B"H

Friday, Cheshvan 10, 5777 / November 11, 2016

In this week’s Parsha, Lech L’cha, we find that G-d blessed Abraham with children. Abraham was over seventy five years at that time, while Sarah, was over sixty five, but they didn’t have any children.

The first time G-d blessed them with children (13:16), G-d says to him, “I will make your descendants as the sand of the earth. Just as a person cannot count the sand of the earth, so too, your descendants will not be able to be counted.”

Later in the Parsha, G-d promises Abraham much reward for his good deeds. Abraham says to G-d, “What is the point of giving me much reward, when You have not given me any children to inherit all this reward? In reply to his question, G-d took him outside and said to him, “Look towards the heaven and count the stars. Are you able to count them? This is how numerous your descendants will be. And he believed in G-d and G-d considered this an act of righteousness.”

Q.Why did G-d compare Abraham’s descendants, the people of Israel, to the sand and the stars?

A.Maimonides, in a consolation letter to the Jews of Yemen who were being oppressed and suffered immensely, explains the comparioon to the sand of the earth. “Just like the earth, upon which everyone walks and tramples on, in the end outlasts all those who walked on it, so too, although the Jewish people are stepped on and trampled on, they will outlast all their adversaries and overcome.

One of the Chassidic masters explains the comparison to the stars: From earth the stars in heaven look very very small, yet, in reality they are very large. It’s only due to their distance from us that we view them as being small, but if we get closer to them we will see their true greatness. So too, with the Jewish people. From a distance we may view another Jew as being small and minute spiritually. But when we get closer and friendlier, we may see the great value within every Jewish soul.

On the lighter side.. In light of the U.S. elections: Moe (Moshe) Greenberg was running on the Democratic ticket for Senator from N.Y. State. Although he spent much money on the campaign, his opponent, Heimey Goldberg, the Republican, won the nomination.

Moe was besides himself. He took his loss very hard.

“I can’t understand it,” he complained to his opponent. “My campaign manager told me that if I gave every taxi driver and every waiter a big tip and told them I was the Democratic candidate, that would influence lots of voters and I would surely win the election. I spent a fortune, yet, I lost…”

“I did just the opposite,” replied Heimy Goldberg. “I didn’t give anyone a tip, and told them I was a Democrat…”

SHABBAT SHALOM

Montrealcandle lighting time: 4:09 / Shabbat ends: 5:14

B"H

Thursday, Cheshvan 9, 5777 / November 10, 2016

It’s the day after the elections in the USA. This election was perhaps one of the most participated and most enthusiastic of elections. More people were passionate about this election than any other that I can remember. While many people voted for one of the candidates as a protest vote against the other candidate, many have voted for the ideas the candidates stood, or were presumed to stand, for.

We pray and wish the newly elected president of the USA, Mr. Donald Trump, good health and Divine guidance in leading the country. We wish him to lead to a better and more peaceful world. To take a hard stand when needed and be compassionate to all.

The Talmudic sages, over two thousand years, say, “You should always pray for the welfare of the government, for if not for the fear of government, one would swallow the other alive..”

Whether it’s the government we chose or not, we must pray for the welfare of the government which governs the land. Even if they are not perfect (and who is) they do keep stability and order in the land. I believe this to be especially true with the election of Mr. Trump, who advocates law and order. We pray for his welfare and the welfare of his cabinet and government.

Our sages say, “The hearts of kings and ministers are in G-d’s hands.” Although, it is the people of America who choose the government, in truth it was G-d’s hand that pulled every lever at the polling stations. We believe that Divine Providence is everywhere and at all times. This is especially true in this election where the chances for Mr. Trump to be elected was laughed off from the very beginning and all predictions were against him. We see G-d’s hand here in a more revealed way than in any other election of our time.

As Jews we are always concerned, and rightfully so, about the welfare of our beloved country, Israel. The country which is G-d’s everlasting gift to the Jewish people. I pray that Mr. Trump will care, not only for the U.S., but for America’s true friend and only democracy in the Middle East – Israel.

It is Divine Providence that Mr Trump’s election took place this week, when we read Parshat Lech L’cha, in which G-d promises our forefather, Abraham, the Land of Israel (Canaan) as an eternal inheritance to the Jewish people.

G-d said to Abraham, “Raise your eyes, from the place where you are; look to the north, to the south, to the east and to the west. Because to you and to your descendants I will give this land for eternity.”  

Q.How many years was it from G-d’s promise to Abraham to give his descendants the land, until they actually came to the land of Israel?

A.470 years later. It was 430 years after G-d’s promise that they were liberated from Egypt and another 40 years of wandering in the desert, before going into Israel.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

B"H

Friday, Cheshvan 3, 5777 / November 4, 2016

In this week’s Parsha, Noach, the Torah tells us that after the waters of the Great Flood receded, "Noach sent forth a dove to see if the waters abated from the face of the earth.  When the dove didn’t find a resting place, it returned to the ark."  Noach waited seven days, "And he, again, sent forth the dove out of the ark.  And the dove came back at evening with an olive leaf in her mouth; Noach then knew that the waters were abated from the earth." 

Our sages say that with, "the leaf in her mouth", the dove was saying to Noach, "I prefer my food, even when bitter as the olive leaf, by the hands of G-d, and not sweet as honey through the hands of people.

In the Grace-after-Meal, we pray, "Our G-d, our father; tend us, nourish us, sustain us, feed us and provide us with plenty and speedily. L-rd our G-d, grant us relief from all our afflictions.  L-rd our G-d, please do not make us dependent upon the gifts of mortal men nor upon their loans, but only upon Your full, open, holy and generous hand that we may never be shamed or disgraced."

A Jew who didn’t have the funds to marry off his daughter, went to the Rabbi of Kotsk to ask for the Rebbe's advice and blessing.  The Rebbe sent him to a wealthy Chassid who lived in another town, along with a letter recommending that he help the poor man.

The man was sure that as soon as the wealthy Chassid would read the Rebbe's letter, he would give him all the necessary funds for the wedding.  To his great dismay, after reading the letter and hearing his dire situation, the Chassid offered him only a few rubles.  It didn't even cover the cost of the trip!  He left very disappointed and heartbroken.

A while later, as he was walking on the road, a carriage stopped next to him.  Out came the wealthy Chassid who handed the poor man an envelope full of money.  "Here, you have everything you need for the wedding.  In addition, my driver will drive you home to your village!"

The poor man was stunned.  "If you were going to give me the money, why didn't you give it to me when I was at your home?  Why did you cause me all this sorrow?"

The Chassid replied, "You see, when you came to my home, you were certain that you would get what you need because you relied on me and on the letter of the Rebbe.  Somehow, you forgot to rely on

G-d Almighty. To tell you the truth, as a result, I was not moved to give you all your expenses.

But after you left, you realized that you had no one to rely on except G-d.  I'm sure you prayed sincerely from the depth of your soul that G-d help you.  As a result, my heart was stirred and I felt thatI had to help. This is why I'm here now!"

SHABBAT SHALOM

Montreal candle lighting time: 5:20 / Shabbat ends: 6:21