While other religions were initiated solely by men, Judaism’s founders were the dynamic husband and wife team of Avraham and Sarah.

This week’s Torah portion, Vayera, opens with Hashem demonstrating the mitzvah of visiting the sick when he attends Avraham as he recuperates from his brit milah.

In this week’s Torah portion, Lech Lecha, we are introduced to the personality and philosophy of our patriarch, Avraham Avinu. Although he was a great teacher and had many followers, he is not known as “Avraham our teacher.” Instead, he is known to us as the model of true חסד, acts of loving kindness. The knowledge of God attained in his quest for truth changed the internal direction of his soul.

This week’s parsha, parshat Noach, reads like one of the great novels of all time, only this story is true. Noach is the man who literally saved the world.

Rosh Hashanah begins at sunset on Monday evening. Rosh Hashanah initiates the 10 Days of Awe that end on Yom Kippur. During this time every person in the world has the opportunity to reestablish his or her relationship with God.