This week's parsha

Unless otherwise noted, "This week's Parsha" comprises articles taken from contributors to the Chabad.org website. We show the original author's name here, so that proper attribution is given. For the sake of brevity, footnotes cited in the original author's writings are omitted from this website. If you need to see the citations, please refer to the original articles on the Chabad.org website.

The Marriage Prerequisite

Published: 21 October 2013 | Written by Naftali Silberberg

"Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebecca the daughter of Bethuel" (Genesis 25:20).

At the age of ninety, after many decades of childlessness, Sarah gave birth to her only child, Isaac. We can only imagine how happy she would have been had she been given the opportunity to rock one of Isaac's children, her very own ainikel, on her knee. Sarah, the very first yiddishe mama, would certainly have taken great pleasure in showing all her friends the baby pictures and videos of her grandchildren... And besides the nachas which every grandparent has from a grandchild, Sarah would also have had great spiritual satisfaction from watching her grandchildren as they grew up, as Isaac's progeny represented the future of the Jewish nation. Sarah and Abraham toiled their entire lives to proclaim the importance of the belief in One G-d. Isaac's child would be the one to ensure that this legacy would continue and flourish.

Keeping One's Balance

Published: 16 October 2013 | Written by Tali Loewenthal

The Jewish people have the knack of keeping their balance despite being confronted by extremes. They have great ideals, but are also realists and pragmatists. They are sensitive to spirituality, with a long list of prophets and visionaries -- but also know how to keep their feet on the ground. They are steeped in study of the sacred Torah, but also know how to make a living and create a warm and welcoming home environment.

This ability to balance spirituality and the practical level of life goes back to Abraham and the opening theme of the Torah portion. Abraham has just been circumcised, and is sitting at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. At this point, G-d is revealed to him.

Eagle or Teddy Bear

Published: 09 October 2013 | Written by Shimon Posner

This country was founded, settled, defined and furthered by people who left their homes for the unknown. Whether or not they were religious (in the conventional sense) is (and will be) debated by those with agendas. It is unarguable, however, that the founders of this country were risk-takers -- and inherent in risk is belief. They were, in other words, believers.

Appropriately, the fledgling country chose for their symbol the eagle, the biblical metaphor for mercy, majesty and redemption.

One of the presidents who personified the country's ethos -- so well that they etched his face on a big rock -- was Teddy Roosevelt. Incongruously, his legacy is cuddly, harmless, lovably ineffectual: the teddy bear.