The Parsha Discussion with Alex Israel — Lech Lecha. Sins and Virtues of our Patriarchs and Matriarchs

Posted by Alex Israel on November 6, 2019
Topics: The Parsha Discussion, Bereishit (Genesis), Lech Lecha

The Torah never presents our great men as being perfect, it deifies no man, says of none “here you have the ideal, in this man the Divine became human.” -Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch (1800-1888)

Our parsha introduces us to two of our great forebears: Avraham and Sarah. We term these characters Avot (patriarchs) and Imahot (matriarchs). They are exemplars in many ways – in their faith, their adherence to God, their hospitality, their moral sense. And after Avraham and Sarah, we shall meet many other Biblical figures, who stand as towering icons, heroes of the Jewish consciousness: the other Avot and Imahot, Joseph and Judah, Miriam, Moses and Aharon and so forth.

To read and learn more, Click here to download and print this week’s Parsha Discussion on Lech Lecha. Sins and Virtues of our Patriarchs and Matriarchs.

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About Alex Israel

Alex teaches Bible at Pardes and is the Director of the Community Education Program and the Summer Program. Alex was born and raised in London. He holds degrees from London School of Economics, the Institute of Education London and Bar-Ilan University. Alex studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion under Rav Aharon Lichtenstein and Rav Yehudah Amital, and gained Rabbinic ordination from the Israeli Rabbinate. Click here to read more. You can find books written by Alex by clicking here

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