Choice and Rejection in Bereisheet

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  1. Avraham and the Idols: A Midrashic Reflection of a Biblical Story

    Rabbi Amnon Bazak

    This lesson will examine the famous midrash about Avraham breaking his father’s idols. The analysis will use the literary analogy to the biblical story of Gideon, to explain that the purpose of the midrash is to clarify why God chose Avraham. Is the biblical assessment of Gideon and Avraham similar?

  2. Why was Yishmael Banished?

    Rabbi Chanoch Waxman

  3. The Birthright

    Rabbanit Sharon Rimon

    The story of the sale of the birthright is one of the strangest stories in all of the Torah. Why does Yaakov want to buy the birthright? Can a birthright really be 'bought' or 'sold'? Is Yaakov exploiting Esav's weak state, forcing him to sell the birthright against his will? 

    By closely examining this story and the stories in all of Sefer Bereishit, we notice that one of the most important themes of Sefer Bereishit is the matter of Divine chosenness. Throughout the Sefer we grapple with the question of who is chosen. Who is God choosing to represent God's way in the world? And throughout the Sefer, the one who is chosen is not the firstborn. The entire Sefer teaches that the physical fact of being the eldest does not automatically ensure the right to the firstborn blessing. God chooses the person who is worthy of receiving the blessing. God's blessing is given on the basis of merit, not chronology.

  4. Sons and Genealogies - Selection and Rejection

    Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell

    תאריך פרסום: 2006 | | 30 minutes

    Why do the generations of Yishmael appear in the Torah in addition to the genealogies of Yitzhak, the son selected to be Avraham’s successor? The lists are there partly as a contrast. Stories recur throughout Bereisheet with motifs of dynasties and transmission: There are two sons who can follow in their father’s footsteps—one is chosen and described in greater length, and one is sent away. In this shiur, we look at the pattern of selection and rejection throughout the various occurences of the lists of descendants.

  5. Reuven's Sin and the Twelve Tribes of Israel

    Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell

  6. Yosef and his Brothers: Choice and Rejection

    Rabbi Menachem Leibtag

    The rejection and choice of sons is a theme throughout the book of Breisheet. This principle may have guided the Yosef's brothers to reject him by selling him into slavery. Likewise, this principle may explain why Yosef never contacted his father – an understanding that he was the rejected son.

    When his brothers come to Egypt, Yosef realizes that this is not the case. As his dreams told him, he must be a leader to his brothers: bring them to repent and reunite his shattered family.

  7. From Breishit to Shmot

    Rabbi Menachem Leibtag

    When Yaakov and family depart for Egypt, are they planning to make Egypt their permanent home, or are they planning just a short visit?

    Yaakov fears that his departure to Egypt may be against God's will or possibly even a threat to his bechira. The unique Korbanot that Yaakov offers in Beer Sheva are thanksgiving for the reunification of the family and the realization of the completion of the twelve tribes.

    God's message to Yaakov reveals the upcoming slavery in Egypt but also the growth of an entire out of the seventy descendants to Egypt.