Thank you for standing in solidarity with our Jewish people!

Published: Tue, 11/14/23

"The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth."
Psalms 145:18

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Hi friend,

This coming Shabbat's Torah portion, read on Saturday, November 18th, is Toldot. This Torah portion, Jacob and Esau are born. Isaac relocates to Philistine where he digs wells, resulting in friction between him and the locals. Rebecca and Jacob successfully deceive Isaac, tricking him into giving to Jacob the blessings he had intended for Esau.

Join Us Next Month for a Groundbreaking Hanukkah Symposium! Register below.

This week's thoughts by our popular teacher, Dr. Benny Benjamin talks about “And Isaac dug the wells anew”: The challenges of continuing a family business. Read it below.

Last week, our popular Root Source teacher Rabbi Gedalia Meyer talked about "Chayei Sara". Watch it below

We are delighted to share our lesson Toldot with our teacher Sondra Baras. Learn it here.

We are also delighted to share our lesson Exodus Begins: Oppression in Egypt with our teacher Rabbi Gedalia Meyer. Learn it here.

Check below to hear what Jason Caplan and Gidon Ariel have to say. Watch it below.

Navigating Campus Debates: Simplifying the Israel-Hamas Issue. Read it below.

Light Up The Church 2023: Doubling Impact, Spreading Hope, Embracing Unity. Check it below.

We sign off with a nice comment and a beautiful photo of Tel Aviv, Israel.

Shalom,

Gidon Ariel and Bob O’Dell
Root Source Founders

Parashat Toldot

Rebecca had trouble conceiving. Isaac and Rebecca prayed for children, and after twenty years of marriage Rebecca became pregnant. She was concerned about her exceedingly difficult pregnancy, and was advised by G‑d that this was due to two children – two nations – struggling in her womb.

The Nathaniel Foundation and Root Source invite you to a special Hanukkah event - Now Hanukkah was taking place in Jerusalem - on Zoom next month. This groundbreaking symposium will provide a deep dive into the history and traditions of the Hanukkah story and celebration. Don't miss this opportunity to gain new perspectives and insights into the meaning of the Hanukkah festival. We hope you'll be able to attend this exclusive online gathering.

“And Isaac dug the wells anew”: The challenges of continuing a family business

Isaac is portrayed as a less dramatic figure than his father, Abraham, and his son, Jacob. His critical role seemed to be to extend Abraham’s legacy of ethical monotheism to the next generation and beyond. Often, children of revolutionaries go off to stake out their future independent of their parent’s celebrity.

Learn here

Chayei Sara:
Rabbi Gedalia Meyer's Weekly Torah Study

“And these are the years of the life of Ishmael: one hundred years and thirty years and seven years… In the presence of all of his brothers he fell.” Thus closes parashat Chayei Sara and thus begins the history of the Ishmaelites who some 2,500 years later took up the religion of Islam, which leads us all the way to today’s present conflict between the children of Israel and the children of Ishmael. The conflict is not about land or liberty. Its roots are in religion, and only through religion can the conflict at last be put to rest.

Watch the video

Toldot

Educator Sondra Baras provides an engaging video lesson unpacking key events and personalities in Parshat Toldot. She explores the relationships between Jacob and Esau and Isaac and Rebekah, analyzing themes of sibling rivalry, parental favoritism, deception, and destiny. Watch the video below to gain new perspectives on this Torah portion's complex narratives.

Learn here

Exodus Begins: Oppression in Egypt

Rabbi Gedalia Meyer will be launching his channel “God: The Jewish Image” soon. While people know him as a rabbi, he prefers you simply call him by his first name, Gedalia. Listen as he introduces himself to you.

Learn here

Conversations:

Gidon Ariel and Jason Caplan -

November 6, 2023

Gidon and Jason discuss the current global situation, focusing on the moral clarity demonstrated by some institutions. They also touch on the importance of moral thinking, the danger of group identity and enemy creation, and the influence of religious leaders. Gidon and Jason also discuss the situation in Memphis regarding support for the Jewish community and Israel and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. They also talk about anti-semitism and Islamophobia and the importance of standing together in the face of conflict.

Watch the video

Navigating Campus Debates: Simplifying the Israel-Hamas Issue

A university student asked Rabbi Ari Shvat for advice on engaging in debates about the Gaza war with pro-Palestinian groups. Read Rabbi Shvat's insights on navigating these challenging campus conversations about Israel's complex history and security challenges.