Jewish Texts
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Jacob’s Fight with the Angel
All of these questions bothered me for years. I tried looking in the commentaries with no great success… Answer: I think your questions are wonderful, and I have struggled with (some of) them too. All I can do is to share…
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Midrash and Laban Wanted to Destroy Us
I once heard that many Midrashim were actually written down with political situations of the time in mind and are not just ‘fairy tales’ if you will. My question is what was the political or cultural background behind the paragraph…
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All About Reuben, Jacob’s Son
Our grandson will be named Reuven at his Circumcision on Friday. Please give me some information about Jacob’s son, Reuben. I do not believe there are any other Reubens in the Bible. Is this correct? I graduated from a day…
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Age of Rachel
How old was Rachel when Jacob first met her? When they were married? When she died? Answer: Seder Olam Rabbah 74:4 says that Rachel was 22 when she married Yaakov (Jacob), and this seems to be the primary opinion, although…
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“And Jacob Kissed Rachel”
When Jacob met Rachel by the well, he kissed her and told her who he was (Genesis 29:11-12). I understand that our forefathers kept all of the commandments. How could Jacob be involved in an act that seems so immodest?…
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Age of Rebecca at Marriage
Where is the Rashi that says that Rivka (Rebecca) was 3 years old when she married Yitzchak? This commentary does not sit very well with me. How can a girl of 3 years old have poured out all those heavy jugs…
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Eliezer’s Repeated Story
In the Torah portion of Chayei Sarah the story of Eliezer and Rivkah (Rebecca) is written twice. What are the differences and why is Eliezer’s name not mentioned? Answer: Hi! Thank you for these interesting and important questions, which I…
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Who are the Sages and Chazal?
Who and what are the Jewish sages? Answer: When we speak of our “Sages” we are referring to the great rabbis of previous generations. These rabbis were not like the rabbis of today. Today we have to struggle to understand…
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Laughter
When Hagar and Ishmael are kicked out, it says Sarah saw Ishmael doing something, and uses the verb ‘zadi, chet, kuf’, the same used for idolatry at the golden calf incident, murder in II Samuel and adultery when Potiphar’s wife…