Torah Portion

We have paid a steep price for the return of our hostages. We have no choice but to uphold and reinforce the value we place on human life.

Abraham believed in the power of his connection to God and in its ability to bring about true transformation – far more powerfully than any punishment, no matter how justified.

From Yemenite Jews in Operation Magic Carpet to Soviet refuseniks, Ethiopian families, and Bnei Menashe from India, Isaiah’s vision has been realized in our own time.

The Torah presents Abraham not as a spiritual giant chosen by default but as Everyman. He is not depicted as a polished hero with prior accomplishments but as an ordinary person.

The story of Hagar reminds us that sovereignty brings with it responsibility – to see, to hear, and to act with compassion toward those who remain vulnerable in our midst.

Even the loftiest goal on Earth must never be achieved through harming or insulting another person.

Even now, our hearts beat together with those of the heroes and freed hostages, who for two years suffered in the tunnels of darkness and the shadow of death.

Just as Noah emerged from the ark to rebuild civilization, Israel emerges from centuries of dispersion to rebuild its land and infuse it with holiness.

Miracles should serve as wells of faith for the future. Before we begin our daily prayers, we recall past miracles and past redemptions.

The images of young men starved and tortured in propaganda videos released by their evil Hamas captors seared the conscience of our people.