Torah Stories by Value: Hospitality, Humility, Forgiveness

Faith

אמונה

Believing in God and walking in His way even without understanding everything.

Parashat Lech LechaAvram Sets OutFaith does not wait for a map: it sets out on a promise.

Trust in God

ביטחון בה׳

Relying on God to look after us even when the way is unclear.

Parashat NoachNoach’s Ark and the DoveWhoever trusts in God waits one more week and sends the dove again.

Awe of Heaven

יראת שמיים

Always remembering before Whom we stand, and so keeping away from wrong.

Parashat VayetzeiYaakov’s LadderAwe of Heaven awakens when we discover God was here even when we did not know.
Parashat VayeshevYosef in Potiphar’s HouseWhoever knows before Whom they stand needs no witnesses to say no.
Parashat ShemotShifra and PuahAwe of Heaven holds back the hand, even when a king commands harm.

Self-sacrifice

מסירות נפש

Giving up what is most precious to you for the sake of Heaven or of someone else.

Humility

ענווה

Knowing your place and not taking pride in what you were given.

Accepting God’s decree

קבלת הדין

Accepting what God decides even when the heart asks for something else.

Parashat Vezot HaberachahMoshe on Mount NevoOne who knows he will not reach the goal can still prepare a successor.

Patience

סבלנות

Mastering anger and impulse, and giving people and things time.

Parashat ToldotThe Lentil StewHunger passes after one meal, but what we sold because of it stays sold.

Courage

אומץ לב

Facing fear and carrying on doing what is right.

Parashat VayishlachWrestling Until DawnWhoever holds on even when hurt comes out of the struggle with a blessing.

Responsibility

אחריות

Owning what you did and what is in your power to do.

Mutual responsibility

ערבות הדדית

Caring about another person’s fate as if it were your own.

Love your neighbour

ואהבת לרעך

Loving the person beside you and caring for them as for yourself.

Parashat BereshitNot Good to Be AloneWe stop being alone when someone is beside us, not when something surrounds us.

Human dignity

כבוד הבריות

Honouring every person, because every person is created in God’s image.

Parashat BereshitCreation of the WorldBefore a person has a name or deeds, they are already created in God’s image.

Loving-kindness

גמילות חסדים

Doing good for others without expecting anything back.

Parashat ShemotMoshe in the BasketKindness begins the moment you see a crying child and do not walk past.

Hospitality

הכנסת אורחים

Welcoming a guest gladly, quickly and with an open heart.

Pursuing peace

רדיפת שלום

Seeking peace between people, and giving way so it can last.

Parashat Lech LechaAvram and Lot Part WaysWhen space is tight for two, whoever pursues peace lets the other choose first.

Guarding your tongue

שמירת הלשון

Guarding against words that hurt a person, even when said behind their back.

Parashat VayeshevYosef’s CoatWords, too, can deepen hatred between brothers.

Forgiveness

סליחה ומחילה

Letting go of anger towards someone who hurt you, and starting afresh.

Parashat VayigashI Am YosefSomeone who truly forgives cares even about the pain of the one who hurt them.

Repentance

תשובה

Admitting a mistake, putting it right and returning to the good path.

Parashat VayikraBack to Its OwnerThe road to forgiveness runs through the person we wronged.

Justice

צדק

Judging fairly, without favouritism and without rushing.

Parashat VayeraAvraham Argues for SodomTrue justice does not judge the righteous and the wicked alike, even when they are neighbours.

Passing on the tradition

העברת המסורת

Receiving the tradition from parents and elders and passing it on to the next generation.

Values in the Torah stories