Rabbi Adam Roffman serves Congregation Shearith Israel in Dallas Texas. He is a graduate of Amherst College with a degree in Political Science, and Circle in the Square Theatre School with a ...

This week’s Torah portion Vayera reminds me of Sherlock Holmes’ famous statement to his loyal friend Dr. Watson: “Watson – You see but you do not observe!” Most of us are like Watson. At first sight, ...

In Jewish law, this appears to be the most irrelevant instruction. In the Shulchan Auruch, Orach Chaim, chapter 218, we are given details of blessings, and our sages tell us that when one is standing ...

Three travelers, who turn out to be angels, stop by Abraham who is just recovering from having circumcised himself at the age of 99 years old. Abraham rushes to greet them and give them water and food ...

וְאַ֨בְרָהָ֔ם הָי֧וֹ יִֽהְיֶ֛ה לְג֥וֹי גָּד֖וֹל וְעָצ֑וּם וְנִ֨בְרְכוּ־ב֔וֹ כֹּ֖ל גּוֹיֵ֥י הָאָֽרֶץ׃–Avraham is to become a great and powerful nation and the ...

Parashat Vayera: Faith is stronger than reality Can faith prevail over reason and reality? Scripture’s answer is clear. What seems impossible to man is never beyond the power of God. Elisha Raising ...

The Torah’s narratives about King Avimelech of Gerar are quite mystifying. Avimelech appears to be full of contradictions and is subject to both praise and criticism by the Meforshim (Commentators).

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In the middle of the synagogue service, a man quietly walks up to his Rabbi who is sitting at the front of the synagogue and admits to having committed a horrible, highly embarrassing sin, and that he ...