B"H
Monday, Mar-Cheshvan 22, 5784 / November 6, 2023
This week's Parsha, Chayei Sarah, begins with the passing of Abraham’s wife, our matriarch, Sarah.
The Parsha begins, "And the life of Sarah was one hundred years and twenty years and seven years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. And Sarah died in Kiryat Arba which is Hebron in the land of Canaan and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her."
The Torah describes in detail how Abraham purchased the "Ma'arat HaMachpeila," the Cave of Machpeila, in the city of Hebron, as a family burial plot. He buried Sarah in the Ma’arat HaMachpeila.
Q. Why did Abraham choose that particular cave as the family burial plot?
A. Abraham wanted this special burial place for his wife, Sarah, because Adam and Eve (Chava) were buried in the cave of Machpeila. Later, Abraham’s son, Yitzchak, and his wife, Rivkah; Abraham’s grandson, Yaakov, and his wife, Leah, were buried there too. To this day, that site is visited by Jews.
Q. The first word of the Parsha is “Vayihu.” The numerical value of the Hebrew word “Vayihu,” is 37. What is the connection between the number 37 and the life of Sarah?
A. The Parsha begins that the life of Sarah was 127 years. However, of all these years, the last 37 years of her life, stood out from the rest, for they were very special years for Sarah. These were the 37 years in which she had her son, Yitzchak. Sarah was 90 when she gave birth to Yitzchak. She was 127 when she passed away. Thus, these 37 years were very special in Sarah’s life.
Q. The Parsha begins, "And the life of Sarah was one hundred years and twenty years and seven years; these were the years of the life of Sarah.” The words, “these were the years of the life of Sarah,” seem to be repetitious?
A. Our sages explain that the extra words, "these were the years of the life of Sarah," teach us that all 127 years of Sarah’s life were the same - they were all good." Many of these years she and Abraham went through many difficulties and tests, and she was childless until age 90. Yet, just as her last 37 years, when she had her son, Yitzchak, were good years for her, so too, she considered all her 127 years as good ones.
Q. In the past two Parshiot, we read about the many trials and difficulties which Sarah endured. The tests which Abraham endured were also trials and tribulations for Sarah. How then can the Torah say that, "all of Sarah's years were equally good?"
A. Our sages in the Talmud give the following instruction, "A person must bless G-d for the bad just as they would bless Him for the Good." For, although we do not see the good in a particular act or event, it is because we cannot possibly see it the way G-d does. However, we believe that G-d is good and kind, and as such we should accept it just as the things we see as good. Sarah accepted whatever G-d gave her, the gifts and even her challenges, as good.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
WITH SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISRAEL
B"H
Tuesday, Mar-Cheshvan 23, 5784 / November 7, 2023
In this week’s Parsha, Chayei Sarah, we read about the passing of the first patriarch and matriarch – Abraham and Sarah.
Q. How many years did Abraham live after Sarah’s passing?
A. Sarah passed away at the age of 127. Abraham passed away at the age of 175. Abraham was ten years older than Sarah. Thus, Abraham lived 38 years after his wife’s passing.
Q. Did Abraham have a daughter?
A. In this Parsha the Torah tells us, “And Abraham was old and advanced in age [days] and G-d blessed Abraham with everything [bakol].” The Torah uses the expression “Bakol.” According to some this refers to his son, Yitzchak. According to another opinion it refers to a daughter. Thus, Abraham did have a daughter and her name was Bakol.
Q. The Parsha begins with Sarah’s passing and Abraham's purchase of the Me’arat HaMachpeilah (cave of Machpeila) in Hebron, as a family burial plot. Who is buried in the Me’arat HaMachpeila?
A. Four couples are buried there: Adam & Eve; Abraham & Sarah; Yitzchak & Rivkah; Yaakov & Leah. This is why Hebron is also called Kiryat Arba – The City of the Four, due to the above mentioned four couples which are buried there.
Q. Speaking of burial.. why, according to Jewish custom, is the deceased buried in simple shrouds?
A. The Talmudic sage Rabbi Gamliel instituted that all Jews be buried in the same type of garment to show that rich or poor are equal in the eyes of G-d. Thus, the shrouds (Tachrichim) are made of simple cotton or linen material, no matter whether the deceased was rich or poor.
Q. Why are the shrouds made of white material?
A. White symbolizes spiritual cleanliness, holiness, and purity.
Q. Why are shrouds made without pockets?
A. Our sages say, “When a person departs from this world, neither silver nor gold, nor precious stones, nor pearls accompany them to the World-to-Come. Only the Torah, mitzvot and good deeds they performed accompany a person into the World-to-Come.” Shrouds are made without pockets to remind us that we do not take with any physical possessions, only the Torah mitzvot and good deeds which we accomplished in this world.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
WITH SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISRAEL
B"H
Thursday, Mar-Cheshvan 25, 5784 / November 9, 2023
This week's Parsha, Chayei Sarah, begins with the passing of our first matriarch, Sarah and first patriarch, Abraham. Sarah lived 127 years. Abraham lived 175 years.
Our sages say that although part of Sarah’s life was filled with trials and hardships, yet, she considered all of her years as equally good. For, her faith in G-d was so strong thatshe knew that whatever happened to her was in essence good.
There are two Parshiot in the book of Genesis which describe the passing of a righteous person. This week's Parsha speaks about the passing away of Sarah and Abraham, while Parshat Vayechi, the last Parsha in the Book of Genesis, tells about the passing of Yaakov. Yet, the names of both Parshiot emphasize life! This Parsha is "Chayei Sarah" (life of Sarah) and "Vayechi Yaakov" (Jacob lived).
Our sages explain this as follows: "A wicked person, while still alive is considered dead, but righteous people are consideredalive even after they die!" They live on through their good deeds and the good deeds of those who follow in their footsteps.
Although the Torah tells us that physically Sarah and Abraham died and were buried, yet, the Parsha is called "Chayei Sarah" - "Life of Sarah" for our matriarchs and patriarchs live on spiritually through the good deeds of their descendants - the Jewish people of all the generations.
Here is an oldie... but a goodie:
* If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back and in your closet, a roof overhead, and a place to sleep... you are richer than 50% of this world.
* If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace... you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.
* If you woke up this morning with more health than illness ... you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.
* If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation... you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.
* If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you, and furthermore, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read at all.
* If you can attend synagogue, study Torah and practice Judaism without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death ... you are more blessed than millions of our ancestors.
* So, hold up your head with a smile on your face, count your blessings and be thankful to G-d.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
WITH SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISRAEL
B"H
Monday, Mar-Cheshvan 29, 5784 / November 13, 2023
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This week's Parsha, Toldot, begins with the birth of twins to Yitzchak and Rivkah. Yitzchak was 60 and Rivkah 23 when the twins, Esau and Yaakov were born.
The Torah relates why they were named Esau and Yaakov. "And the first born came out red, full of hair like a hairy garment; and they called his name Eisav (Esau). After came his brother and his hand was holding the heel of Eisav, and he called his name Yaakov (Jacob)."
The name Esau comes from the word grass, for he looked at birth, "like a hairy garment." The name Yaakov is from the word Eikev which means heel, for he was born, "holding on to the heel of Esau."
The Torah tells us, "And the boys grew, and Esau was a hunter, a man of the field; and Yaakov was a quiet man sitting in the tents." Their father, Yitzchak, who was blind, wasn't aware of the true character of his older son and he loved Esau, but Rivkah loved Yaakov.
Our sages explain that while they were small, the difference between Esau and Yaakov wasn't as noticeable. Only when the boys reached Bar Mitzvah, one could tell between the behavior of Esau and Yaakov. Esau spent his time in the fields hunting animal and robbing people while Jacob devoted his time in prayer and study. The struggle between Esau and Yaakov, which began while they were yet in their mother's womb, continued throughout their life.
Because Yitzchak was blind, Esau was able to fool his father into thinking that he was a pious person. But Rivkah knew the true character of her son, Esau. Yet, in order not to cause her husband pain, she didn't reveal Esau's true identity to him. When Yitzchak told Esau to bring him food so that he may bless him, Rivkah prepared the food and had Yaakov bring it to Yitzchak instead. Yaakov, dressed in Esau's clothes, pretended to be Esau.
The blessings which Yitzchak gave to Yaakov begin, "May G-d give you of the dew of the heaven and of the fat of the earth..." To Esau, Yitzchak later also gave a blessing, but reversed the blessing and said, "Of the fat places of the earth shall be your dwelling and of the dew from heaven above..."
Our sages explain that the blessing to Yaakov, patriarch of the Jewish people, was that "heavenly matters" should come first - that the performance of Mitzvot be the goal for material success. The fat of the earth, should be secondary - a means to achieve spiritual goals.
The Midrash gives the following parable: A bear was standing in the marketplace adorned with many diamonds and precious stones. A man called out, "Whoever will go on top of the bear can have everything on it." A wise person in the crowd called out, "You may all be watching the diamonds that are on top of the bear, but I'm watching its teeth..." So too, says the Midrash, when the fat of the land is preceded with, "the dew of the heaven - spirituality and purpose" then wealth is a blessing. But, if the "fat of the land" is more important than the "spiritual purpose," then one must be aware of the dangers of the "teeth of the bear...". |
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
WITH SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISRAEL
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