The Path of Avraham - Righteousness and Justice
Found 28 Search results
Avraham's Blessing
Rabbi Yehuda RockGod shares with Avraham his intentions to destroy Sodom; because he God’s emissary for realizing the entire Divine plan of bringing the world to "bend the knee" before God. The fate of Sodom is born out of the conclusion arrived at through that discussion between God and Avraham; who are jointly responsible for introducing the way of God into the world.
Avraham and the Angels
Rabbi Amnon Bazak"And God appeared to him" - why? What is the relationship between God's revelation and the revelation of the angels? This lesson explores Rashbam's unique approach, and the connection between the two revelations: the promise of a son and the destruction of Sodom.
The Way of God and the Way of Righteousness and Justice
Rabbi Yaakov MedanWhat is the relationship between Emunah and Chessed in Avraham's spiritual world? This lesson discusses the Covenant of Circumcision, Avraham's hospitality toward the angels, Avraham's argument about Sodom, and Akeidat Yitzchak in an attempt to answer this question.
Ruth and Orpah, Abraham and Lot: The Power of Choices
Part 3
Dr. Yael Ziegler |Why are Chazal extremely critical of Orpa? Looking back at Lot’s separation from Avraham, we see that catastrophe followed Lot’s decision to live in cruel Sedom. Orpa, his descendant, returns to a corrupt and immoral society. Ruth chooses to return to Avraham’s path from which Lot broke away, and she becomes the vehicle to bring the Israelites back to the way of Avraham.
Avraham and the Command of the Akeida
Rabbi Alex Israel | 33 minutesThe Story of Akeidat Yitzhak (The Binding of Isaac) has been a troubling one for many. This shiur examines various approaches to the significance, challenge, and purpose of the command given to Avraham, comparing and contrasting this challenge with other ones Avraham faces. Avraham’s character and approach to Divine service and morality is brought into sharper focus.
Regarding the Kings of the Davidic Dynasty
Rabbi David SabatoThese chapters contain a collection of prophecies that Yirmiyahu delivered to the last kings of Yehuda. The institutions of the Beit HaMikdash and the Davidic dynasty are perceived by the people as stable, absolute, and unassailable. Both rely on a Divine promise regarding their eternity, and the two promises are intertwined. However, the biological continuity of the descendants of David does not in itself entitle them to the kingdom, but only when coupled with its moral continuity. Only then can they truly sit on the throne of David. In contrast, the non-realization of the moral purpose will lead to the destruction of the house of David, just as it will lead to the destruction of the house of God.
In contrast to the ideal description of the monarch at the beginning of the chapter, Yirmiyahu traces the debased moral situation in the days of Yehoyakim. This rebuke revolves around the building of Yehoyakim's magnificent royal palace, which involved the breach of the most fundamental principles of morality and justice.
The future of Yehoyakhin’s seed is described in bleak terms by Yirmiyahu, but that is contradicted by his descendant Zerubavel who takes a leadership role in the Return to Zion. In contrast, Tzidkiyahu is described by Yirmiyahu as a potential Mashiah, a role that his poor decisions do not allow him to realize.
Avraham's Response to the Tower of Bavel
Dr. Miri SchlisselWho Was Avraham?
Rabbi Yair KahnAlthough the documentation of events in the life of Avraham is relatively detailed, we are nonetheless confronted with a number of basic questions: Who actually was Avraham? Why was he chosen? What is the nature of the legacy that he passed on to the entire Jewish nation? How should this affect our lives? Avraham's search for God was not only a philosophical one, but a moral one as well. His quest for truth did not take place solely in the ivory towers of intellectual scholarship, and his discovery was not limited to the abstract world of philosophic speculation. He found faith in the real-life world, full of promise and disappointment, of suffering and joy. Therefore, he discovered not only Hashem, but justice and morality as well.
Something from Nothing: Who is Avraham?
Rabbi David SilverbergWhy Avraham's Belief is Called "Tzedaka"
Rabbi David SilverbergWalk Before Me and Be Blameless: Avraham's Ethical Outreach
Rabbi David SilverbergPiety: Islands of Isolation vs. Open Involvement
Rabbi David SilverbergThose Who Curse Avraham
Rabbi David SilverbergTwo Lekh Lekhas, the Akeida, and Avraham's First Mitzva
Rabbi David SilverbergBeing Great Doesn't Mean Being Aloof
Rabbi David SilverbergGod Standing Alongside Judges
Rabbi David SilverbergAvraham and Sodom: Inferior Prophetic Status?
Rabbi David SilverbergThe Sodom Consultation and God's Love for Avraham
Educating Students in a Bubble?
Rabbi Yosef MarcusA Righteous Man in Zo'ar
Rabbi Amnon BazakThe Sins of Biblical Figures
Part 1 - Introduction
Rabbi Amnon BazakA plain reading of the text shows that it is difficult to find any flawless figures: the forefathers, Moshe, the kings and the prophets all display human complexity. In many instances they make mistakes and even sin; in some instances they are described as committing major transgressions. We must ask, first, whether the plain text accords with Chazal's teachings concerning the greatness of our biblical ancestors, and second, how we are to understand the complex picture of the biblical heroes that emerges from a peshat-oriented reading of the text.
What Mitzvot Did the Avot Keep?
Rabbi Menachem LeibtagThere are those who claim that the Avot kept the entire Torah - even the Oral Law and later Rabbinic prohibitions! Yet many students, when hearing this opinion, find it difficult to accept. In the following shiur, we discuss the pasuk that forms the source for this opinion; the debate among the commentators in regard to its interpretation; and an important lesson we can learn from this entire controversy.
Shmuel David Luzzatto (Shadal) as a Bible Commentator
Rabbi Dr. Martin Lockshin |In this class, we will examine the unique approach of Shadal (Shmuel David Luzzato) in his Bible commentary. We will look at different texts that highlight interesting features in his commentary to them. He does not hold back from interpreting the pshat (plain meaning of the text) in a way that contradicts traditional Rabbinic interpretations. Occasionally, he strongly voices his opposition to Rambam (Maimonides) and the apparent influence of Greek philosophers such as Aristotle on Rambam’s comments. Luzzato’s comments also reveal ideas about equality, sexual ethics, and the conviction that the purpose of the Torah(including mitzvoth such as Loving God, is not philosophy, but action: for furthering the goal of doing and spreading justice and righteousness.
Morality, Justice and our Rights to the Land of Israel: Abraham
Rabbi Dr. Daniel Tropper | Hour and 6 minutesParashat Lekh Lekha seems to begin a series of stories that appear random in terms of their sequence and content. We find, however, that there is structure and purpose to these stories. What is Avraham's mission, and how do these stories cohere into a greater narrative that reflect Avraham's aspirations, missions, setbacks, success and enduring messages? How do the setbacks, too, impart messages about morality and the Land of Israel that continue to play out throughout the generations?
Parashat HaShavua - Mishpatim
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag | 37 minutesIs the Humash a book of laws? Until now, it has been mostly stories. Parashat Mishpatim is finally a parasha that almost entirely discusses laws. We're going to try to understand that not only does Humash teach us lessons about laws through stories, but that there are a lot of lessons that can be learned from the way that laws are presented. We take a look at the structure and style of Parashat Mishpatim and note that the laws about interactions between man and his fellow man are bracketed by sections of laws about how to serve God, who desires that we follow Avraham's path of justice and righteousness.
Hayyei Sarah - Another Test?
Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 16 minutesLast week, Parashat Vayera we talked about the first and last test- of Avraham. Some view this parasha as a continuing test – purchasing land for his wife’s burial. We also see the transition to Yitzhak, who continues and completes the mourning process for Sarah, as well. Nevertheless, Avraham is an active player in Chayei Sarah. This Parasha exemplifies the idea that sometimes, the challenge or test is to follow God’s path even without clear instructions.
Vayera: Moral Dilemmas
Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 20 minutesWhat pulls Parashat Vayera together is moral dilemmas. In this shiur we will identify them, look at how Avraham faced them, and see what we can learn from how Avraham faced them. We find four apparent moral dilemmas: Avraham and the impending destruction of Sodom, Avraham pretending Sarah is his sister while in Gerar, the expulsion of Yishmael, and Akeidat Yitzhak. The dilemmas become more severe as the parasha continues - or do they?We look at a few approaches to Avraham's criteria and decision-making as he faces each one.
Righteousness and Rescue: Noah, Lot and the Two Stories of the Flood
Rabbi Chanoch Waxmanתאריך פרסום: 5777 | | Hour and 11 minutes
In this shiur, we will take a critical look at the righteousness of Noah. We will also discuss the way Hazal and the text approach the problems of the generation and the multifaceted narrative of the flood, as we address claims of biblical criticism. An intertextual comparative approach brings us to the story of Lot's rescue from Sodom and the aftermath of that destruction, as we compare and contrast the personalities of Noah, Lot, and Avraham. Is there something from the text that justifies the traditional relativization of Noah's righteousness as compared to Avraham's? What explanation can we offer for Noah's decline after the flood? What does Noah's righteousness consist of, and what is his response to the Divine signal that it is time to rebuild the world?
We discover different - and unequal - models of righteousness: Noah's is about survival and obedience, but Avraham's involves the important element of caring about the world.