She is my sister

נמצאו 9 תוצאות חיפוש

  1. "Avraham Bore Yitzchak..."

    Prof. Jonathan Grossman

    Yitzchak’s actions seem similar to those of his father Avraham. A closer look at the relationship between Yitzchak and Abimelech reveals that Yitzchak resolves moral dilemmas that Avraham leaves open ended.

  2. Ramban's Criticism of Avraham: Did Avraham Sin in Descending to Egypt?

    Rabbi David Silverberg

  3. Why was Avraham Offered Gifts?

    Rabbi David Silverberg

  4. Morality Play

    Rabbi Ben-Tzion Spitz

  5. The Sins of Biblical Figures

    Part 2

    Rabbi Amnon Bazak

    Two fundamental approaches exist regarding three incidents involving Avraham: one maintains that the plain reading of the text suggests that the acts in question were wrong – perhaps even serious sins – and are recorded with a view to instructing the readers how not to behave. The other view seeks to cast their actions in a positive light and regards them as a model for emulation.

    Those who seek a favorable interpretation of all questionable actions of biblical characters rely, as one of their central sources, on a well-known discussion in Massekhet Shabbat (55b-56b) which lists six figures who seem, according to the plain text, to have committed various transgressions – some of them extremely serious ones. In each case, Rabbi Shmuel bar Nachmani teaches, in the name of Rabbi Yonatan, that "anyone who says that so-and-so sinned, is simply mistaken."

  6. Parshat Lech-Lecha Part 1: Go Forth!

    Rabbi Alex Israel | 30 דקות

    Perek 12 begins the Avraham narratives with God’s commandment to relocate to Canaan, and continues with Avraham and Sara’s journey to Egypt. We learn of God’s promise to Avraham of land and offspring, and notice that this promise becomes compromised repeatedly throughout the narratives. 

    Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com

  7. The Three Stories of the Matriarchs Taken to the King

    Rabbi Gad Eldad

    In Parashat Toldot, we encounter for the third time one of the patriarchs wishing to settle in a new place - where he introduces his wife as his sister, but the king finds out and confronts him. The first and second stories involve Avraham. The second and third stories both take place in Gerar. From this perspective, the middle story is the link that connects all three stories, and it is indeed the most detailed of them.

    Why did Avraham use the "sister-wife" subterfuge a second time, even though it did not work in Egypt? Was he in the wrong? Was Avimelekh innocent? What is his true character? And why is the plague on his house mentioned only at the very end? Did Avimelekh's full obedience to God's command  stem from genuine integrity and morality, or from coercion?

     

  8. Parshat Lekh Lekha - The Sister-Wife Deception - Was Avraham Justified?

    Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 30 דקות

    We examine the story of Avraham’s sojourn in Egypt, focusing on his request of Sarah to say she is his sister. How do we evaluate his behavior -aside from the deception, how do we understand his willingness to give her up to the Egyptians so that he can stay alive beause he is afraid they will kill him?

    Is it a sin? is there something else going on? Are there mitigating factors? Should he have gone to Egypt in the first place?

    This is not only a story of sin but a story of sin and teshuva-return, reflected in the fact that Avraham is able to raise himself back up when he leaves Egypt. He is somehow able to make it back to Beit El and Ai and call out to God -and this is what makes Avraham so special.

  9. Parshat Vayera - Avimelekh and the Second Sister-Wife Story

    Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 35 דקות

    We will discuss a story that strikes the reader as very familiar - the "second sister-wife" story, wherein Sarah is takein to the house of Avimelekh, paralleling Avraham’s sojourn in Egypt. The language of the stories is eerily familiar. We will outline the less-obvious connection between the two stories – Divine intervention puts a stop to impending disaster.

    What is the point of having these repetitive parallel stories? why does Divine Providence arrange that the same things happen to Avraham over and over? What are we supposed to learn from these repetitions? We compare and contrast the stories and find a striking difference. What can we make of the crucial difference at the ends of the two stories?

    We consider the context of the two stories, and look at them again in the light of seeing Avraham's hospitality as a counterweight to Sedom.