B"H

Monday, Mar-Cheshvan 24, 5785 / November 25, 2024

It is with great pain and sorrow that I write this Torah Fax after the terrible news of the murder of the Chabad Shliach-emissary to the UAE, Rabbi Tzvi Kogan, who was murdered for the sole sin of being JEWISH and helping other Jews.

Rabbi Kogan was a very special person. He lived in Abu Dhabi, as one of the Chabad emissaries on a mission of helping the Jewish locals and tourists in their spiritual needs. He also ran a kosher supermarket supplying the Jewish community with their kosher requirements.

May Hashem avenge his blood. May Hashem comfort his wife, his parents and his entire family. May we merit the coming of Moshiach and an end to all this murder, bloodshed and killings.

AM YISRAEL CHAI.

This week's Parsha, Toldot, begins with the birth of the famous twins, Esau and Yaakov, who were born to Yitzchak (Isaac) and Rivkah (Rebecca).  After twenty years of marriage, G-d answered their prayers and Rivkah conceived and gave birth to twin boys.  

Three of the four matriarchs were barren.  Sarah gave birth at the age of 90!  Rivkah (Rebecca) gave birth twenty years after they were married, only after she and her husband prayed intensely for children, as told in this Parsha. Also, Jacob’s wife, Rachel, didn’t have a child until seven years later.

Q.  Why did G-d decree that the matriarchs, Sarah, Rivkah and Rachel had difficulty conceiving?

A.  Our sages explain that G-d wanted them to pray to Him, for G-d desires the prayers of the righteous. This teaches us the greatness and importance of prayer.  G-d may at times withhold something from us in order that we should pray to him.

Q.   How strong is the power of prayer?

A.    The following Talmudic sayings about prayer show the power and effect that prayer has: 

Rabbi Chama bar Chanina said, "If a person sees that their prayer wasn't answered, one should not get discouraged but continue to pray as long as needed."

Rabbi Ze'era said, "A person who has a friend who beseeches him with his needs and pleas continuously may in time come to dislike him and avoid him.  But, with the Holy One blessed be He, it is not so.  The more one pleads with G-d for their needs the more G-d loves them."

Rabbi Yochanan and Rabbi Elazar said, "Even when the sharp side of the sword is on a man's neck, he should not refrain from praying for G-d's mercy!"

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW