Thursday, Mar-Cheshvan 22, 5782 / October 28, 2021
Parshat Chayei Sarah begins with the passing of our Matriarch Sarah at the age of 127. The Torah describes the details how Abraham went about to purchase a burial place and arrange for her burial. Later in this Parsha we read about the passing of Abraham at the age of 175.
In this Parsha the Torah also describes in great detail how, after Sarah’s passing, Abraham sent his trusted servant Eliezer to choose a wife for his son, Yitzchak. Most of the Parsha is about how Eliezer makes his choice of who should be Yitzchak’s wife. He negotiates with Rivkah's family to get their permission and blessings to take Rivkah back with him as a wife for Yitzchak.
Yitzchak was 40 years old when Abraham sends Eliezer to choose a wife for him.
Our sages explain how the name of the Parsha, Chayei Sarah, which literally means, "the life of Sarah," fits with the details of the Parsha which are about the passing and burial of Sarah.
Our sages say, "The wicked even when they are alive are called dead, while the righteous even after they die are called alive."
Sarah, being the matriarch of the Jewish people and one of seven prophetesses, was considered alive even when physically she had passed away. This is hinted in the name of this Parsha, Chayei Sarah.
Our sages tell us that when Rivkah came into the tent of Sarah, all the miracles which took place during Sarah's lifetime returned and it was as if Sarah was still alive. Thus, Sarah continued living through the good deeds and mitzvot of her son Yitzchak and his wife, Rivkah.
Sarah, who passed away at 127, lived 48 years less than Abraham, who passed away at 175. In Ecclesiastes (5:11) King Solomon says, "Sweet is the sleep of the laborer, whether he eats little or much." King Solomon is speaking of those who “labor” in the observance of the Mitzvot. “Nomatter if one performed many good deeds, because they lived longer, or less, because they lived fewer years, they will get the same reward!"
The Midrash explains this with a parable: A king hired workers. While they were working, the king came by and called one of them to accompany him. As a result, the worker accomplished less than the others.
In the evening when all the workers came to claim their salary, the king paid each one, also the person who walked with him. Can the king say, "I won't give you a day's work, for you haven't worked as much as them?” The worker can say to the king, “It was you who kept me from my work."
The same applies when G-d calls a person back to Him at a younger age. G-d doesn’t measure achievement by the sum of mitzvot, but by how we fulfilled and spent those years allotted to us.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL DAY
B"H
Friday, Mar-Cheshvan 23, 5782 / October 29, 2021
In the beginning of this week’s Parsha, Chayei Sarah, after telling us that Sarah lived 127 years, the Torah adds, “These were the years of the life of Sarah.” Our sages tell us that with these words the Torah tells us that although Sarah endured years of difficulty and hardships, yet, she accepted G-d’s will and considered all her years as good.
The Talmud tells about the sage Nachum Ish Gam Zu. This story illustrates how true belief that whatever G-d does is for the good, transformed a potentially disastrous situation into great success.
The reason Rabbi Nachum was called “Nachum Ish Gam Zu,” was because no matter what happened to him, he would say, "Gam Zu L'Tovah" - "This too is for the good".
Once, the Romans made a harsh decree against Jews in Israel. It was decided to send Rabbi Nachum to plead with the king, because "He is used to having miracles performed for him!"
Rabbi Nachum went to Rome with a box full of gold and precious stones as a gift to the king. On the way, he stopped overnight at an inn. While Rabbi Nachum was asleep, the innkeeper stole the valuables and filled the box with earth instead. In the morning, when Rabbi Nachum opened the box and saw the earth, he was puzzled, but said, "Gam Zu L'Tovah - this is also for the good." He took the box and continued to Rome.
Rabbi Nachum presented the king with the box. "This is a gift from the Jews," he said. The king opened the box and became very angry. "The Jews are mocking me! I will kill them all!" he cried. Rabbi Nachum didn't become frightened and said, “Gam Zu L’Tovah” - "This is also for the good!"
G-d then sent Eliyahu Hanavi (Elijah the prophet) disguised as one of the king's advisers. He said to the king, "The Jews wouldn't make fun of you. This earth must be special. When their forefather Abraham fought against the mighty army of the four kings, he threw sand at them, and G-d transformed the sand into arrows and thereby he won the war! Maybe this earth is the same." The king, who was at war with a neighboring country, tested it and G-d made a miracle and transformed the earth into arrows.
Not only did the king nullify his evil decree, but he also had the box filled with precious stones and sent it back with Rabbi Nachum as a gift to the Jewish people.
On the way home, Rabbi Nachum stayed at the same inn. When the innkeeper heard what happened, he said, "I had no idea that my earth was so valuable. I will fill a whole carriage full of earth and bring it to the king. He will surely reward me handsomely!" The innkeeper came to the king with his load of earth claiming that it was the same earth as the one Rabbi Nachum brought. The king tested it, but nothing happened. The innkeeper, naturally, was punished.
The Tzemach Tzedek, third Lubavitcher Rebbe, would advise his followers in times of stress due to illness or business; "Tracht gut vet zein gut" - "Think positive and things will be good."
SHABBAT SHALOM
Montreal candle lighting time: 5:27 / Shabbat ends: 6:29
B"H
Monday, Mar-Cheshvan 26, 5782 / November 1, 2021
In Parshat Toldot, which we will read this Shabbat, the Torah relates that Yitzchak and Rivkah were married many years but had no children.
They prayed andG-d answered their prayers. Rivkah conceived and gave birth to twins – Esau and Yaakov (Jacob). For fifteen years, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob lived all together. Their grandfather Abraham was 160, while Isaac was 60, when the twins were born.
Q. There are three daily prayers. The Morning prayer (Shacharit); Afternoon prayer (Mincha); and the Evening prayer (Ma’ariv). Why three prayers?
A. The three prayers are associated with our three patriarchs– Avraham (Abraham),Yitzchak (Isaac)and Yaakov (Jacob). In the Torah we find that each of the patriarchs prayed and the Torah associates their prayers to different times of the day. The Shacharit (morning) prayer is related to Avraham; Mincha (afternoon) prayer to Yitzchak; and the Ma’ariv(evening) service is linked to Yaakov (Jacob). The three prayers recall their merits to bring about a positive response to our prayers.
The three prayers also remind us to be connected to G-d all day long! The Shacharit service is recited before one begins the working day. The Mincha service is recited in the afternoon, during work hours. Ma’ariv is recited after finishing our workday.
In a deeper sense, the three prayers represent three different periods in a person's life. "Shacharit" represents a person's early years when one attends Yeshiva or Hebrew school. "Ma’ariv" represents a person's retirement years. During this time, one has more time to attend synagogue and become active in the Jewish community. The Mincha service represent a person’s working years.
Our sages say, “A person must be extra careful with the Mincha prayer.” With this our sages teach us that it is not enough to study Torah and attend synagogue during the early childhood years or later, during the retirement, years. One must be careful with the "Mincha years," when we are busy working and doing business, when we are occupied with our material and financial success. During these years we must be extra careful to fulfill our spiritual responsibilities to ourselves, our family and our community.
Q. Abraham’s original name, Abram, was changed to, “Avraham.” Also Yaakov had the name “Israel” added to him. Why, was Yitzchak’s name never changed or added to?
A. G-d changed the name “Abram” which means, “Father of onenation,” to Abraham whichmeans, “Father of a multitude of nations.” Yaakov, comes from the word “heel.” He was called so because at birth he held on to his twin brother’s heel. The angel later added the name “Israel” which means “master.” But, “Yitzchak” means “joy and laughter.” There was no reason to change his name. The Torah says, “Serve G-d with joy!” Laughter and happiness are everything! May we all be blessed with joy, laughter, and happiness. Amen.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
B"H
Tuesday, Mar-Cheshvan 27, 5782 / November 2, 2021
In this week's Parsha, Toldot, the Torah tells us that Yitzchak (Isaac) and Rivkah (Rebbeca), after twenty years of marriage were still not blessed with children. They prayed intensely to be blessed with a child and G-d answered their prayers. Rivkah conceived, but she had a very difficult pregnancy. There was a constant struggle within her womb. Rivkah was distressed and went to Noach's son, Shaim, to inquire about her situation.
Shaim told her, "There are two nations within your womb. Two peoples shall be separated from you and the elder one will serve the younger one". When Rivkah gave birth, she indeed, had twins. The first child who emerged was ruddy, with a mantle of hair and they called his name Esau. Then his brother came forth holding Esau's heel. He was named Yaakov (Jacob).
Q.Why is it that three of our matriarchs; Sarah, Rivkah and Rachel couldn’t have children by the laws of nature, only through prayer and a miracle did they have children?
A. Our sages explain that G-d wanted them to pray to Him, for He loves the prayers of the righteous.
It also teaches us that the birth and existence of the Jewish nation is related to forces much higher than nature. Sarah gave birth to Yitzchak at the age of 90 defying the laws of nature. Jacob's birth was also related to the prayer of his parents. Jacob had his children when he was in his eighties.
Jewish existence and survival, throughout the generations and to this very day, was and is connected with G-dly forces higher than nature.
"Tefilah" - "Prayer" is an essential part of our Jewish faith. Our sages find the importance of the mitzvah of prayer in the Sh'ma Israel (Hear O' Israel...), which we recite every morning and night each day of the year; "...To love the L-rd your G-d and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul..." To "serve Him with all your heart" refers to prayer which is a service of the heart.
Prayer is one of the main principles of Jewish faith. We believe that G-d is accessible to everyone and G-d hears everyone’s prayers. No prayer ever goes to waste. Through prayer we connect to G-d.
Is it ever too late for prayer to help? Rabbi Yochanan and Rabbi Elazar said, "Even if a sharp sword is actually resting on a man's neck, he should not hold himself back from praying for G-d's mercy!"
Does one's continuous prayers become bothersome to G-d? Rabbi Ze'era said, "A person who has a friend who beseeches him with his needs and pleas continuously may come to dislike him and avoid him. But, with the Holy One blessed be He, it is not so. The more a person pleads with G-d for his needs the more G-d loves him..."
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
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