Project Genesis, Leaders in Online Jewish Learning

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What was the difference between Abraham and those who came before him? Why is Abraham known to most of us as the first of our three forefathers, while only those with a more advanced education have even heard of the Yeshiva of Shem [Noah's Son] & Ever [Shem's great-grandson]?

The Chofetz Chaim, Rabbi Yisrael Mayer Kagan, explains: neither Shem nor Ever taught Judaism to their children as well as others. Abraham had to come to a recognition of the Divine on his own. But what did he do? Abraham knew that if he did not spread the knowledge of G-d’s ways, then honor of G-d would be lost from the world.

G-d knew that Avraham would spread the same ideals within his family. That is why he was rewarded with a son who followed the same path, and a grandson and 12 great-grandchildren, from whom emerged an entire nation.

What were the Jews “chosen” for? Anyone can become a Jew, so what does it mean? The answer, of course, is that we were chosen to continue the mission of our forebears — to spread the knowledge of G-d in the world. It is not enough for us to simply study the Torah ourselves — we must teach it to our children, and to others as well.

Good Shabbos!
Rabbi Yaakov Menken
Director, Project Genesis – Torah.org

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Sometimes I hear voices — little voices. I could be at the verge of making a critical remark to a friend and a voice in my head tells me “Maybe you’re rushing to judgement. It’s possible his intentions were different.” Those voices, expressions of a healthy conscience, are gems.

Lot, the nephew and brother-in-law of Abraham, traveled with Abraham and Sarah and when the livestock of both camps increased to the point that their shepherds could not graze their herds in the same area, Abraham and Lot decided to part. In search of a new home “Lot looked up and saw the entire plain of Jordan fully watered, before G-d destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah…” (Gen. 13:10) and he chose to settle in Sodom. His focus was set on the lush landscape, but he did not consider its tragic end. Sodom, with its legendary cruelty and immorality, should not have been Lot’s first choice — more would be expected of one who lived so close to Abraham and Sarah. But Lot silenced the little voice that said, “Don’t go to live with wicked people. They are steeped in evil, and eventually you’ll be hurt by their downfall.” (Taam V’Daas, Rabbi Moshe Sternbach).

There are voices we hear, soft mental messages from our conscience, that visit us as we make choices. We’re not prophets, but we are often granted a glimpse of the future from our past experience and intuitive perception. When our heart has chosen one path, it’s often challenging to even hear the voices of our healthy conscience, but those voices are gems. Let’s turn up the volume; they are G-d’s way of guiding us to choose life.

Good Shabbos!
Rabbi Mordechai Dixler
Program Director, Project Genesis – Torah.org

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On the holiday of Sukkos, the Torah instructs us to take four species and wave them together. It seems a quite random act, without obvious meaning. Naturally, Jewish Sages have provided explanations of the deeper meanings behind this apparently bizarre ritual.

The four species each provide distinct combinations of taste and smell. The Esrog is a citrus fruit, with both a pleasant fragrance and a pleasant taste. The Date Palm produces tasty fruit, but does not have a powerful smell. Myrtle branches provide the opposite, with a lovely smell but nothing to eat. The willow, the last of the four, has neither taste, nor smell.

One explanation for the combination of these four uses taste and smell as metaphors for Torah and good deeds. Possession of Torah knowledge should change a person internally, and of course inherently means having something good “inside.” Good deeds, on the other hand, are a manifestation of goodness, like a pleasant fragrance. The four species, then, represent four types of Jews — those who possess both Torah and good deeds, those with one or the other, and those with neither.

On Sukkos, the Commandment is to take all four, together. Not only must all four be held, but held together, in order to fulfill the Commandment. The Jewish People requires all four types of Jews. Obviously we all should strive to be like the “Esrog” — but on Sukkos we must also remind ourselves that without every Jew is important. Even without Torah or good deeds, our People isn’t the same without each and every Jew.

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Kol Nidrei, the opening prayer of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, comes at perhaps the most somber and awesome moment on the Jewish calendar. The melody is chilling, and it is said while Torah scrolls are held and a mood of seriousness engulfs the room. The congregants all stand anticipating the holiest day of the year.

What always appears incongruous to me is the text of Kol Nidrei. There’s no description of G-d sitting in judgment, no portrait of trembling angels gathered in the heavenly court — just a statement that all vows are annulled. How does this message fit with this crucial moment, the entrance into Yom Kippur?

Many have had the experience of offering an apology, only to be told that “sorry isn’t good enough.” It’s fundamental to Judaism that G-d always accepts a sincere apology, is always ready to welcome us back. There are, however, times that a person can commit such a breach that the relationship with G-d needs major repairs, where a simple apology is not enough by itself.

On Yom Kippur this all changes. The Nesivos Shalom writes (based on the Zohar) that Kol Nidrei‘s annulment of vows erases all spiritual decrees. Major repairs are no longer needed. The opportunity to approach G-d and ask forgiveness for the past and make a commitment for the future is suddenly open to everyone. That is why on Yom Kippur, a simple apology is indeed all it takes. As all obstacles vanish, all hearts and souls opens up.

We stand before G-d with the hopes of renewing our relationship with Him, making a deep commitment to follow His will in the coming year. May we all make the most of this unique opportunity to stand before our Father, our King, and merit to be sealed in the book of life, happiness, and success!

Best Wishes,
Rabbi Mordechai Dixler
Program Director, Project Genesis – Torah.org