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Miketz 5781: Human Effort and Faith in God. A Contradiction in Terms?

Introduction

In a challenging comment at the end of last week’s Torah reading, the Midrash condemns Joseph for putting his faith in human assistance rather than turning directly to God. We pose the question: Does faith entail an abandonment of human initiative? Does belief clash with this-worldly action?

Download the Source Sheet

Sources include Genesis 39, Genesis 40, Genesis 41 and Genesis 45.

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Credits
Rabbi Alex Israel – Faculty and Host for Pardes from Jerusalem
Rabbi Adam Titcher – Lead Consultant and Producer
Arlene Harel – Faculty Coordinator

Alex Israel

Rabbi Alex Israel teaches Bible at Pardes. Born and raised in London, he holds degrees from London School of Economics, the Institute of Education London and Bar-Ilan University. Alex studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion under Rav Aharon Lichtenstein and Rav Yehudah Amital, and gained Rabbinic ordination from the Israeli Rabbinate.

Alex has taught for twenty years in many top Jerusalem Yeshivot and Midrashot. He is also a volunteer for Tzohar, a group that seeks to bridge the gaps between religious and secular communities In Israel. Alex lives with his wife and 4 children in Gush Etzion.

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