Parsha Chayei Sarah: Torah Reconcilliation

This week’s parsha (weekly Torah portions) is called Chayei Sarah.  The irony of the name is that the parsha begins with Sarah’s death.  It then tells how Abraham bought the cave in which he buried her (and he himself is buried along with a few other folk) which is in Hebron. After Abraham buries Sarah, he makes his servant Eliezer swear an oath to find a wife for Yitzhak (Isaac) from his family back where Abraham was born.  Eliezer (whose … Continue reading

Parsha Vayera: Torah of Self is Others

Welcome to the wacky world of the Torah.  This week we have lots of good action.  The parsha (portion of the week) starts out with haShem (god) appearing to Abraham at the Trees of Reflection, where Abraham has been camping.  God appears as 3 angels (the word for angel in Hebrew, mal’ach, means messenger) in the guise of men and Abraham begs them to stay for a foot washing and a meal. After they eat, the men/angels tell Abraham that … Continue reading