It Depends on How You Look at It!
I have always found the Abraham and Keturah story fascinating. At the end of this week's parashah, Chayei Sarah, we discover that Abraham has a life after Sarah dies: He marries Keturah.
How Strange the Way of Providence: The Righteous Are Called Living
Our ancient sages raised two interesting questions about the very first verse of this week's Torah portion, Chayei Sarah.
Removing the Veil
Veils are mentioned so rarely in the Torah that their appearance is worth examining. In each instance, something is hidden from one of the characters but revealed to the reader. Chayei Sarah contains the Torah's first mention of a veil, which occurs when Rebekah arrives in the Negev and has her first look at Isaac.
Promises to Keep
Robert Frost ends his magnificent poem, "Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening," with the words, "The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep." Frost's poem speaks to inherent sense of restlessness.
Someone Who Never Gave Up
Of all the things a child receives at birth, the purity of a newborn soul is without question the most important. When we stare at a little human being we ponder the possibilities, the endless potential that creates a flurry of visions in a parent's mind.
Hospitality: Can We Do Better?
Biblical stories often form prototypical frameworks that define and shape later Jewish behaviors.