The Hebrew Identity

A mistake that nearly had catastrophic results for the entire people of Israel ultimately revealed Moshe's true greatness as a national leader.

Why does the Torah use the Name that connotes Divine mercy rather than Divine judgement when telling of the Creator's decision to destroy humankind? Could there be more to this story?

Why were the Hebrews so surprised by the sudden realization that they would receive the Torah as a set of laws & a mission for the rest of humanity?

What can the dynamics between Yitzḥak and Yishmael in Parshat Vayeira teach us about Israel’s ideal relationship with the Muslim world?

After despairing of a slave revolt, did Moshe seek to create a new nation in Midian to replace Israel?

What are the individual contributions of each Hebrew tribe to Israel's national collective?

How should we understand the difference between the Written Torah and the Oral Torah within the context of Israel's identity and development?

What can the Mishkan teach us about the ways Divine revelation is channeled into our world?

It's important to recognize the internal development of the Hebrew tribes from the Exodus from Egypt to the Brit Sinai and consecration of the Mishkan.

How do the character traits of Esav and Yaakov find expression in the rival civilizations they produced?

Why were the Hebrews so surprised by the sudden realization that they would receive the Torah as a set of laws & a mission for the rest of humanity?

A mistake that nearly had catastrophic results for the entire people of Israel ultimately revealed Moshe's true greatness as a national leader.

How do the character traits of Esav and Yaakov find expression in the rival civilizations they produced?

Did Yosef use the famine to bring his family down to Egypt in hopes of implementing an alternative approach to the Hebrew mission in the Diaspora?

If Dan is the extreme expression of Yosef in the same way that Shimon is of Yehuda, what was the importance of appointing tribesmen of Yehuda and Dan to lead the construction of the Mishkan?

What can the dynamics between Yitzḥak and Yishmael in Parshat Vayeira teach us about Israel’s ideal relationship with the Muslim world?

The ten plagues were part of a deliberate process to educate not only Egypt and Israel but also humanity.

Before becoming Israel, Yaakov had to first spend several years in exile learning to be more like Esav.

By submerging individual identity into the collective Hebrew nation, the kohanim work to cleanse the children of Israel from all transgressions and to inspire the people with a powerful show of kedusha.

Did Yosef seek to transform Egypt into a civilization built on Hebrew values that would repair the world?

By submerging individual identity into the collective Hebrew nation, the kohanim work to cleanse the children of Israel from all transgressions and to inspire the people with a powerful show of kedusha.

How should we understand the difference between the Written Torah and the Oral Torah within the context of Israel's identity and development?

How the leader of a universal spiritual movement learned to reorient himself to the understanding that his goals for humanity could only be achieved through the vehicle of a nation in a specific land.

What can the Mishkan teach us about the ways Divine revelation is channeled into our world?

How the leader of a universal spiritual movement learned to reorient himself to the understanding that his goals for humanity could only be achieved through the vehicle of a nation in a specific land.

Following her death, Sarah's powerful legacy continued to influence Avraham and play a major role in their family's development into a nation.

Why does the Torah use the Name that connotes Divine mercy rather than Divine judgement when telling of the Creator's decision to destroy humankind? Could there be more to this story?

Did Yosef seek to transform Egypt into a civilization built on Hebrew values that would repair the world?

After despairing of a slave revolt, did Moshe seek to create a new nation in Midian to replace Israel?

What were the necessary steps for Israel to develop a national consciousness ahead of leaving Egypt?