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There are lessons for the modern ger (stranger) in the account of Avram.  We also explain historic and legal points about Melchizedek, Hagar and circumcision in this week’s torah portion, Lekh-Lekha (GO!).

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Who stole my bible?!  In this week’s torah portion, Noach (Noah), Yoel further addresses the claim that parts of the Tanakh were stolen from other cultures and writings by examining elements of the account of the flood.

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“Now Yiftach, a brave soldier from Gil‘ad, was the son of a prostitute.” Judges 11:1

Who is Yiftach (Jephthah)?  Why was the name of another god on his lips and what are we to make of his shocking vow?  Yoel fleshes out his backstory from what the biblical text and ancient culture tell us about his birth, home, upbringing and social life, and offers insight on these questions.

Was Esav really wronged?

The following article asks the question of what were the legal grounds in Bereshit 27:1-28:5 for the removal of the blessings from Esav to Ya’aqov.

The story of Ya’aqov taking away the blessing of the first-born from Esav seems to be an immoral act on the part of Ya’aqov.  Being a man of the tents, one would assume Ya’aqov would have had a much more moral path of life, and would have not agreed to his mother’s command.  However, when looking into the practices of inheritance, we actually find that what was done was in complete compliance with law and custom.

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In this week’s torah portion, Pinchas (Phinehas), Yoel addresses textual practices, priesthood, genealogy, and inheritance for women.

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Joseph’s story gives us several nuggets worthy of examination in this week’s Torah Portion, Miqets (at the end).