Parashat Lech Lecha: Ideology vs. Theology

Rabbanit Shani Taragin shares thoughts on doing something we find meaning in or desire, as opposed to doing them because they are a command of God. That applies to Avraham’s journey to Eretz Yisrael, and to our own need to protect our health. See the attached source sheet: EDEN – Lech-Lecha- Ideology vs. Theology Watch Shani as she teaches about the Halakhic imperative to take care of our health this Thursday (October 29th) at 8pm (Israel time) in  a special evening of breast cancer awareness, knowledge and prevention. Shani wrote the following tribute about Avigail Poupko Rock z”l whom the evening is in memory of I first met Avigayil when we were co-students in the Tanach department in Bar-Ilan University and later as co-teachers in Midreshet Moriah. Together with Yael Ziegler, Avigayil and I founded the Gush Summer Learning Program for Women and continued to teach together in advanced women’s learning programs – in Midreshet Lindenbaum, Matan’s branches in Yerushalayim, Renana, Beit Shemesh and Chashmonaim, and in the Eden Center. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago, Avigayil reached out as mentor and friend to guide me through the process – medically, bureaucratically, emotionally and psychologically. It was Avigayil who encouraged me to continue teaching Torah through treatments and to add breast cancer to my repertoire of women’s health issues necessary to address. Tonight is a special opportunity to pay tribute to Avigayil’s contribution to breast cancer awareness and a personal zechut for me to say “thank you Avigayil for your special friendship, mentorship, and chavruta in confronting and learning from challenges of health. Thank you for reminding me to smile and laugh and sing with our daughters and to never forget to thank HaKadosh Baruch Hu and His selfless medical messengers for the not-so-small miracles of kindness and strength we experience every day. יהי זכרה ברוך Register here or join live for this breast cancer awareness event. Click here to sponsor an episode of this podcast.