After the whole long and detailed story of Eliezer looking for a bride for Yitzchak, he is finally on his way back with his mission accomplished - he found Rivka. The Torah describes the eventual meeting between the two, and it seems that we should pay attention to the details hiding there. When describing Yitzchak Avinu, the Torah mentions where he was coming from: וְיִצְחָק בָּא מִבּוֹא בְּאֵר לַחַי רֹאִי וְהוּא יוֹשֵׁב בְּאֶרֶץ הַנֶּגֶב. Rashi explains where the well wa

Tens of thousands are expected to come to Hebron this Shabbat, to hear this week’s parasha read in the place where it occurred – in Me’arat HaMahpela, the Cave of the Patriarchs. Parashat Hayei Sarah describes the sale of the first Jewish gravesite in history to Avraham. Avraham buried Sarah there, and afterwards he was buried next to her, later joined by Isaac and Rebecca and Jacob and Leah. But until this day we are not really sure what is under the grave markers of the pat

Last week we learned about the importance of one preparing for Shabbat by himself, this week we will learn about what are the preparations one should make for shabbat. The Sages state that there are three things one must say in his home as it gets dark on Friday: (1) “Has the produce been tithed?” If it has not, he must do so; (2) “Has an eruv ĥatzerot been set up?” If it has not, he must do so. (3) “Remember to light the candle on time” (Shabbat 34a). Today, when we generall

In the parasha Hashem sends three angels to visit Avraham Avinu who was recovering from his Brit Mila. The main purpose of their visit was Bikur Cholim, and the Tora describes the visit in detail. At the end of their visit the angels stood up, preparing themselves to leave, and it seems as though the story will now move forward. But, suddenly, Hashem says something: !המכסה אני מאברהם?. Meaning, I shouldn’t hide my plans from Avraham. It seems that Hashem was planning to destr

Daniel: We started learning Talmud Brachot together a couple of weeks ago. When I learn with the Rabbi I understand the Gemara from a whole new perspective. We learn it and we review over and over again. I like learning with the Rabbi because I have some trouble with the Gemara but when I learn one on one with the Rabbi he teaches it to me in a certain way that things are interesting. My experience learning with a chavruta is a great experience, and I believe it will make me

One of the most interesting things in the Parasha is the uncompromising effort on the part of Avraham to save the people of Sedom and Gomorrah. The Midrash says that the people of Sedom and Gomorrah enjoyed an abundance of material wealth, but they used it in an evil way, so much so that the world could not exist as long as they existed. After Avraham received the promise that Lot would be saved, the miracle with the angels happens, and Lot indeed is saved, but his wife is tu

In our Parasha the main figure is Avraham Avinu, and his adventures fill our parasha with details and values. We are taught in depth about him since he is the founder of Am Israel. The whole Hebrew story has developed based on his great values and character. Teaching the world the fundamentals of faith was the main contribution Avraham made to the world, and it also separated him from others. The Midrash says that Avraham was named Avraham HaIvri because he was standing on a

During the past week Joelle Cons and I, Sarah Moyal, learned in the kollel with the amazing Bat Sherut, Rivka. We are learning about how to get to know yourself better as a proud Jew. In the few verses that we have studied, we learn how a person needs to know his good from bad. Rav Itamar Shwartz teaches us how each body is composed of skin, blood, bones etc.… and most importantly a neshama (soul). There are two different types of people. The people who think they have a bo

Right from the earliest days of the Jewish nation, along with the choice of the first patriarch, Avraham Avinu, God designated a national home for His chosen people. Avraham was sent to explore the land and to begin building a new life there, away from his homeland, his family and everything he was used to. Already at that time, God knew that not everyone would be happy about the area Avraham was going to inhabit. Therefore, in the Brit Bein Habetarim, the Covenant of the Pie

The Torah states: “On the sixth day, they shall prepare what they have brought in” (Shemot 16:5). It is inferred from here that there is a mitzva to prepare for Shabbat on Friday. Even a rich and dignified person who has servants who take care of all his needs during the week, and who does not lift a finger around the house, must try to do something himself to honor Shabbat. He should not say: “Should I toil at these simple labors that are beneath my dignity?” Rather he must