B"H

Tuesday, Mar-Cheshvan 14, 5783 (Hakhel Year) / November 8, 2022

The mitzvah of circumcision (Brit), about which we read at the end of last week’s Parsha, Lech Lecha, and in this week’s Parsha, Vayeira, was banned many times throughout Jewish history. Circumcision was one of the mitzvot for which the Maccabees fought for and thus we have the miracle of Chanukah.

It has been one of the mitzvot which Jews throughout the generations strictly adhered to. It was upheld and performed even under the greatest of threats. Even in the concentration camps, there are stories of Jews who made sure that their infants had a Brit.

My maternal grandfather was a Mohel, who performed the ritual of circumcision, in the city of Gomel, Russia.  Under the Stalin reign of terror in Russia in the 1930’s, when the performance of Judaism was prohibited and anyone caught performing a Brit could be sentenced to be shot or sent away to Siberia, my grandfather, of blessed memory, was happy to perform this mitzvah for those who were willing to have their children circumcised.  He knew the sacrifice he was making, but that didn’t stop him.  In the end, he was caught and tried for his “crime” and shot.  He wasn’t even 40 years old at the time.

Q.   Why is this mitzvah so unique and so special?

A.  It was the first mitzvah given to our forefather, Abraham.  It is the only mitzvah which is performed in our body and stays with us until the day we die. It is the only mitzvah through which G-d made 13 covenants between Himself and the Jewish people.

The Talmud says that King David was at all times careful to perform mitzvot and study Torah.  He was completely connected to G-d every minute of the day.  Once, when King David was in the bathhouse, he realized that he was not only physically naked, but also naked of Mitzvot, for in the bathhouse one is prohibited to study Torah, and he had no mitzvah to perform there.  He felt bad.  But then he remembered that he was circumcised and knew that no matter where he was, he was always connected to G-d through the mitzvah of Brit Milah!  This is why this mitzvah is so unique.  It is the only mitzvah which is with us all the time.

The Talmud tells the following story: The wicked Roman governor, Turnusrufus, once asked Rabbi Akiva, “Whose deeds are more beautiful, G-d’s doings or that of man?

“That of man,” replied Rabbi Akiva, for man improves on the work of G-d.”  To prove his point, Rabbi Akiva brought him wheat and barley and baked bread and asked him, “Is not the man-made bread, better than the grains?  You see, man can improve on G-d’s work.”

“But if G-d desires for you to be circumcised, why didn’t he make the infant born circumcised?” he challenged. Rabbi Akiva replied, “G-d gave the Jewish people the commandments in order that we shall be purified through them.”  Circumcision, like all other mitzvot, is not for health benefits.  It may have that too, but that’s only secondary.  The true benefit is that it connects us with G-d in an everlasting bond.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

B"H

Thursday, Mar-Cheshvan 16, 5783 (Hakhel Year) / November 10, 2022

Each morning, after reciting the various morning blessings in which we thank G-d for everything He gave and gives us; our life; our eyesight; able to stand, to walk, food, clothing etc., we recite the following:

"These are the precepts whose fruits a person enjoys in this world but whose principle remains intact for him in the World-to-Come.  They are, honoring one's father and mother, performing acts of kindness, early attendance at the house of study morning and evening, hospitality to guests, visiting the sick, providing for a bride, escorting the dead, devotion in prayer, bringing peace between man and his fellow and between man and his wife - and the study of Torah is equivalent to them all."

According to our sages, the mitzvah of hospitality to guests, which is called, Hachnasat Orchim, is so great that a person is rewarded for this mitzvah in this world and in the World-to-Come.

We learn the greatness of two of these mitzvot, hospitality to guests and visiting the sick, from this week's Parsha, Vayeira.

The Parsha begins, "And the L-rd appeared to him [Abraham] while he sat at the door of the tent in the heat of the day.  And he lifted up his eyes and saw three men standing before him."  Abraham ran to meet them and begged them not to go on before coming into his tent. 

The Torah describes in great detail how Abraham himself, although he had many servants, attended to his guests; "Let now be fetched a little water to wash your feet and recline under the tree...  And I will fetch bread...  And Abraham hastened into the tent... He tells Sarah to bake bread, while he runs to prepare a cow for their meal."

All this took place on the third day after Abraham was circumcised at the age of 99.  G-d visited Abraham that day because Abraham was ill due to his circumcision.  G-d performed the mitzvah of visiting the sick. G-d also made it unbearably hot so that no one would travel and bother Abraham.  However, Abraham sat at the door of his tent looking for someone who needed help and hospitality, in order to perform this great mitzvah. When G-d saw Abraham's desire to perform this mitzvah, He sent three angels disguised as people to visit Abraham.

Although G-d was with Abraham, as soon as the three travelers appeared, Abraham takes leave of G-d and runs toward the three strangers to invite them into his tent. Based on this episode, the Talmud tells us that, "Offering hospitality to guests is greater than being in the Divine Presence."

Abraham's response also teaches the importance of personally fulfilling a mitzvah.  Performing mitzvot should be viewed as an honor and privilege. By performing a mitzvah, we fulfill G-d's will and thus connect and become united with G-d.  Our sages tell us that it is always better to perform the mitzvah ourselves than to delegate it to someone else on our behalf.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

B"H

Monday, Mar-Cheshvan 20, 5783 (Hakhel Year) / November 14, 2022

This week’s Parsha, Chayei Sarah, begins with the passing of our matriarch Sarah and how Abraham bought the Me’arat Hamachpeilah – the cave of Machpeilah, as the family burial plot.

The Torah tells us in great length the details of the transaction, how Abraham acquired this burial site.  Abraham first speaks to the people of Chait and asks them to set up a meeting for him with Ephron.  He tells Ephron that he wants to buy the cave which is at the end of his field, to bury his wife, Sarah. Ephron offers to give Abraham the plot as a gift.  But Abraham refuses and insists on buying it.  In the end Abraham gives Ephron four hundred pure silver shekels and he acquired the field and the cave within it.

Q.Why does the Torah, in which every word is so measured, describe this purchase in such great detail?

A.The Torah knew that there will be nations who will claim that these holy places belong to them.  As we see today, how the Arabs are trying to rewrite history and claim that the land belongs to them.  Thus, the Torah records in detail how the cave was purchased to show that this Holy place indeed belongs to Jews.  Not only because G-d gave it to us, but also from a commerce perspective, it was purchased legally.

Q.The patriarchs were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  Jacob’s name was later changed to Israel.  G-d promised the Holy Land first to Abraham then to Isaac and then to Jacob.  Why is the Holy Land called, “Eretz Israel” (“Land of Israel-Jacob”) and not the land of Abraham or the land of Yitzchak (Isaac)?

A.Abraham had a son, Ishmael, and more children; Yitzchak had a son Esau. Thus, there are more nations who draw their heritage from Abraham and Isaac. However, all of Jacob’s children were the tribes of Israel.  The Holy Land is called, “Eretz Israel” to show that it belongs only to the descendants of Israel.

Q.  “Me’arat HaMachpeilah” means “double cave.”  Why was it called, “The double cave”?

A.  Rashi gives two reasons: 1) It was a double cave.  2) The ones buried there were buried as couples (double). They are; Adam and Eve; Abraham and Sarah; Isaac and Rivkah; Jacob and Leah.

Q.  The name of the Parsha is “Chayei Sarah” which translates “The life of Sarah.” Yet, we read about the passing of Sarah.

A.  Our sages say that righteous people live on even after their passing! The fact that their children continue their good deeds, and their positive effect on society keeps them alive even after their passing. Sarah’s son, Yitzchak, who continued in her ways, kept her memory alive even after her physical years in

this physical world.

Sarah lived for 127 years. She gave birth to her son, Yitzchak, at 90. Yitzchak was 37 years old when G-d told Abraham to bring Yitzchak for a sacrifice. Sarah passed away right after that.  

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY