Faith & Blessings
Abraham’s brief but stellar career as G-d’s chosen could not be wrong. When his wife, Sarah, fell into the clutches of Pharaoh’s harem, it resulted in nothing, except as one of the mysterious avenues whereby G-d made Abraham even wealthier. When his nephew Lot was captured along with the other Sodomites, all it did was allow Abraham to battle and defeat four powerful kings and thus add further luster to his already beloved name.
Still with all the accolades and blessings being showered upon the first Jew, he bemoans his situation in life. “G-d, what is it that You can give me, seeing that I am going to be childless…and my servant will inherit me?” And the word of G-d…
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The Act of Circumcision
Mazal Tov! You’ve just been blessed with a newborn boy. On the one hand, what a joy; on the other, what a responsibility. Not only are you occupied with providing for the newborn’s physical needs, you are also obligated to concern yourself with his spiritual welfare. After all, this youngster represents the newest link in the golden chain of our People stretching back over three and a half thousand years.
No wonder than that we immediately introduce our ‘little bundle’ to the world of Torah and commandments. Indeed, with barely a week having passed since his birth, the child already undergoes his first mitzvah. Although mitzvohs are commonly translated as commandments, a more etymologically correct translation would be connection. Mitzvohs…
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