Chukat Akum insists a Jew must make a point of being different than others.

It is clear that Esav was fated to be a failure.

The method by which one chooses a spouse is less significant than we might imagine; there are models of both romantic and arranged marriages in the Torah.

Jews certainly know how to laugh at themselves, and to make fun of their failings.

Because the narrative in the Torah focuses mostly on Avraham, it is easy to overlook that the sacrifices Sarah makes are more exceptional.

The focus on greatness has had a profound impact on Jewish culture, and has made greatness a life goal to be embraced.

It should be noted that overwork is ultimately impractical. After a certain point, productivity suffers and burnout is common. The Midrash says that Moses, while still in Pharaoh’s household, convinced  Pharaoh to allow the Jewish slaves to rest on Shabbat. Moses argued that a Sabbath would be to Pharaoh’s benefit; slaves that never stop working will die from overwork.

Sukkot teaches us the wisdom of hindsight, and that events look differently many years later.

Real heroes are people of character, not characters on TV. Real heroes wear uniforms, not couture. Real heroes are too busy helping others to take the time to post selfies on Instagram.

He was dating a non-Jewish woman seriously, and when Sarah would ask him if he planned on raising his children as Jews, his answer was no; Judaism wasn’t important to him. Sarah had one question for me: how do I convince my son to be Jewish?