The Chumash (Five Books of Moses)
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Where Was the Covenant Between the Parts?
I am wondering if there is a reference or tradition that states where Abraham was located during the Genesis 15 covenant episode. Was his encounter with Gd, and the splitting and arranging of the animals located at Beit El? Moriah?…
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Other Flood Stories
A friend told me there is a story from way before the Torah was given that talks about the early days of man and then says there was a flood. Only one man and his family and animals survive the…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…