Genesis 37:2 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph being seventeen years old was feeding the flock with אֹת־ his brothers; and the boy was with אֹת־ the sons of Bilhah וְאֹת־ and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and brought Joseph אֹת־ their evil report to his father. C-MATS Question: When did this incident happen? This incident …
TOLDOT (generations)
Genesis 25:19 And these are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham gave birth to את־ Isaac. C-MATS Question: Why does the Torah stress that Isaac was the son of Abraham? The Torah stresses that Abraham and Isaac were father and son. The cynics of that generation had been saying that Sarah must have become pregnant by Abimelech, since she …
VAYERA (and he appeared)
Genesis 18:1 And יהוה appeared to him in the plains of Mamre (vigor/lusty): and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day (healing from his circumcision). C-MATS Question: Who came to Abraham first? And יהוה appeared to him (in spirit) in the plains of Mamre. C-MATS Question: Why did יהוה come to visit Abraham? It was …
LECH LECHA (get yourself out)
Genesis 12:1 Now יהוה had said to Abram, Get out of your country and away from your kinsmen and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you: C-MATS Question: What change took place through Abraham? After twenty generations of failure, the privilege of being יהוה‘s Chosen People was earned by Abraham and his offspring. Abraham did …
Sukkot-Feast of Tabernacles (Booths)
Question: Why do we celebrate the Feast of Sukkot? The Festival of Sukkot commemorates the shelter that יהוה provided the Israelite people in the Wilderness, and an essential part of the Sukkot service is to recall that shelter. Sukkot responds to the joy of knowing that your sins were forgiven during Yom Kippur and recalling the miraculous provision and care …