Bereishit

Aryeh Klapper recreating a patriarchal voice.

David Curwin explores the evidence that Jacob may have made a fatal mistake in not conquering Canaan upon returning.

Avraham’s challenge to God’s planned destruction of Sodom raises the fundamental ethical problem of collective punishment. The resolution of this challenge, Sruli Fruchter explains, enables Avraham to realize God’s highest ideals and to confront the conflict between compassion for oppressors and consideration for their victims.

Alex Ozar drills down on the point of the Akeidah, responding to Herzl Hefter and Tzvi Sinensky.

Yisroel Ben-Porat analyzes a Midrash offering non-misogynistic takes on the original sin.

Eliezer Finkelman discusses the meaning of perfect repentance.

Eileen Watts examines the similarities between Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and Rav Soloveitchik's Lonely Man of Faith.

Benjamin Barer traces the word Hevel through Jewish texts, showing how the use of the same word can teach us both about the wisdom of Kohelet we read this past Shabbat and the character of Hevel who we will read about in this week's Parashah.

Levi Morrow explores how the Rabbis use creative exegesis to save the world from drowning in a flood

This week's Parashah introduces us to the city of Shechem. Tamar Weissman examines the various appearances of this city throughout Tanakh, explaining that while it is a city of rupture, it is also one of covenant and fraternity.