This week's parsha
Unless otherwise noted, "This week's Parsha" comprises articles taken from contributors to the Chabad.org website. We show the original author's name here, so that proper attribution is given. For the sake of brevity, footnotes cited in the original author's writings are omitted from this website. If you need to see the citations, please refer to the original articles on the Chabad.org website.
Is Anybody Home?!
By all accounts, Lot was a total failure.
He was raised by his uncle Abraham, and he still ended up as a failure.
He moved to the most corrupt city in the world – Sodom – opting to raise his children in a G‑dless hell.
He married a shrew of a wife who made his life miserable and bitter, and ended her bitter life by turning (not ironically) into a pillar of salt.
Later, after he was saved by angels from the apocalypse, he escaped to a cave, drank and drank, and ended up fathering children with his very own daughters. His deeds were considered repulsive even in the immoral society of that day; his uncle Abraham was compelled to relocate to avoid the ensuing shame.
Not the type of guy you would invite over for a beer.
He was raised by his uncle Abraham, and he still ended up as a failure.
He moved to the most corrupt city in the world – Sodom – opting to raise his children in a G‑dless hell.
He married a shrew of a wife who made his life miserable and bitter, and ended her bitter life by turning (not ironically) into a pillar of salt.
Later, after he was saved by angels from the apocalypse, he escaped to a cave, drank and drank, and ended up fathering children with his very own daughters. His deeds were considered repulsive even in the immoral society of that day; his uncle Abraham was compelled to relocate to avoid the ensuing shame.
Not the type of guy you would invite over for a beer.
Getting Started at 75
At the age of 75, Abraham was called upon by G-d to "Go." And Abraham went. He picked up his bags and started a journey that will never end —- the Jewish story.
By the time he was 75 years old, Abraham had quite a lot to show for himself. He was the first out-of-the-box kid who at age of three (!) started questioning the dogma that his pagan community had been stuffing down his throat.
Not only was he open minded, he was the first person who actually stood up for his beliefs. He wasn't a "scholar in residence"; he was a believer on the road. He held up signs, gave people food, and once they had a stomach-full he gave them an ear full.
By the time he was 75 years old, Abraham had quite a lot to show for himself. He was the first out-of-the-box kid who at age of three (!) started questioning the dogma that his pagan community had been stuffing down his throat.
Not only was he open minded, he was the first person who actually stood up for his beliefs. He wasn't a "scholar in residence"; he was a believer on the road. He held up signs, gave people food, and once they had a stomach-full he gave them an ear full.
Surviving Daily Life
One of the interpretations of the Flood is that it represents the difficulties of life. We are swept by the swirling waters of anxiety, of the rat race, of the daily struggle. How can we prevent our sensitivity and humanity from being swept away?
Another variety of these swirling waters are the cultural currents of the modern world which seek to sweep away our Jewish dimension. "Why be different?" they murmur. "Just do the same as everyone else..." Once again, what power do we have to resist these forces?
Another variety of these swirling waters are the cultural currents of the modern world which seek to sweep away our Jewish dimension. "Why be different?" they murmur. "Just do the same as everyone else..." Once again, what power do we have to resist these forces?
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