A Sacred Journey: The Biographical Theology of Passover
In the weeks leading up to Passover, I think about the imperative embedded in the Hagaddah: B'chol dor vador chiav adam lirot et atzmo k'ilu hu yatza mi-mitzrayim, "In each and every generation, a person is obligated to see oneself as if he or she exited from Egypt." I share a personal s
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The Person We Marry
Focal Point
And when Jacob saw Rachel, the daughter of his uncle Laban . . . Jacob went up and rolled the stone off the mouth of the well, and watered the flock. . . . Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and broke into tears. (Genesis 29:10-11)
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Shattered Glass from Carolina to Boston
The sound of glass shattering. Smiles and cheers. That was on Saturday night as Dan and Lauren officially became husband and wife.
Why Is This Night Different?
For Jews without close family ties, the approach of Passover can elicit the same gnawing anxiety that Thanksgiving does: While the rest of humanity gathers around tables laden with a home-cooked feast and lifts glasses of wine, you’ll be dining at home alone on leftovers in front of the TV.
Difficult Stories Raise Difficult Questions
The rape of Dinah (Genesis 34) is one of the most disturbing stories in the entire Tanach. Before we look closely at that text, it is appropriate to put it in the context of the continuing patriarchal narratives.
Clothes Make the Story . . .
To paraphrase Mark Twain, "clothes make the [story]." Throughout the course of Parashat Vayeishev, references to clothing accentuate and propel the unfolding drama.
Joseph's Clothes Spell Trouble
Recognizing Torah Voices
Among the most exquisite stories in all of Tanach is Genesis 27, Isaac's blessing of Jacob. In this essay I wish to highlight the artistry of this author. I shall also draw attention to the bracketing structure that the redactor has built around the story.