Jewish Texts
-
Enoch
Whats the deal with Enoch? In Genesis it says “Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away” Does this mean Enoch never died and if he didn’t, why would…
-
Rachel’s Tomb: in Bethlehem or Zelzeh?
The Book of Samuel places Rachel’s tomb in Benjamin at Zelzah in the north as does Jeremiah. Genesis place the tomb in Bethlehem, further south. How can this be so? Answer: Pretty sharp question! The question is actually asked in…
-
From Abram to Abraham
What is the significance of God changing Abram’s name to Abraham? Answer: When God chose to change Abraham’s name from Abram to Abraham a new era of human history began. Up until the time of Abraham God’s will and expectation…
-
Akeida: Isaac and Ishmael
When Abraham speaks with God after the aborted sacrifice God says (and I’m paraphrasing), “Isaac was your son, your only son.” Why state that Isaac was his only son if he also had a son, Ishmael, from Hagar? Answer: Good…
-
Put Downs
Where is it written, “You see in others what you see in the mirror.”? Answer: I believe what you are referring to is the Talmudic passage “Kol HaPosel B’moomo Posel” – “Anyone who disqualifies others, disqualifies them with his own…
-
Blessings Promised to Abraham
How is it possible that G-d says to Abraham “Go for yourself,” and then Abraham comes to Canaan and finds hunger there? What are we suppose to learn from it? Where is G-d’s promise: “I will bless you. You will…
-
Treatment of Hagar and Ishmael
“Why haven’t we made an apology yet for the terrible way that Ishmael and Hagar were treated.” Answer: Not sure how to answer this one. Who are “we”? – I didn’t mistreat anyone, and neither did you. Nor are Ishmael…
-
Genesis 8:21: “Man’s Heart is Evil”
In Genesis 8:21 it says “For the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth” This sentence is conflicting to me. If we are truly made in G-d’s image, than how is it that we are pre-destined to have…
-
The Last Prophets
Who is the last person in the Old Testament God spoke to? Answer: The last prophets seem to have been Chaggai, Zechariah and Malachi, who lived at the beginning of the second temple. After that prophecy ceased, and from then…