Guiding Questions: Genesis 15

Exploring Judaism

This is part of the Tanakh Yomi Project.

Genesis 15:1 describes what mode of Divine communication with Abram? Has it happened before? Has text told the reader?
What is a “magen” – a shield or a sovereign (or both)?
Has Abram dialogued with Divinity before (Genesis 15:2) and now, what is his sole observation?
What is the Divine response (Genesis 15:4 – 6) and what is Abram’s reaction?
What is tzedakah in this context? (Genesis 15:6)
In Genesis 15:7–11 what do these preparations imply? (Why does Abram chase away the birds – what do they symbolize in some other Near Eastern cultures?)
In Genesis 15:12, what is Abram’s condition when the future revelation is shared with him – and is the nation specified in the revelation?
How does Genesis 15:16 explain the delayed inheritance of the land?
What does the fiery furnace symbolize? And, why a symbol?
In sum, this vignette describes a covenant between whom and whom?

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Exploring Judaism

Exploring Judaism is the digital home for Conservative/Masorti Judaism, embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning, learning, and connecting. Our goal is to create content based on three core framing: Meaning-Making (Why?), Practical Living (How?), and Explainers (What?).
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Perek Yomi materials originally produced by the USCJ and Dr. Morton K. Siegel.
We are grateful to be able to share this material.

Author

Exploring Judaism

Exploring Judaism is the digital home for Conservative/Masorti Judaism, embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning, learning, and connecting. Our goal is to create content based on three core framing: Meaning-Making (Why?), Practical Living (How?), and Explainers (What?).

Post categories: Parashat Lech Lecha, Parashat Lech Lecha Study Guide, Sefer Bereshit / Book of Genesis, Tanakh Yomi, Torah

Post tags: Genesis 15, Perek Yomi (USCJ)

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Exploring Judaism is a home for the TorahRefers to the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, the Tanakh, also called the Five Books of Moses, Pentateuch or the Hebrew equivalent, Humash. This is also called the Written Torah. The term may also refer to teachings that expound on Jewish tradition. of Conservative Judaism, embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning, learning, and connecting. There is always something to learn and explore.