Was Abraham Jewish?

B"H


Cheshvan 7, 5773 * October 23, 2012

======================================================================
CHABAD.ORG NEWSLETTER

* Daily Quote * Daily Thought * Comment * Question * Story * Voices *
* Essay * Parshah Summary & Overview * From The Chassidic Masters *

Web: http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=B35B4D60D1B21302D43B1C6C303F8FE6&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2
Feedback: http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=C37929D4DDAA53193894170868C7E07A&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2
Print version: http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=7D77E9B238E0BD993915CF5E5AC86543&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2
======================================================================

Editor's Note:

Dear friend,

Have you been watching the debates? Many political commentators have called this cycle of U.S. presidential debates the most exciting, yet contentious, in history. The air is thick with tension, as each candidate tries to sway another American mind to his side.

When each candidate is speaking, I find him so eminently believable. But then his opponent says the exact opposite, and I find my head nodding in agreement with him. Whom to trust? Don't you wish there could be a little truth-o-meter displayed above their heads, with real-time points given to the more factual candidate? Oh, the elusive truth . . .

The Midrash tells us the prequel [ http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=469D22A01F3C5F09D13E66A12EB72BB3&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2 ] to Abraham's story, which we read this week: Abraham was not satisfied with the falsehood of idolatry, and dug deeply into his mind and soul to uncover the truth of monotheism. That is the legacy of our forefather. Truth.

In a world of opposing viewpoints, elusive facts and conflicting fact-checkers, let's recognize the value of divine truth, and actively seek to live that truth in our daily lives as taught in the Torah. Like Abraham, don't be afraid to challenge the status quo—even your own!

Moshe Rosenberg,
on behalf of the Chabad.org Editorial Team



======================================================================

THIS WEEK'S FEATURES:

PARSHAH

Was Abraham Jewish? (By Yehuda Shurpin)


G-d did not choose Abraham. It was his inherent superiority, and the fact that he was ready to give everything up for the sake of G-d, that compelled G-d to choose him.

>> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=022B77F503D1995478473B1427FCC7F0&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


Never Too Old to Travel (By Naftali Silberberg)


The information the Torah "neglects" to tell us regarding Abraham and Sarah's youth teaches a lesson about our spiritual journey through life.

>> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=18ADF2A3BE35BAEC75D6746467E7A832&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


In the Clouds or on the Streets? (By Lazer Gurkow)


Who is the true spiritual leader? Is it the venerable sage who sits alone, nose buried in an ancient tome, or the fellow on the streets, who guides the perplexed and who mentors seeking souls?

>> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=6F4999FD5E69067850C31EAAAA704DCB&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


Lech Lecha in a Nutshell


Abram travels to Canaan, Sarai is taken captive by Pharaoh, and Lot settles in the evil city of Sodom. G-d promises the Land of Israel to Abram's descendants. Ishmael is born, Abram becomes Abraham, Sarai becomes Sarah, and they are promised a son. Abraham circumcises himself.

>> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=DD72DFB01B5A1405F5918131B4A2B775&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Why Do We Have a Circumcision? (By Aron Moss)

A friend asked the other day why we have a Circumcision. I rambled on about health, tradition, old people, eight days, pain and a whole lot of other nonsense before leaving this one to you.

>> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=D4AC1CADE16733AC268985B446298168&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


Why Is the Mezuzah Slanted? (By Malkie Janowski)


I have noticed that people place the mezuzahs on their doorposts on an angle. Is there a reason for this?

>> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=75E9081A3752405DDFAB82E9A1E7DFBE&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


VIDEO

When Elijah the Prophet Appeared


Yaakov wants Elijah the Prophet to appear to him. This stop-motion animation teaches children about the power of kindness. Starring Roseanne Barr.

WATCH (4:11) >> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=D1345D77B36283F8F1C66B4E38C0E57C&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


The Abduction of Sarah (By Mendel Kaplan)


When Abraham feared that the Egyptians would kill him in order to take his wife, he asked her to pretend that she was his sister. Let us examine the texts.

WATCH (50:00) >> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=9A204204152A68AB706580DFA511386D&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


Breaking the Glass (By Dov Greenberg)


Why do we break a glass and shout "Mazal tov!" at the end of a Jewish marriage ceremony?

WATCH (1:35) >> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=E24B43143B3AA8F62EBDC192A570E679&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


WOMEN

A Mother's Tears (By Simon Jacobson)


I am one of those unfortunate souls who never had a nurturing mother . . .

>> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=6A4832B88744845CBBA831E70C39A7CE&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


Advice to an Expectant Mother (By Jay Litvin)


It's always good to have a good excuse to go to bed, and now, finally, you can do it without feeling guilty.

>> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=0B22D1D1FB5B31CB32C084BA39C2B3F0&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


Back to Normal: The Month of Cheshvan (Sara Blau)

The elevator reached the fourth floor. The doors slid open, but I was tempted to hit "lobby" and push this off for a week. I was returning home from vacation.

>> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=85EAD5E47A55F9968EE64EDB80668E27&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


RELATIONSHIPS

Whom to Marry (Correspondence by Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, The Lubavitcher Rebbe)


How is it possible to get to know a person well before the wedding? Here is some practical dating advice from the Rebbe.

>> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=16E5C6B00E68F74F10E5FED0D5CDEED8&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


A Jewish Love Story (By Esther Serebryanski)


Neither parent seemed to notice the presence of their young daughter in the entranceway. I was only ten at the time, but my sensitive nature detected that the room was full of their love for each other . . .

>> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=8165E9B2F5C5C677D3EFF8D58D87EC3F&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


STORIES

The Baal Shem Tov's "Echad" (From the Chassidic Masters)


A great calamity had befallen the Jews of Poland . . .

>> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=DD79E6BDC4996C5A2E0F16FEB39D873D&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


The Shattered Goblet (By Yerachmiel Tilles)


The chassidic community was in shock. Their rebbe was leaving them and moving to Israel.

>> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=26464F4E7B505C62F485547BC7015BD1&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

** Enjoyed this email? Please help us continue sharing the
study of Torah and Jewish traditions:

Dedicate or sponsor an email to mark your special occasion!
Please click here: http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=3877B88F5A742A33C1CF5BDEAEF7928B&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2

Please click here to make a donation to Chabad.org:
http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=A074798563D9F2D689314C3FAC8FF639&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2

** Important Tip: In order to guarantee that your Chabad.org subscription
emails continue to be delivered to you, please make sure to add our
address, subscriptions@chabad.org, to your address book, or "whitelist"
it in any spam filters or spam programs you may have.

** Manage your complete subscription profile online: Subscribes,
unsubscribes, address changes, vacation holds, and more. Register here:
http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=2881603981ED1AA6CBA4E4B724AF810A&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2&emailpk=_378243_1826535@

** To subscribe to more Chabad.org email lists please click here:
http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=2D0BD454B0B62D2607AF71FACF159D17&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2

** To be removed from this email list please click here:
http://www.chabad.org/unsub.asp?i=5AF4698367548130579FA3E28076B3AE748125D81BA3114E8E261E1F061A0A89
If you would just like your email suspended and resumed at a later
date, please let us know here:
http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=6F606AF8B980AA443A5015F378BEC435&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2&email=yurochkadrugach.yurochka@blogger.com

** You are subscribed to the "Magazine" email list as:
yurochkadrugach.yurochka@blogger.com. If your e-mail address is changing
please send us your new email address here:
http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=9D198D2B81BEB9D73E854BA895719EDB&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2&email=yurochkadrugach.yurochka@blogger.com

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Chabad.org
Chabad Lubavitch Media Center
770 Eastern Parkway * Brooklyn, NY * 11213
Web: http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=9FBF8BB0673FD1AAA3EA9C410494B884&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2
Feedback: http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=C37929D4DDAA53193894170868C7E07A&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>