B"H

Monday, Mar-Cheshvan 15, 5784 / October 30, 2023

In this week's Parsha, Vayeira, we read about the birth of Yitzchak (Isaac) when Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah at the age of 90. Yitzchak was the first child to be circumcised at eight days.  He is the only one of our forefathers whose name was chosen by G-d.

The name Yitzchak comes from the root word "tzchok" which means laughter. Yitzchak's birth brought joy and laughter to his parents who were 90 and 100 years old.  

Also, the numerical value of the four letters which spell the name Yitzchak (Yud, Tzadik, Chet, Kuf) have a special relationship to the birth of Yitzchak.

"Yud" is numerically 10.  This alludes to the 10 tests which G-d tested Abraham and in whose merit, he received G-d's everlasting covenant and blessings. 

"Tzadik" is numerically 90. This alludes to Sarah's age at the time of Yitzchak's birth. 

"Chet" is numerically 8.  This indicates to the fact that Yitzchak was the first to be circumcised at 8 days. 

"Kuf" is numerically 100.  This represents Abraham's age at the time of Yitzchak's birth.

Q.  Why is the Brit (circumcision)performed at eight days and not sooner?

A.  One reason is that the baby is not physically strong enough before the 8th day. Another reason, according to the Zohar, is that before the Brit the child needs the spiritual strength which comes with Shabbat.  We wait seven full days, so that he will have a Shabbat before the Brit. There are other reasons, as well.

Performing the Brit at eight days teaches us that our commitment and covenant with G-d must begin at the earliest age.  One cannot wait until the child grows up and makes his own choice. The very survival of the people of Israel depends upon our children.

A father had to take some paperwork back home to finish that night.  Knowing that his ten-year-old son might disturb him, he bought his child a puzzle.  Looking through a variety of puzzles, he noticed one with a map of the world.  "This will surely keep my son occupied for a long time!" he thought. 

He bought the puzzle and gave it to his son.  Both the father and son were happy. However, not too long afterwards, the boy ran to his father, all excited, "I completed the puzzle!"

"Impossible! " said the father.  "You couldn't put together the world in so short a time?"

"It was not so difficult, daddy," exclaimed the boy, excitedly.  "This was a two-in-one puzzle.  On the reverse side of the map was a picture of a child.  I put together the child and when the child came out perfect, the world, on the other side, came out perfect too!"  Our future are our children.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

WITH SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISRAEL