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Resource Articles

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Bereshit

Parashat Bereshit

Parashat Noach

  • Parashat Noah: The First World and the Second, Professor Jonathan Grossman. Professor Grossman writes that the Flood represented a second creation of man, in which he is no longer as exalted as previously. The permission to eat meat represents that man becomes part of nature rather than its ruler.
  • The Language of Babel: At the Tower with Rashi, Ramban, Netziv and Orwell, Rabbi Jeffrey Saks. Rabbi Saks explores interpretations that Migdal Bavel represented totalitarianism and the suppression of individual thought and communication.
  • Individual and Collective Responsibility, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks. Rabbi Sacks argues that dor hamabul and Migdal Bavel represent the extremes of cultures based on individualism and on collectivism, and the failures of both. These lead to the election of Avraham, who represents a fusion of individualism and collectivism.
  • The Spiritual Legacy of Noah and Avraham, Rav Michael Rosensweig. Rav Rosensweig explores differences in personality and legacy of Noah and Avraham, drawing a connection to the different purposes and legacies of Noahide and Jewish law.
  • Chazal’s Interpretation of Cham’s Sin, Rabbi Chaim Jachter. Rabbi Jachter explores textual supports from peshat for Chazal’s interpretation of Cham’s sin, along the way drawing parallels among the various sins of the beginning of Sefer Bereishit.
  • Nefesh HaRav, pp. 272-273, Rav Hershel Schachter. Rav Schachter explains the Rav’s interpretation that Shem represents ethics whereas Yefet represents etiquette.

Parashat Lech Lecha

  • Finished and Unfinished Journeys, Rabbi Shmuel Goldin. Rabbi Goldin explores the concept that Avraham continued Terach’s journey, and suggests that Avraham’s greatness is rooted in his persistence and perseverance.
  • Grow Up! A Religious Imperative, Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm. Rabbi Lamm characterizes the commandment to Avraham to leave his childhood home as an imperative to develop maturity, and explores the meaning of maturity and its manifestations in Avraham’s story.
  • Gerut, Avdut, and Innuy: The Covenantal Formula in Go Forth and Learn: A Passover Haggadah, Rabbi David Silber. Rabbi Silber interprets the promise of exile and slavery in brit bein habetarim as a prerequisite to becoming a nation of compassion.
  • A Palace in Flames, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks. Rabbi Sacks explores the interpretations of Avraham’s search for God, and what they teach us about Avraham’s moral legacy.
  • Perspectives on the Avot and Imahot, Rabbi Avishai David. Rabbi David explores the concept of maasei avot siman lebanim and different approaches to understanding the actions of the avot and imahot.
  • Abraham and the 1960’s: Technocracy and the Journey Inward, Sam Glauber. The author explores Abraham’s identity as a seeker who chafes against a technocractic, progress-oriented society.

Parashat Vayera

  • Lot: Hero or Villain?, Eldad Zamir, Alei Etzion Vol. 10, Tishrei 5761.  The author explores Lot’s personality and evolution over the course of his story.
  • The Binding of Isaac, Rabbi Mois Navon, Hakirah Vol. 17 Summer 2014.  Rabbi Navon offers an interpretation of the meaning of akeidat Yitzchak in the individual’s avodat Hashem.  
  • Theological Issues in Sefer Bereishit: The Akeida, Rav Chaim Navon.  Rav Navon explores theological and moral issues in understanding the akeidah. 
  • And Sarah Died, Dr. Yehuda Gellmann, Tradition Vol. 32 No. 1 Fall 1997.  Dr. Gellman explores the different experience of the akeidah for Avraham and for Sarah, and the root of the difference.
  • The Patron Saint of Rabbis’ Kids, Rabbi Elli Fischer.  Rabbi Fischer explores the meaning of Yitzchak’s experience as the son of Avraham Avinu. 
  • Rebuilding a Future When our World Comes Crashing Down, Dr. Ezra Sivan.  Rabbi Sivan interprets the stories of Lot’s daughters, Tamar, and Rut as a yibum triangle which teaches psychological and religious insight into rebuilding after one’s life narrative has been disrupted. 
  • Lot’s Wife Was Never Salt (and Why That Highlights the Greatness of Abraham), Rabbi Mark Glass. Rabbi Glass explores the story of Sedom’s destruction to understand the moral difference between Lot’s wife and Avraham and their differing concerns for the city of Sedom.  

Parashat Chayyei Sarah

  • Halakhic Morality, pp. 193-207, Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik. In this section, the Rav describes the notion of different religious styles and personalities. This idea connects to Chazal’s concept that Parashat Hayyei Sarah teaches us the importance of learning from the conversations and everyday life of the avot (יפה שיחתן של עבדי בתי אבות מתורתן של בנים)
  • A Tribute to the Rebbetzin of Talne, Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik. The Rav describes the concept of torat imekha, which represents the legacy of Sarah Imenu.
  • Biblical Type-Scenes and the Uses of Convention in The Art of Biblical Narrative, Dr. Robert Alter. Dr. Alter explores Biblical betrothal scenes at wells, analyzing how the use of this type-scene contributes to our understanding of the relationships and personalities described in each narrative.

Parashat Toledot

  • Rivka: The Enigma Behind the Veil, Dr. Esther Shkop, Tradition Vol. 35 No. 3 Fall 2002. Dr. Shkop offers a new understanding of Rivka’s behavior and motivation in Parashat Toldot.
  • The Importance of Trust, Rabbi Daniel Yolkut. Rabbi Yolkut explores the lack of communication between Rivka and Yitzchak about the prophecy that foretells Yaakov’s and Esav’s destinies, and what it teaches us about trust and fear of stigma.

Parashat Vayetze

  • Yemei Zikaron, pp. 62-82, Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik. The Rav explores the personalities of Rachel and Leah, and of their descendants, as different paradigms of religious experience and leadership.
  • Biblical Type-Scenes and the Uses of Convention in The Art of Biblical Narrative, Dr. Robert Alter. Dr. Alter explores Biblical betrothal scenes at wells, analyzing how the use of this type-scene contributes to our understanding of the relationships and personalities described in each narrative.
  •  Why Did Isaac Love Esau?, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks. Rabbi Sacks suggests that Yitzchak loved Esav not despite Esav’s character, but because of it.
  • Did Yaakov Deal Justly With Lavan?, Rav Yaakov Medan. Rav Medan explores the interactions between Yaakov and Lavan to understand whether Yaakov’s actions were justified, and to uncover messages for the reader about the Torah’s standards of fairness between employers and employees.
  • Midrash, Miracles, and Motherhood: The Birth of Dinah and the Definition of Maternity, Tzarich Iyun L’Dinah, Rabbi Dr. Edward Reichman. Rabbi Reichman explores how midrashic interpretation of the story of the birth of Dinah can be applied to contemporary halakhic discussion of new forms of reproductive technology.
  • The Dudaim: Friendship Between Sisters, Rabbi David Silverberg. Rabbi Silverberg suggests interpreting the story of the dudaim as reflecting the closeness of Leah’s and Rachel’s relationship.

Parashat Vayishlach

  • Confrontation, Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik. The Rav interprets Yaakov’s story as representative of the dual identity of a Jew as a member of general society and of the covenantal community.
  • Biblical Narratives and the status of Enemy Civilians in Wartime, Rabbi Yitzchak Blau, Tradition Vol. 39 No. 4 Winter 2006. Rabbi Blau explores Jewish values relating to war and attacks on civilians, based in part on the narrative of Shechem.
  • Jacob’s Silence and the Rape of Dinah, Rabbi Ari Silbermann. Rabbi Silbermann suggests that Yaakov’s reaction to Dinah’s rape reflects his experience of secondary trauma.

Parashat Vayeshev

  • The Maternal Effects on the Twelve Tribes of Israel, Rabbi Nachman Cohen, Hakirah Vol. 13 Spring 2012. Rabbi Cohen proposes a theory that the personalities of Yaakov’s twelves sons were “determined by the disposition and perspective of their mothers at the time of their birth.”
  • Yemei Zikaron, Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, pp. 66-82. The Rav explores the personalities of the sons of Yaakov, with particular attention to the contrast between the nature and leadership of Yehuda and Yosef.
  • We Will Get Better, We Must Get Better, Rabbanit Rookie Billet. In this powerful, personal reflection, Rabbanit Billet describes the loss of her baby daughter to SIDS and how she found religious and emotional strength and meaning in the wake of her loss. Parashat Vayeshev describes two different reactions to the loss of children, that of Yaakov and that of Yehuda; this article can help students explore the ways in which such devastating loss is transformative in different ways for different people. The article is published in To Mourn a Child, edited by Rabbi Jeffrey Saks and Rabbi Joel B. Wolowelsky.
  • Of Deceptions and Conceptions: Rereading Tamar in Light of Rivkah, Sarah Golubtchik. The author explores the parallels between the stories of Rivka and Tamar in order to better understand Tamar’s character and Yehuda’s transformation.The Maternal Effects on the Twelve Tribes of Israel, Rabbi Nachman Cohen, Hakirah Vol. 13 Spring 2012. Rabbi Cohen proposes a theory that the personalities of Yaakov’s twelves sons were “determined by the disposition and perspective of their mothers at the time of their birth.”

Parashat Miketz

  • Joseph, the Master of Dreams, Dr. Hillel Chiel, Tradition Vol. 39 No. 1. Spring 2005. Dr. Chiel explores the significance of dreams in the narrative of Yosef and the transition from the period of the avot to the national story of Am Yisrael.
  • The Beginning of Wisdom, Dr. Leon Kass, pp. 150-172. Dr. Kass explores the meaning and values represented by Yosef’s ability to interpret dreams.

Parashat Vayigash

  • The Universalism of Particularity, Rabbi Dr. Meir Soloveichik. Rabbi Soloveichik interprets the story of Yehuda’s personal transformation and teshuva as representative of the need to feel responsible for one’s own family and people as a prerequisite for moral action.

Parashat Vayechi

  • The Pit Revisited, Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm. Rabbi Lamm describes Yosef’s experience as he passed by the pit where he had been trapped by the brothers, and presents it as a metaphor for remembering one’s humble beginnings and maintaining humility.
  • Each Tribe A Blessing, Rabbi Alex Israel. Rabbi Israel explores the unusual nature of Yaakov’s “blessings” to his children, suggesting that they are meant to address the tensions of the past by finding a role for each son. Additionally, he reads this parashah as an extension of Yaakov’s efforts throughout his life to control his difficult circumstances.
  • Why Ephraim and Manasseh?, Professor Eli Mertzbach. Professor Mertzbach suggests five understandings of the significance of the blessing of Ephraim and Menashe.

Shemot

Parashat Shemot

Parashat Vaera "And Upon All the Gods of Egypt I Will Execute Judgment": The Egyptian Deity in the Ten Plagues, Mr. Ira Friedman, Tradition Vol. 18 No. 1 Spring 2015. The author interprets the ways in which the ten plagues confront beliefs and practices associated with Egyptian worship.

Parashat Bo

Parashat Beshalach

Parashat Yitro

Vayikra

Bemidbar

Devarim

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