Corporate Torah

Shabbat Toldot Dvar Torah At the opening of  Toldot , the Torah tells us that Rebecca was barren, and that Isaac’s prayers for children were answered. Rashi, drawing on a midrash and a close reading of the text, notes that while both Isaac and Rebecca prayed, it was Isaac’s prayer that was accepted. He explains that the prayer of a righteous person who is the child of the righteous carries a unique power, greater than that of a righteous person born to the wicked.Rashi’s comment is surprising. Why should Rebecca’s prayer be less effective simply because of her family background? She herself was extraordinarily righteous, despite having grown up in a home steeped in idolatry. Should that not make her merit even greater?Rav Shimon Schwab offers a beautiful explanation. Coming from her home, Rebecca’s vision for her future children was that they be upright, kind, and faithful — people of integrity who live lives of holiness and meaning. Her prayer reflected that perspective.Isaac, ...

Shabbat Chayei-Sarah Dvar Torah – The Legacy of Lech-L’cha Abraham — like any Jewish father — is worried. Sarah has passed away, Isaac has come of age, and he needs to find his son a wife. What follows is the legendary narrative of Eliezer, Abraham’s trusted servant, journeying to Aram-Naharayim — Abraham’s homeland — where he miraculously encounters Rebecca. Her kindness and generosity shine through immediately, and she unhesitatingly says “yes.” But why did Isaac need a wife from abroad? The same question arises with Jacob — why were the women of Canaan unsuitable for the patriarchs? I once heard a beautiful insight from my sister (whose given name, incidentally, is Rebecca). The defining trait of our patriarchs was their willingness to venture into the unknown in response to God’s call. Abraham heard the command of “Lech Lecha” — to leave behind everything familiar — and he went on to the Promised Land. To join this family and become the mothers of the Jewish people, the mat...

  Shabbat Vayeira Dvar Torah The portion of Vayeira opens with the famous scene of the ninety-nine-year-old Abraham standing at the crossroads on a sweltering summer day. Though still recovering from his circumcision just three days earlier, he eagerly awaits passing travelers so that he might invite them into his home. Soon, three angels appear on the horizon, disguised as men, and Abraham and Sarah rush to host them with enthusiasm, grace, and kindness. As they sit down to eat, the angels deliver the astonishing news that Sarah, in her old age, will bear a son — Isaac. The Ramban notes that although Abraham had many servants at his disposal, he nonetheless chose to personally attend to the mitzvah of hachnasat orchim rather than delegate it to others. More than that, he performed it with zeal and wholehearted devotion. We may extend the Ramban’s insight to a broader principle: when it comes to chesed — acts of kindness — personal involvement is paramount. Organization, ...