Vayera-Chaya+Sara-Toldot

**Overview of Lech Lecha - Vayera: Avraham and His Nisyonot.** **Why does G-d test us? Who Gets the Gold Medal?**





**Chayei Sara: Avraham's Purchase of Ma'arat Hamachpela.** 

**Why does he call himself a גר ותושב, a stranger and a resident?**



Which one was he - a Ger or a Toshav? How can you be both? We studied the use of the words גר ותושב in Vayikra, conluding that the Jewish people were in Egypt, then Israel, so we were also ‘strangers, then residents.’ A comparison of the pshat (simple explanation) and drash (deeper explanation) of this pasuk (verse) ensued. Furthermore, G-d's claim to the ownership of the Land of Israel in Vayikra places us all as Gerim Vetoshavim (strangers and residents). We concluded by understanding Avraham's problematic purchase of the land in tribal laws.

**Toldot: The Blessings of Yitzchak: I've Got the Power!** 



Yitzchak gives three blessings in Parshat Toldot; To whom does he think he's giving them and what kind of blessing does he give? We discussed worthwhile blessings, the ramifications of social, political, spiritual, and physical blessings, who got them and what they mean for the future of Yaakov and Esav. Is there a way for them to live harmoniously?