Parashah Roundup: Lekh Lekha 5770

by Steve Brizel

The Importance of Learning Chumash with Ramban

Rav Soloveitchik ZTL explains why Ramban's commentary is critical to an understanding of Chumash and even more critical to a Jewish world view than the Moreh Nevuchim: link (audio)

Noach and Avraham

R Yitzchak Etshalom probes the connection between Noach and Avraham: link (PDF)

Click here to read moreHaShem's Command to Avraham Avinu

R Ephraim Buchwald, based on Rashi and Ha Ksav Vhakabalh, discusses why Avraham Avinu was commanded to first leave his country and then his family's home: link

R Sir Jonathan Sacks reminds us why Avraham Avinu was commanded to leave his father's house: link

R Yissocher Frand explains why Avraham Avinu became the vehicle for God's blessings for all of the nations of the world: link

The Nesivos Shalom , based on Breishis Rabbah 39:9, contrasts the commandments to Avraham to leave his home and the Akedah: link

R Berel Wein explains why Avraham Avinu was told to go specifically to the Land of Israel: link

li>R Shlomoh Riskin outlines seven uniquely Jewish ideas that changed the world: link

R Asher Brander explains why only Avraham is called my beloved by God: link

Avraham and Emunah

R Avigdor Nevenzal and R Michael Rosensweig explains why Avraham Avinu's sense of Emunah should be emulated in our lives and was embedded in the national consciousness of the Jewish People: link 1, link 2

Avraham Avinu and Kvius

R Baruch Simon explains why Avraham Avinu is a model for Kvius: link

The War of the Kings

R Avraham Gordimer examines the lessons of the wars of the kings: link

Leaving the Land of Israel

R Aharon Lichtenstein explores the nature of the prohibition of leaving the Land of Israel: link

R David Horwitz contrasts the views of Ramban and Ralbag in evaluating Avraham Avinu's leaving the Land of Israel: link

Sarah and Hagar

R Ezra Bick contrasts the reaction of Sarah and Rachel: link

The Covenant of the Pieces

R Aharon Lichtenstein , based upon the Ramban, explains why the Bris Bein Habesarim was an unconditional covenant: link

Avraham and Parenting

R Aryeh Leibowitz discusses Avraham Avinu's approach to parenting: link (audio)

The Mitzvah of Bris Milah

R Asher Weiss discusses many halachos related to Mitzvas Milah: link (audio)

R Zvi Sobolofsky explains when and why a Bris Milah is delayed for a natural birth: link (audio)

Mitzvah Bo Yoser Mi BiShlucho

R Daniel Z. Feldman explores the halachic principle of Mitzvah Bo Yoser Mi BiShlucho: link (audio)

The Observance of Mitzvos by the Avos and Imahos

R Shalom Rosner investigates the observance of Mitzvos by the Avos and Imahos: link (audio)

Halachic Aspects of Hachnas Orchim

R Dovid Gottlieb discusses offering food to a guest who will not say a bracha: link (audio)

Special Interest Department

R Hershel Schachter, in the course of his Jewish Heritage Tour of Germany, discusses the Torah of German Rishonim and Acharonim: link (audio)