Lech Lecha

In this parsha Avram's nephew Lot is captured by enemies. Avram, when he finds out, sets out to free him. This idea of freeing hostages is known in Hebrew as pidyon shevuyim. You can read the story in Breisheet (Genesis) chapter 14 verses 12-16.

Recently there was a return of an Israeli hostage who had been held in Gaza for five years.

How was this return made possible?
Compare this to what Avram did in the verses you read.

Which method seems more appropriate in today's world?
Why do you think so?

YOU ARE THE COMMENTATOR! WHAT DO YOU THINK?

The Tower of Babel

Some people think the people who tried to build the Tower of Babel were punished because they were going to do bad things in the future.

Do you think people should be punished for PLANNING bad things?
Explain your answer.

Remember to share your ideas by adding your comments

Celebrating Sukkot

Ok, Sukkot begins this evening. Either you have built a sukkah at your home or you have not. If not, how can you celebrate the holiday anyway? Here are some thoughts. If you have others, please comment:
Find a sukkah in your neighborhood and eat there (probably your synagogue has one)
Invite company and cook something that is in season now to celebrate the harvest.
Make something special and tell the family - It's Sukkot! Let's celebrate together!

Studying Torah

In a short time we will be starting from the beginning of the cycle of Torah reading. This is probably not the first time you have heard these stories, and hopefully it will not be the last.
Have you ever re-read a book?
Why did you read it again?
What if anything was different about the way you understood the book the second time?
What do you remember about Torah from last year?
What do you expect from this year's reading?