Friday, Mar-Cheshvan 21, 5778 / November 10 2017

Parshat Chayei Sarah begins: "And the life of Sarah was one hundred and twenty 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."

Abraham bought the "Ma'arat HaMachpeilah" - "The Double Cave," from Efron for 400 silver shekel and laid Sarah to rest there.  There are two reasons why the cave is called Ma'arat HaMachpeilah;

1) The cave consisted of two levels.

2) Four couples are buried there; Adam & Eve; Abraham & Sarah; Yitzchak (Isaac) & Rivkah, Yaakov (Jacob) & Leah. Abraham wanted this particular cave because Adam and Eve were buried there.

There are two Parshiot in the Book of Genesis which record the passing of a great person. This week's Parsha, Chayei Sarah, speaks about the death of Sarah, while Parshat Vayechi, the last Parsha in the Book of Genesis, tells about the death of Yaakov.

But contrary to the content of these Parshiot, which speak about the passing of Sarah and Yaakov, the names of both Parshiot emphasize life! This Parsha is "Chayei Sarah" (life of Sarah) and "Vayechi Yaakov" (Jacob lived).

Our sages explain that good people live on through the good deeds of their children who follow in their footsteps. Although Sarah died, was mourned by her husband and buried, the Parsha is called "Chayei Sarah" - "Life of Sarah" for in the spiritual and truest sense of things, she lives on.

The Talmud says that the M'arat HaMachpeilah, where our patriarchs and matriarchs (except Rachel) are buried, is one of three places in Israel whose Jewish ownership is indisputable.  In addition to being part of the land which G-d promised to the people of Israel, Abraham purchased it in a legal manner for 400 silver shekel.

On the lighter side: A very wealthy person died and bequeathed half of his estate to various charitable causes and the other half to his relatives. Many mourners and distinguished people came to the funeral. In their midst, the rabbi noticed a shabby looking stranger sobbing uncontrollably. After the funeral the rabbi went over to console the man.

"I noticed you weeping uncontrollably," said the rabbi.  "Were you related to the deceased?"

"No," replied the poor man, wiping his eyes. “So why were you crying so much?”

“That’s why I was crying!”

SHABBAT  SHALOM

Montrealcandle lighting time: 4:11 / Shabbat ends: 5:15

Tuesday, Mar-Cheshvan 25, 5778 / November 14, 2017

This week's Parsha, Toldot, begins with the story of the birth of the famous twins, Esau and Yaakov to their parents Yitzchak & Rivkah. Yitzchak and Rivkah were married twenty years, yet didn’t have children. Yitzchak and Rivkah prayed for children and she became pregnant.

Rivkah had a very difficult pregnancy. She experienced a constant struggle in her womb which made her very concerned, questioning if praying for children was the right thing to do.

She went to inquire from Noach’s son, Sheim, who was the prophet at that time. G-d told Sheim to tell her, "Two nations are in your womb and two nations shall come from you, one will be stronger than the other and the elder shall serve the younger one."

Rivkah gave birth to twins. The older one was called Esau and the younger one was named Yaakov.   Esau became a hunter, "a man of the field," while Yaakov "dwelt in the tents" - studying Torah. Indeed, the struggle between Esau and Yaakov, which began while still in their mother’s womb, lasted throughout their lives.

It is interesting to note that three of our matriarchs, Sarah, Rivkah and Rachel were barren. By laws of nature, they couldn’t have any children. It was only because G-d performed a miracle for each of them that they had children.

Sarah had only one son, Yitzchak. Rivkah had twins, Esau and Yaakov; and Rachel had two sons, Joseph and Binyamin.

Q. Why did G-d make it that the matriarchs of the Jewish nation would have difficulty having children?

A. The sages explain that G-d made them barren so they would pray to Him, for G-d loves the prayers of the righteous. Not everything which seems negative in life is really negative. It is the transformation of the negative into positive which G-d desires. This story also teaches us the importance of prayer. It is a lesson for us, their descendants, never to give up on prayer.

On the lighter side: Little Moshe, didn’t know that his mother was expecting. He begged his mother for a baby brother. His mother said, “If you pray every day for the next three months for a baby brother, I guarantee you that God will give you a baby brother."

Little Moshe was so excited. He prayed every night for two months, but then he stopped. After another month his parents called him into their bedroom and there on the bed were two babies - twins!

His parents said to him, "Moshe’le, aren't you glad you prayed?" Moshe looked up at his parents and said, "Yes… but aren't you glad I quit when I did?"

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL DAY

Thursday, Mar-Cheshvan 27, 5778 / November 16, 2017

This week's Parsha, Toldot, we read how even during Rivkah's pregnancy, she already knew the quality of the twins she was carrying.  The Torah says, "And the children struggled within her..." 

Our sages remark that the cause of the struggle was that when she passed by the study halls of Shem and Ever, where the voice of Torah was heard, Yaakov would strive to go out and when she passed the house of idol worship, Esau would struggle to go out.  The Torah tells us that when the boys grew up, Esau, who was born first, became a hunter who robbed and murdered while Yaakov studied and prayed following the ways of his father Yitzchak and grandfather, Abraham.  

According to the Talmud, the qualities of what people will grow up to be can at times be identified while they are still young children. The following episode is from the Talmud:  Abbaya and Rava were two of the greatest Talmudic sages. Once, when they were very young, they sat with their teacher, Rabba.  He asked them, "Whom do we address when we recite the blessings?"

They both answered, "G-d".

"And where does G-d dwell?" their teacher asked.

Rava pointed to the ceiling.  Abbaya went outside and pointed to the sky.  Their teacher exclaimed, "Both of you will grow up to be sages."  The Talmud concludes this episode with, "Hence the popular saying: The quality of the pumpkin can be recognized by its stalk."  Both, Abbaya and Rava grew up to be leaders of the Jewish people and their opinions can be found throughout the Talmud.

Many sages exhibited great wisdom and intellectual qualities at a tender age. Rabbi Yonatan Eibishitz was the Rabbi of Prague and other important Jewish communities.  Even as a child, Yonatan's wisdom and intelligence was known to everyone.  The governor of the province where Yonatan lived heard about the wisdom of the boy and wanted to meet him. He requested that Yonatan's parents bring the boy before him.

Upon entering the Governor's chamber, they were greeted by the governor and other officials.  In the room there also stood a large statue.  The governor turned to little Yonatan and pointing to the statue, said, "I heard much about your wisdom.  It would be nice if you would say words of greetings to this person."

Instantly, Yonatan replied, "Our sages teach us that good manors come before Torah.  I have been taught never to speak first in front of someone bigger and older than me.  This statue is surely bigger and older than I am. I suggest that the governor ask the statue to speak first and I will reply afterwards!"

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL DAY