| I'm not a fan of air travel. Or any travel, for that matter. Seeing new places and old friends is wonderful; I enjoy that part. But I can dispense with the actual traveling. My family just flew on a thirty-eight-seater airplane, the kind that tosses you around at the mere mention of turbulence. There's nothing like grabbing for the baby who's sliding off your lap, as you struggle to keep down your lunch, to make staying home appealing. This week's Torah portion, Lech Lecha, begins with G‑d instructing Abraham to set out on a journey, promising him, "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you, and I will make your name great, and you shall be a blessing." Why these specific assurances? The commentaries explain that travel usually has a deleterious effect on our ability to raise children, our financial solvency and our reputation. G‑d addressed those concerns accordingly. The phrase "I will make you into a great nation" tells Abraham of numerous descendants; "I will bless you" refers to monetary success; and unlike a wandering, unknown stranger, "I will make your name great." Abraham's voyage was not detrimental. On the contrary, it led to immeasurable gain. In our lives, we sometimes must travel from the comfortable status quo, but when we journey for a G‑dly purpose and our movements are guided by His word, we can only find blessing. Happy travels! Malkie Janowski,
Responder for the Ask the Rabbi team @ Chabad.org |
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| Lech Lecha: Focus on Circumcision |
| | If He doesn't want us eating pork, why did He make it edible? If he wants men circumcised, why aren't they born that way?
By Tzvi Freeman |  |
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| | Kabbalistic insights for a sharp new perspective on the brit—the fundamental observance seemingly shrouded in mystery. By Mendel Kaplan |  |
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| | Understand the radically different modes of relating to G‑d that Abraham's two sons represent.
Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe | |
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| | The reasons, the significance and the reward.
By Aryeh Citron | |
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| | Abraham begins his journey, Sarah is abducted, Lot relocates to Sodom, the Promised Land is promised, the "Covenant Between the Parts" is formed, Abraham is circumcised . . .
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| Stories of Love |
| | Sara held on to the hope that she would leave that office with those few pieces of paper that would mean a new life for her and her family.
By Alan Magill | |
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| | "Because you helped Reb Shmelke, whomever you will bless during the next twenty-four hours will be blessed . . ."
By Yerachmiel Tilles | |
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| Another Perspective |
| | We wonder how to create unity and cohesion out of chaos and diversity.
By Tuvia Teldon | |
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| | It was dark, cold and icy, the synagogue was without heat or lights, yet nothing could stop these Jews from praying to their G‑d.
By Lazer Gurkow | |
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| | They couldn't believe I was their instructor. "Are you kidding me?" "She looks like she's sixteen!"
By Sara Esther Crispe | |
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| Digging Deeper |
| | When G‑d tells us to leave our laurels of yesterday's accomplishment and take on the new, He is really telling us to be alive today.
By Shimon Posner | |
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| | The Midrash considers Sarah's abduction and liberation a precedent for the Israelites' future sojourn in Egypt.
Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe | |
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| | When every last Jew was home on his own land, the entire community of Israel began to pray for rain.
Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe | |
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| | "That's not true," she insisted. "The world can continue with or without me, it wouldn't make any difference. It doesn't need me for anything."
By Rochel Pritsker | |
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| Short Videos to Inspire and Inform |
| | Do you stick to what's written in the contract, or do you go "beyond the letter of the law"? By Alan Veingrad | |
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| | A little guy drinking coffee in a soul-crushingly boring little diner where the prevalent philosophy is that the lights are "just on" . . . By Dovid Taub | |
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| | Israel, it seems, is always in the news. Why? What is so unique about the Jewish homeland that draws worldwide interest? with Benny Rapoport | |
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| From our Favorite Speakers |
| | Discover how, when and if to speak up for what's right, when those acting improperly are your own family members. By Mendel Kaplan | |
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| | Firsthand accounts of how the Rebbe's teachings have influenced the world's most powerful men and women. By Levi Shemtov | |
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| Inspired by the Rebbe |
| | What was with the picture of the Rebbe? Who was he?
By Mindy Rubenstein | |
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| | More often than not, our physical selves get all the attention while our spiritual side is neglected.
By Yossy Goldman | |
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| Mitzvah Minute |
| | When parents name a child, they experience a minor prophecy—because, somehow, that child's destiny is wrapped up in the name's combination of Hebrew letters . . .
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| In the News |
| | The writings of Rabbi Meir Chaim Chaikin, who endured Soviet persecution for his clandestine efforts to strengthen Judaism, have for the first time been published.
By Dovid Zaklikowski | |
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| | Jews from three countries gathered at a printing house in Germany, celebrating the first Hebrew/German edition of the Tanya.
By Joshua Runyan | |
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