Both Avraham and Yitzchak the Midrash (Rabbah 56:4) relates were confronted by Sma’el. The angel offered arguments to each challenging the logic of G-D commanding Avraham our Father A’H to bring his son upon a sacrificial altar (Bereshith 22:2).



The arguments were not spurious Avraham was challenged with “How can you slaughter the son [G-D] gave at the age of 100?” Avraham answered “Even so!” A further argument was made that the day after Avraham performed the ritual he would be… Continue

As the cycle of Torah readings begins anew a preliminary question presents itself, what is the nature of Torah? Is the Torah a legal text? Or is there a broader purpose encompassing the whole of human endeavor and experience? Indeed, Rashi ZT’L ZY’A opens his commentary on Torah by posing essentially this question.



Beginning with what appears as a historical narrative scripture takes a long time till commandments are promulgated to the entire nation (Exodus 12 starting with the… Continue