monotheism.

Sometimes, doing our bit means going out of our tent, our comfort zone, and demonstrating our determination to do all we can to turn that hope into our reality.

Just as every parent would forego personal honor and willingly wait while you tend to his or her child, this, too, is G‑d’s greatest pleasure.

Have you ever made great plans that went down the drain?

Why couldn’t G‑d have chosen an organ common to both women and men to brand our Jewish identity?

At various junctures in our lives, we may face the difficult decision of doing what we know is best, or conforming to what others expect. How do you choose?

Does your name define you? Do you know what your name means? Would you consider it a goal to live up to the meaning of your name? My English name is Stacey, the meaning of which is not fit to print in a Jewish magazine...

As we cuddle and kiss, feed and bathe, dress and educate, G‑d wants us to always keep in mind the importance of our task and the importance of raising our children with joy.

Speaking of sacrifice, I had a frightening epiphany one day last month. I used to think of myself as an altruistic person, but a little objective reflection forced me to conclude that that wasn't the case at all...

I read how Lot is saved and his wife turns into a pillar of salt. And I search to see my life in these words. I'd rather not see it, of course, as the connection is too intense, too real, too true

Is G-d looking to trip me up? Is He punishing me? Ignoring me? Am I just plain old unlucky?

Rather than feeling as though we are progressing forward on our sojourn towards a better reality, our situation can sometimes feel pretty helpless.