Parsha

Judaism is not binary – it does not teach that there are forces of light and darkness that are wholly separate and distinct. Rather, there is an interdependence and an intertwining.

God presents us time and time again with the choice of acting correctly, with honesty and integrity, or acting immorally.

Jacob in Parashat Vayishlah and King David in the course of Psalms showcase the important balance between religious confidence and doubt.

Faith can be the foundation of a profound relationship with God, and by extension with all of God’s creation. But it can have another side, a dark shadow

The midrash is likely highlighting the Jewish capacity to not just inhabit two worlds, but unify them.

The Torah has 70 faces, as the Rabbis tell us. All of these interpretations and many others have their worthiness and weight, and yet there is room for more.

What we will examine is why Abraham thought, and God agreed, that it was enough to find 10 righteous people to warrant saving the entire evil city from punishment.

The story of his life up until the moment God tells Abraham to leave is tantalizingly elusive. This is why the midrash there plays such a central role in answering: Why was he chosen?

The differences between Abraham and Lot chart the future - In this week’s Torah portion God tells Abraham to go and each generation of our people is taken along on his journey. 

Abraham’s unique path - and ours nowadays - is to pursue justice and perform acts of loving-kindness.