Parasha

Can faith prevail over reason and reality? Scripture’s answer is clear. What seems impossible to man is never beyond the power of God.

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.

Perhaps my favorite part of the Parsha Slam is knowing that beyond the event itself, women who never saw themselves as Torah teachers or public speakers take the mic and share.

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