Archive for the Lech Lecha Category

Breishit 18 The Destruction of Sodom : Kindness and Anti-Kindness   (Ch 19) Ask: What was the sin of Sodom that was so bad that they deserved to be destroyed? After reading the story of Sodom’s destruction, people will generally answer that their sin was sexual perversion. The word

Abraham prays for Sodom Questions G-d says: (18:17) “Can I cover this up from Abraham?” Why tell Abraham about the destruction? Abraham argues with G-d about the destruction. Firstly, how can you argue with G-d who is all knowing and completely just?Secondly, why argue for Sodom? It

After Avraham and his entourage returned from their ordeal in Egypt, a dispute developed between Avraham’s sheperds and those of his nephew, Lot. Chazal tell us that Lot’s shepherds were allowing their flocks to graze on other people’s lands whilst Avraham’s shepherds would rebuke them for their

“There was a famine in the land, and Abram descended to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land.[2]”  The Parsha begins with Hashem instructing Avraham Avinu to uproot his whole life, leave his nation, society, and family, and go on a journey to

Avraham has gone through a difficult experience in Egypt. When he leaves Egypt, though, he has become a wealthy man, and G-d’s first promise to him is fulfilled. Now he has to deal with another problem-his nephew Lot. 1-When Avraham returns to Canaan, he goes back to

Based on Rav Noah Weinberg This week’s Torah portion focuses on Abraham, our forefather. Jewish tradition says that Abraham was the epitome of greatness, and from him we learn vital lessons to help us as we guide our own lives. Let us examine why. “G-d said to

The Parsha starts out, G-d says to Avram you should go from your land, and from your birth place and from your father’s house to the land that I will show you. Then is goes on to promise Avram great things…Who is he? What did he do?

Topics covered in this class: The influence of society Greatness is measured in consistency. Trusting G-d. You never lose, never. The root of Anti-Semitism. The higher motivation. The influence of society. The classical question: In the first verse, the Torah describes where Avram must leave from with

In this week’s Torah portion we are not only introduced to the first Jew, Avraham, but to a much lesser-known fellow, his nephew, Lot. He is a bit player, but an important one nevertheless. He accompanies Avraham to Israel when he is told to leave his land,

“And Hashem said to Avraham, go for yourself from your land, from your relatives, and from your father’s house to the land that I will show you,  And I will make of you a great nation.  I will bless you, and make your name great, and you shall be

Author: Rabbi Raphael Shore Discussion Question: Is an 17 year old German in 1942 morally responsible for choosing to become a member of the Hitler Youth? Introduction to Who Abraham Was Give them an introduction to what they are about to read, including the following elements: Abraham

12:2 There’s a difficulty in Rashi’s explanation that travel on the road causes one to lose his fame and renown. In what way would Avraham, who said Anochi Afar Vi’Afer, be concerned about this? The other explanation that Rashi brings that Hashem was promising to make him a great nation takes care of this problem. Hashem was promising Avraham that

Author: Rabbi Boruch Leff (Based on the teachings of Rav Yaakov Weinberg zt’l) What’s the Big Nisayon? Rav Yaakov Weinberg zt”l pointed out that we see that the “nisayon” (challenge) of “Lech Lecha Me’artzecha” is so powerful it produces the first 3 aspects in the Shmoneh Esrai-the