B"H

Monday, Kislev 30, 5778 / December 18, 2017

Happy sixth day of Chanukah & Happy Rosh Chodesh. Today is the first day of Rosh Chodesh of the new month, Tevet.

Q.  The observance of Shabbat, circumcision and Rosh Chodesh (sanctifying the new moon) were amongst the mitzvot that were prohibited at the time of the Chanukah story. Lighting the Chanukah Menorah for eight days commemorates the miracle of the oil. How does observing Chanukah for eight days express our gratitude to G-d for the miracle of being able to observe the above mentioned three mitzvot?

A.  As a result of Chanukah being eight days, Shabbat always falls out once and sometimes twice during Chanukah.  Because Chanukah is 8 days it also reminds us of the eighth day of circumcision. There is always one day or sometimes two days Rosh Chodesh during Chanukah. In fact, except for Rosh Hashana, Chanukah is the only holiday which includes a Rosh Chodesh.

Q.Which holiday begins in one month and ends in another month?

A.  Chanukah. It begins on the twenty fifth of the month Kislev and ends in the month of Tevet.

Q.Why do many women refrain from doing work while the Chanukah candles are burning?

A.Yehudit, the daughter of Yochanan Kohen Gadol (High Priest), was an exceptionally beautiful woman.  While members of her family fought for the liberation of Israel on the battlefield, she, in her own unique way, contributed to their victory. She asked to be introduced to the Syrian General Helifornos, who was impressed with her beauty and wisdom. At their meeting, she offered him very salty cheese and very strong wine which she brought along with her.  The cheese made Helifornos very thirsty -- so thirsty that he drank too much wine and fell into a deep sleep.  With a silent prayer on her lips begging G-d for strength, Yehudit beheaded him with his own sword. Placing his head in a basket, she returned to Jerusalem. The next day, when his soldiers realized that their general was dead, they were frightened and deserted the battlefield. Thus, Yehudit contributed greatly to the victories of the Maccabees.

To commemorate the heroism of Yehudit, many women refrain from working while the Chanukah candles remain lit.  Some have a custom to eat cheese on Chanukah in remembrance of her brave act which involved cheese.

Please note: Due to my father’s health situation, I will be away the rest of this week. Please pray for him, Menachem Mendel ben Chaya Bracha. In less than three months he will be 102, G-d willing. He is going through a difficult period. Thanks for your understanding.

HAVE A VERY HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL CHODESH & HAPPY CHANUKAH

B"H

Monday, Tevet 7, 5778 / December 25, 2017

Shalom. Last week I was in N.Y. due to my father’s health situation. Thank you for all your prayers on his behalf. Four weeks ago when he was rushed to the hospital, they gave him very little hope of leaving the hospital. But, thank G-d, he left the hospital on Wednesday to a rehab center. He is on a respirator and still needs help breathing, but there is hope he may be able to be weaned off it. Miracles do happen. May we hear only good news.

This week’s Torah reading is Parshat Vayechi - the last Parsha of the Book of Breishis (Genesis). In this Parsha we read about the last 17 years of Yaakov’s life, which he spent with his family in Egypt.

Of the twelve Parshiot in the Book of Genesis, the first Parsha tells the story of creation; the second Parsha relates the story of Noah and the Great Flood. The next ten Parshiot present the life stories of the Patriarchs (Abraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov) and Matriarchs (Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel and Leah).

The life of Abraham and Yitzchak are recorded in the four Parshiot; Lech Lecha, Vayeira, Chayei Sarah and Toldot.  The story of Yaakov is told in over seven Parshiot; Toldot, Vayeitzei, Vayishlach, Vayeishev, Mikeitz, Vayigash, Vayechi. Yaakov's life was the shortest. Abraham lived 175 years; Yitzchak 180 years and Yaakov lived only 147 years.

Abraham and Yaakov should also have lived to 180. However, G-d shortened Abraham's life by five years to spare him the pain of seeing his grandson, Esau's evil behavior.

Q.  Why did Yaakov lose 33 years of his life?  Our sages explain the reason as follows: 

A.When Yaakov came to Egypt and Pharaoh asked him his age, he replied, "The days of the years of my life are a hundred and thirty years; few and bad have been the days of my life and they have not attained the days of the years of the life of my fathers" (Gen. 47:9). 

The verse in which Yaakov complains about his bad lot and misfortune in life contain 33 Hebrew words. As a result of complaining about his difficult life, his life was shortened by 33 years.

But, unlike Abraham and Yitzchak, the Torah doesn't use the word "death" to describe Yaakov's passing.  Because of this our sages say, "Yaakov did not die!"

The Talmud explains the above concept as follows: Abraham's son Ishmael and his descendants departed from Abraham's ways. Similarly, Yitzchak's son Esau and his descendants strayed from the teachings of Yitzchak. But Yaakov’s children all followed in their father's tradition. Thus, our sages say, "As long as his children continue his way of life, Yaakov too, lives through them." It teaches us the importance of continuing our Jewish tradition, as it impacts our ancestors who past on.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL DAY

B"H

Tuesday, Tevet 8, 5778 / December 26, 2017

This week’s Parsha, Vayechi, tells about Yaakov’s final years. It begins, “Yaakov lived in the land of Egypt for 17 years. The total of Yaakov’s days, the years of his life, were 147 years.”

Yaakov feels that his days are numbered, he calls his son, Joseph and makes him swear that after his death he will not bury him in Egypt. Yaakov says, “When I pass away you shall carry me out of Egypt and bury me in my father’s burial place (in the city of Hebron).”

Then Yaakov blesses Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Menashe. Yaakov says to Joseph, “Your two sons who were born in Egypt before I came to Egypt shall be to me like my own two sons. He blessed them saying, When the people of Israel will bless their children they will say, ‘May G-d make you as Ephrayim and as Menashe.’” 

Q. Yaakov came to Egypt with fifty grandchildren and four great grandchildren. What was so special about his two grandsons, Ephrayim and Menashe, that he said that the people of Israel will bless their children to be like Ephrayim and Menashe?

A. All of Yaakov’s grandchildren, except Ephrayim and Menashe were born in the land of Canaan (Israel) and were raised in close proximity of their grandfather. They were educated and inspired by their grandfather, Yaakov, one of the patriarchs of the Jewish people. They grew up in a wonderful family environment and didn’t really have any major challenges to overcome.

However, Joseph’s two sons, Ephrayim and Menashe, were born and raised in Egypt. Far from their family setting. Their father, Joseph was the viceroy of Egypt. They grew up in Egypt and thus had to overcome many challenges not to be influenced by the Egyptian culture in order to stay true to their grandfather’s convictions and way of life.

Yaakov knew that his descendents were about to go through the great difficulties of the Egyptian exile and the many exiles thereafter. Thus, Yaakov said that Jews will bless their children to be like Ephrayim and Menashe – that no matter the circumstances, they should have the strength and ability to withstand the external pressures and stay loyal to their Jewish heritage and culture.

Q. We read in last week’s Parsha that Yaakov was 130 when he came to Egypt. In this Parsha we read that he was 147 when he passed away. Why does the Torah have to tell us that Yaakov lived in Egypt 17 years. We could figure this out ourselves (147–130 = 17)?

A. The Torah wants to tell us, “Yaakov lived in the land of Egypt for seventeen years.” – Yaakov’s last 17 years were years in which “Yaakov lived” - they were the best years of Yaakov’s life. In fact, “good” in Hebrew is “Tov” - whose numerical value is 17.  It is up to us to make good of whatever situation or place where one is.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL DAY