Why does the Torah go into such detail about a seemingly meaningless episode and what lessons can be learned from it? Furthermore, the posuk points out that these were the same wells that Avrahom Avinu dug, later filled by the Plishtim, and now re-dug by Yitzchok. Why did Yitzchok insist on re-digging those wells when he could have looked elsewhere to dig?

In the world we choose for ourselves, practicing medicine is a shlichus and a privilege. We are doing Hashem's work, with constant opportunities of Chesed and to make a Kiddush Hashem. However, in our hectic and over burdened schedules, conflated with other responsibilities, at times we can forget that while what we are doing is important, there is more to medicine that meets the eye

The role of the three Avos were here to set examples for all mankind how to act and each had their distinct role. Avrahom is the midah, character trait, of Chessed, Yitzchok is Avodah, and Yaakov is Torah. While throughout the Book of Bereishis we find all three traits by all three forefathers, it is in their assigned traits where we see each one excelled.

Doctors, researchers, and scientists recognize the benefits of modern knowledge and appreciate new discoveries. Inevitably, colleagues or others will ask how religious Jews reconcile Torah and Science.

This idea is taught in Pirkei Avos (4:3). Do not despise any person, and do not discriminate against anything, for there is no person that has not their hour, and there is no thing that has not its place. This is what Kayin didn’t understand, this was Hevel’s time for greatness and having his achievements recognized, but Kayin would have his chance at some point.

The simcha of Sukkos is not ordinary, it is a recognition that Klal Yisroel has been brought back together with Hashem, but not in a secondary manner, rather with the full original love as when they left Mitzrayim and accepted the Torah at Sinai.

When lots are drawn, there is no thought or logic which lot goes to whom. It is a random choice and left to a higher power, one higher than any intellect can dictate. This is the essence of the day of Yom Kippur, to realize that we are operating on a plane higher than reason and to recognize Hashem’s relationship with us, and our relationship with him, is not rooted in logic or understood by explanation

This year the first day of Rosh Hashana is Shabbos and the shofar will not be sounded until the second day. If the shofar is our instrument to express our unknown cry, what happens on Shabbos?