Divrei Mav

Parshas Toldos 2018 Thank G-d For Suffering These several parshios ( Torah portions) deal with a real perspective-setter as they begin quite morbidly with the aging and passing of our forefathers or mothers. This week, Yitzchak (Isaac) reached the end of his life. When the time came, he summoned his two children and blessed them both. “When Yitzchak became old, his eyes dimmed from seeing.” (Genesis 27:1). The Medrish Rabbah teaches us, Yitzchak davened to Hashem for physical ailments at the end of his life. His request came from the following logic; if a man dies without suffering the attribute of strict judgement will oppose him. But if Hashem would bring suffering upon man, then the attribute of strict justice will not be stretched against him. When a person sins in this world, he blemishes his neshamah (soul). Once the soul returns after one passes, the neshamah needs to be cleansed of all its imperfections. Unfortunately this cleaning process is hell. Hashem naturally...

Parshas Chayei Sarah 2018 Talent Doesn’t Define You; You Define You Avraham (Abraham), now at a ripe old age, realized it was time to marry off his son Yitzchak (Isaac). Avraham appointed his most trusted servant Eliezer with the tall task of finding a befitting wife for Yitzchak - the future mother the Jewish people. Avraham made Eliezer take an oath that he would not find a wife from the Canaanites , but a girl from Avraham’s birthplace. Eliezer set out on the journey with ten camels dressed up, laden with his master’s finest and greatest possessions. Then he finally arrived at Aram Naharayim . Looking for some kind of sign that he met the right girl, Eliezer davened to Hashem for divine assistance. He asked Hashem for this to happen in the following manner: He would ask a girl at the well for a drink of water. If she replied, “Drink and I will draw water for your camels as well,” then it meant Hashem was sending him this girl. Even before Eliezer could finish ...

Parshas Vayeira 2018 Mother knows best! Sarah and Avraham were barren for many years. Sarah felt badly that she couldn't conceive for her husband, so she offered him the opportunity to marry her maidservant and try to have children through her. Hagar , did produce a child for Avraham and his name was Yishmael (Ishmael). Our tradition teaches us that Yishmael is the founding father of the Arabic nations and Yishmael’s nature even from a very young age foreshadowed that of his descendants. . Avraham and Sarah were eventually promised that she would indeed conceive and give birth to a son and it would be through that child that an incredible nation would be born. At ninety years old, Sarah did in fact, give  birth to Yitzchak (Isaac). The Chofetz Chaim is quoted as saying  “ Yitzchak grew up and his mother understood that Yishmael was not only a troubling child but a negative influence on her son.” Sarah said, “Drive away this servant and her son…” ...

Parshas Lech Lecha 2018 Just Go There are times when we find ourselves lacking enthusiasm. Be it at work, home, or with religion chas v’shalom (G-d forbid). We are stuck in a rut and just can't seem to pull ourselves up to be inspired. There may be a resolution to this frustrating phenomenon in our parsha . The first two thousand years (from the beginning of Creation) was the era of “desolation”. Adom HaRishon (Adam) had fallen into the trap of sin, his son Hevel (Abel) was murdered, idolatry was introduced to humanity, and the ten generations from Adom to Noach had failed to establish a proper world. Avraham (Abraham) was born in the biblical year 1948. In the year 2,000 approximately four years after the dispersion of the Dor Haflagah , and six years prior to the passing of Noach , Avraham began influencing others and popularizing monotheism. According to the Gemora (Talmud) in Avoda Zarah when Avraham emerged, the era of Desolation came to a close and the e...