B"H

Tuesday, Mar-Cheshvan 21, 5779 / October 30, 2018

This week's Parsha, Chayei Sarah, begins, "The life of Sarah was one hundred years and twenty years and seven years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. Sarah died in Kiryat Arba which is Hebron in the land of Canaan, Abraham came to eulogize Sarah and to weep for her."

We read 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. Eventually our three Patriarchs and three of our matriarchs were buried there. To this day Jews come there to pray.

Q.  Why did Abraham choose that particular cave as the family burial plot?

A.  Abraham knew that Adam and Eve (Chava) were already buried in the Ma’arat HaMachpeila.

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 Sarah lived 127 years.  However, from all these years, 37 years were very special for Sarah. She gave birth to her son, Yitzchak, when she was 90. Thus, for 37 years, until she passed away at 127, she enjoyed being with her only child, Yitzchak.

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."  Notwithstanding that she and Abraham went through difficult times and difficult tests. She was forcibly taken to Pharaoh and later to Avimelech and she was childless until age 90! Yet, just as her last 37 years, when she had her son, Yitzchak, were very 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 could she have considered all of her years as equally good?"

A.  Our sages give the following instruction, "A person must bless G-d for the bad just as they would bless Him for the Good."  For, although many times 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 even the seemingly negative things the same as the things we see as good.  Sarah was a righteous woman who viewed even challenges as positive.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

B"H

Thursday, Mar-Cheshvan 23, 5779 / November 1, 2018

This week’s Parshat Chayei Sarah, isthe fifth Parsha in the Book of Genesis (Breishis).

At the end of last week’s Parsha, Vayeira, we read about the binding of Yitzchak (Isaac) to be brought as a sacrifice. The last minute, the angel told Abraham not to harm his son, that it was only a test.

In the beginning of the Parsha, the Torah tells us about Sarah’s passing at the age 127 years. The Parsha describes how, after her passing, Abraham, came to eulogize her and weep for her.  He wants to buy the Me’arat Hamachpeila (the double cave) in the city of Hebron which belongs to Efron.  Efron wants to give it to him for free, but Abraham refuses. After a lengthy discussion, he purchases it from Efron for four hundred silver shekels.

Q.  What’s the connection between the beginning of this Parsha, Chayei Sarah, and the end of the last Parsha, Vayeira?

A.  As mentioned, last week’s Parsha ends with the story in which G-d tells Abraham to bring his son Yitzchak for a sacrifice. Although at the last minute the angel told Abraham not to slaughter his son, for it was only a test, it nevertheless had a great effect on Sarah and she passed away.

Q.  Why did Abraham specifically want the Me’arat Hamachpeila for Sarah’s final resting place?

A.  Our sages explain because Abraham knew that Adam andEve were buried there.

Q.   How old were Abraham and Yitzchak at the time of Sarah’s passing?

A.   Abrahams was 137 and Yitzchak was 37. Thus, at the time of his binding Yitzchak was 37.

Q.  Who is buried in the Ma’arat Hamachpeila?

A.   Adam & Chava (Eve); Abraham & Sarah; Yitzchak & Rivkah; Yaakov & Leah.

Q.  As mentioned above, the cause for Sarah’s death was the shock that her only son was about to be brought as a sacrifice. Does that mean that she (didn’t live out her full life and) died before her time?

A.  She lived her full life. The Torah says, These were the years of the life of Sarah. At times G-d directs events in such a way that it seems to us that if the event wouldn’t have happened the person would still be alive, when in fact that person did live their full life.

On the lighter side: Two people were in dispute over a cemetery plot. Each one claimed that it was his plot. They presented their case to the rabbi. After hearing them both, the rabbi gave his verdict; “Whoever died first is entitled to that plot.” They stopped fighting…

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

B"H

Tuesday, Mar-Cheshvan 28, 5779 / November 6, 2018

Some of the highlights of this week’s Parsha, Toldot. We read about the birth of Yitzchak and Rivkah’s twins, Eisav (Esau) and Yaakov.

Esau, who was born first, sells his first-born rights to his brother, Yaakov, for a pot of lentils.

Esau, who in real life was a swindler and murderer, is able to fool his father, Yitzchak, that he was a righteous person.

There is a hunger in the land of Canaan (Israel), G-d tells Yitzchak not to go to Egypt, as his father, Abraham, did at the time of hunger, but to go to Gerar, which is part of Israel.

At the age of forty, Esau marries Yehudis and Bosmas. His wives behaviour and their idol worshipping was heartbreaking to Yitzchak and Rivkah.

When Yitzchak became old, his eyes became dim (blind). Not knowing that Esau sold his first-birth rights to Yaakov, and thinking that Esau is a righteous person, Yitzchak wants to bless Esau before he dies. He tells Esau to go out to hunt and bring him food to eat. After, he will bless him.

Rivkah, knew the true character of her son, Esau, but didn’t want to cause Yitzchak pain, by telling him who Esau really was. She tells Yaakov that she will prepare food for Yitzchak and Yaakov should pretend that he is Esau and thus receive his father’s blessing. After initially refusing to do so, Yaakov is convinced by his mother and goes along with her plan.

The plan worked and Yaakov gets the blessings. But then Esau comes with food and Yitzchak realizes that he made a mistake and gave the blessings to Yaakov. He tells Esau, “Your brother came with wisdom and took your blessings.” Yitzchak then reaffirms his blessings to Yaakov.

As a result of this episode, Esau decided to kill Yaakov after his father’s passing. With his parents’ blessings Yaakov leaves to go to his uncle Lavan. He would return 36 years later, with his family of twelve sons and one daughter.

Q. What is the significance of the pot of lentils?

A. It was the day when their grandfather Abraham passed away. It was customary for the mourners to eat lentils at the first meal after the funeral. Just as the lentils are round, so too, life is round (cycle).

Q. How old were Yaakov and Esau when their grandfather Abraham passed away?

A. They were fifteen years old. Abraham was one hundred when he had Yitzchak. Yitzchak was sixty when he had the the twins. Abraham passed away at 175. Thus, they were 15 at the time.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY