Torah Never Gets Old

There is a Pasuk quoted from Mishlei 23:22 in a Mishna in Brachot. It says, אל תבוז כי זקנה אמך, “Do not shame (her) although your mother be old.”

The Rabbis understood this verse to mean that one must not shame the elders of Israel, but must rather seek to follow their practices. We must rely on their teachings.

Shlomo Hamelech is giving sage advice that is so relevant today. We must never discard the knowledge and experience of the older generation. Similarly, it is a horrible transgression to ever even imply that the Torah and its teachings are outdated and no longer relevant.

Truth can never get outdated. It is everlasting and permanent. Torah is the ultimate truth as are the teachings of our saintly sages.

Betuel’s Poison

There is a well known Midrash concerning Eliezer’s quest to find a wife for Yitzchak. We are introduced to Rivka’s family and are told her father’s name was בתואל and her brother was לבן.

When Eliezer is brought to Rivka’s house, we find לבן doing all the talking. The Rabbis comment that he was disrespectful by not letting his father speak first.

We never hear from בתואל again. Rabbeinu Bechaye pointed out that there is unusual wording in the Pasuk. It says ויושם לפניו לאכול, that food was placed before him to eat. This awkward wording of ויושם, to place, was a hint to what actually transpired.

The word סם in Hebrew means poison. This is where it is learned that Lavan and Betuel tried to poison, “סם”, Eliezer in order to steal his money. An angel switched Eliezer’s plate with Betuel’s and that is why we never heard from him again!

Avoiding Old Age

The Rabbis use an expression: זיקנה קפצה עליו to describe one who suddenly has old age overtake him. They say that there are four reasons why this happens with examples from Tanach.

David became old because of his fear of sin after the incident with Bat Sheva. So fears can cause instant old age.

Evil women led to Shlomo’s becoming old. It is written that old age came together with his heart being turned away by other women.

Aggravation from children was the cause for עלי הכהן. His son’s had sinned and brought on his old age.

And finally, wars were the cause of Yehoshua’s becoming old. It says that after all of his battles, Joshua became old.

So all we have to do to stay young is to avoid being consumed by fears, stay away from evil women, not get aggravated by our children, and not fight too many wars. Sounds easy enough!

Fall of Islam

Shavua Tov. The very last Pasuk of today’s Parsha, is very difficult to understand. The Torah is describing the lineage of Yishmael, and hinted that he did Teshuva at the end of his life. It ends with the words, ועל פני כל אחיו נפל, that he fell before all his brothers.

The only commentator that seemed to give a reasonable explanation to these words, was the בעל הטורים.

He wrote that this Pasuk was a רמז to Messianic times. His explanation, which seems quite prophetic, is that the Mashiach cannot come until the descendants of Yishmael will fall. He is alluding to the fall of Islam that must be a prerequisite for Mashiach to come.

Stipulations

Parshat חיי שרה is one of three places in תנ״ך that has a biblical character making a condition with Hashem. In two of the three cases, the results were positive. In the third case, disastrous.

The first example was Eliezer who made a stipulation that the maiden who would draw water for him and his camels, would be the one fitting to marry Yitzchak. Good results as Rivka was a fitting wife.

The second situation was when Shaul Hamelech declared that the one who successfully slayed Goliath, would get to marry his daughter. He was granted to have David as his son in-law.

In the final, unfortunate case, Yiftach announced that the first thing that came out of the tent, would be sanctified to G-d. Sadly, it was his daughter who was doomed for life and never married.

The Rabbis do not recommend making such conditions. Only Yakov’s cry to Hashem was considered appropriate when he asked for food and clothing if Hashem would remain with him. Shabbat Shalom

Akeidat Yitzchak

There is one aspect of Akeidat Yitzchak that often gets overlooked. It probably represents the uniqueness of this act of faith and why it stands out among all acts of selflessness and commitment to Hashem.

Avraham Avinu is instructed to offer his son on אחד ההרים אשר אמר אליך, “On one of the mountains that I will tell you.” The Torah never gave specific instructions as to which mountain the Akeida took place.

Avraham knew this by way of prophecy. And one is only able to achieve prophecy if he is in a state of joy. This means that at the time when Avraham received the most difficult and illogical request, he did it in a state of joy and ecstasy.

This was what made the Akeida so special. It was the way that Avraham accepted Hashem’s directions.

We should also strive to observe the Torah with joy and happiness as exemplified by Avraham and the Akeida.

Intolerable Sins

Upon discussing the sin that tipped the scale against the דור המבול, the generation of the flood, it was stealing that sealed their fate.

It was as if Hashem was saying, I can handle it if you turn against Me, but I cannot handle it when you turn against each other.

The generation of the Tower of Bavel, known as דור הפלגה, were spared because there was unity among them.

The main transgression that finished off Sodom, was the ugliness of selfishness and cheapness. They were unable to show any sign of kindness and giving. Lot’s wife turned into a pillar of salt because she was too cruel to even share a little bit  of salt with the poor.

We are to learn from these examples what are considered intolerably negative personality traits. We must show kindness, consideration, and generosity towards our fellow Jews.

Three Barren Matriarchs

Rabbeinu Bechaye points out that three of the four matriarchs were barren. Only Leah was able to conceive easily.

One answer of Chazal is that Hashem has a longing for the prayers of Tzaddikim.

Rabbeinu Bechaye’s answer shows that there is a Divine plan in what transpired.

Had Sara not been barren, Avraham would not have married Hagar, Yishmael would not have come into the world. Hashem wanted there to be Yishmaelim.

Had Rivka not been barren for twenty years, Eisav would have been born sooner. Avraham would have had grief in seeing an evil grandson. He was promised that he would die peacefully, a happy man.

Had Rachel not been barren, Yakov would not have married Bilha and Zilpa, and the tribes of Gad and Asher, Dan and Naftali, would never have come into being.

We must always rely that Hashem knows best and we really cannot fathom His ways. We must faithfully submit ourselves to the Divine will.

הכנסת אורחים

We are taught that Hashem made the weather very hot so that Avraham Avinu would be able to recuperate from his Brit Mila without disturbances.

Avraham was disappointed as he wanted to fulfill the Mitzva of הכנסת אורחים, welcoming guests. Hashem complied by sending the angels in the form of men so that he could do this Mitzva.

We also learn an important aspect of welcoming guests in the way he sent them off at the end of their visit.

The Torah says, אברהם הולך עמם לשלחם, that he went with them in order to send them off. From here we learn that when our guests leave, we should at least walk them to the door. Even better, we should walk them out of the house for a short distance.

Often, this is not such an easy Mitzva to fulfill. It is our task to make our visitors feel at home, welcome, and wanted. This sets the tone for the type of homes we have. And, an open and warm feeling, brings Kedusha to the home. When there is Kedusha, the Shechina is able to rest in such a home.

Avraham Avinu taught us not only the importance of הכנסת אורחים, but also how to do it.

Real Angels

Shavua Tov. Rabbeinu Bechaye’s commentary was written around 800 years ago. He needed to address a challenge even in his day as to whether the story of Avraham Avinu and the angels, actually happened.

Many assumed that it was not to be taken literally but it reflected a dream that Avraham may have had. Many found the idea of angels taking on the form of men, too difficult to believe.

Rabbeinu Bechaye’s answer was that Lot also had an experience of the angels visiting him as well. It could be assumed that Avraham was on a level to have such a lofty dream. But certainly Lot was not on that level.

Apparently, it was Lot who described his remarkable experience. Therefore, concludes Rabbeinu Bechaye, that the story of the angels really happened and is to be taken literally.

Tasks of Angels

One of the common questions asked in פרשת וירא is the apparent contradiction regarding the angels that visited Avraham Avinu on the third day after his Brit Mila.

On the one hand, we are told that three angels came because an angel is only sent for one task. Then we are told that Gavriel’s task was to overthrow Sedom, Rafael’s was to heal Avraham, and Michael was to tell Sara about the baby she was going to have AND save Lot.

The obvious question is that it looks like Michael had two tasks and not one. Rabbeinu Bechaye answers that in actuality it was one שליחות. It was a mission of חסד. It was a great act of kindness to give Sara such good news. And it was also an act of kindness to save Lot.

When the Torah says ויהיו חיי שרה, we learn that the word ויהיו equals thirty-seven, the number of years that Sara lived when she had a son.

Acts of Chesed fall under one category. So Michael really did one Shlichut, Chesed. Shabbat Shalom

Kiddush Cup

There are very specific rules connected with the Kiddush cup. We are to treat it with great care as a Mitzva is being done with it.

Because of possible imperfections or residue, it is preferred to rinse the Kiddush cup on the inside and outside. Some have the custom to add a little bit of water to the wine.

This is done either because in Talmudic times, wine needed to be diluted. Or, on a Kabbalistic level, wine is connected with דין, judgement, and adding water, sweetens the דין in our favor.

Because there were rabbis in the Talmud who wrapped themselves and covered their heads when holding the Kiddush cup, the Mishna Brura says that it is a nice custom to put on a coat and hat before Birkat Hamazon.

We also need to treat our Kiddush cup respectfully and try to use one with no blemishes.

ברכת המזון

The recitation of ברכת המזון is a Mitzva from the Torah. It is learned from the words, ואכלת ושבעת וברכת, that we eat, are satiated, and we bless.

The ברכת המזון is also known as שלוש ברכות, the three blessings. Just as the Amida is known as שמונה עשרה and actually has nineteen blessings, Birkat Hamazon actually has four blessings. Three of the blessings are from the Torah and one is from the Rabbis.

Moshe Rabbeinu composed the first blessing, הזן, praising Hashem for giving sustenance. Yehoshua composed the second blessing of הארץ, praising Hashem for giving us ארץ ישראל. The third Bracha was composed by David and Shlomo regarding Yerushalayim. And the fourth Bracha was decreed by the Rabbis of Yavne, הטוב והמטיב, for the miracle at Beitar.

There was a great massacre of Jews at Beitar and after several years, the Jews were only able to bury their dead. Miraculously, the bodies did not decompose or smell. This happened on Tu B׳Av which became a happy day of matchmaking and joy.

Like זימון, the ברכת המזון should be recited carefully and with great Kavana.

זימון

The Mitzva of זימון is very important and is often overlooked. People think that it’s part of ברכת המזון and don’t realize its significance.

Aside from being a Mitzva by itself, it is an added acknowledgement of Hashem’s bountiful blessings. Three people that sit together are not allowed to leave or “Bench” to themselves without forming this quorum known as זימון.

The leader asks the others to bless Hashem. They answer that “May Hashem’s name be blessed forever and ever.” The leader repeats this line. He asks for permission to bless Hashem for having eaten of His food. And this line is repeated by the other two members.

If ten eat together, they are able to add G-d’s holy name.

We do this ceremony all the time but rarely pause to reflect on its significance.

Forgetting to Make a Bracha

A common question asked regarding Brachot, is what do we do if we put food in our mouth without making a Bracha.

The Gemara says that there are three possible solutions to this problem. For liquids, we are to swallow the liquids in our mouths, and make a ברכה on our next drink.

For certain foods that do not cause the food to be disgraced, (ביזוי אוכל) we spit out the food and make the Bracha. An example of this could be grapes.

The third possibility would be to move the food to the side of one’s mouth, and make the ברכה with the food in the mouth. An example would be something like hard candy.

Most Poskim hold that if there is no food available to eat, then it is too late to make a ברכה. Some say that a Bracha can still be made.

Relatives

Shavua Tov. Many do not realize that Lot was the brother of Sara and was both brother in-law and nephew to Avraham.

Rav Shlomo Mann זצ״ל, wrote that the Avot were teaching us to try to avoid getting into arguments and disagreements with family.

When there are differences of opinion, the two sides need to learn to speak to one another and settle the issues in a positive way.

Sometimes, when the differences are too great, it becomes necessary to separate from one another. Even if that happens, the relatives need to assure one another that they will be there for one another in times of need.

This was exactly what Avraham did with Lot. It became intolerable to live together. However, Avraham was there for his brother in-law when he was taken captive by the four kings.

מעשה אבות סימן לבנים

A theme of the Torah is מעשה אבות סימן לבנים, that whatever happened to the fathers happens to the children.

The example from this week’s Parsha was Avraham Avinu’s visit to Egypt. There were many similarities between this incident and the slavery and exodus from Egypt by עם ישראל.

The first similarity is that Avraham went down to Egypt because of a famine as did Yakov Avinu.

A second similarity is that פרעה made a decree against the males and drowned Jewish babies. Avraham was afraid that פרעה would make a decree and kill him.

Ultimately, Avraham left Egypt with gold and silver and great wealth. The exodus was accompanied with great wealth as well.

A final similarity is that in both cases, פרעה hurriedly sent out both Avraham Avinu and עם ישראל.

So we see the principle of מעשה אבות סימן לבנים in action in this week’s Parsha. Shabbat Shalom

לך לך

Rabbeinu Bechaye uses a Pasuk in Mishlei to describe Avraham Avinu. The text from Chaper 13 reads as follows: “One who walks with the wise will grow wise, but the companion of fools will cause evil.”

There is a very strong message learned from לך לך. It was not possible for Avraham Avinu to become a great leader and come close to Hashem, in אור כשדים. There were too many negative influences and the place was filled with idol worshippers. In Eretz Yisrael, he would thrive and become the father of a great nation.

We must learn this lesson. Everyone is affected by their environment. It is virtually impossible to remain an island in a sea of materialism that lacks spirituality. Each of us has to do his own לך לך to be certain he lives among those striving to improve themselves and come closer to G-d.

Tower of Babel

The Gemara in Sanhedrin says that there were three groups involved with the Tower of Babel. The first group said, נעלה ונשב שם, that we will go up to heaven and dwell there. This group was simply scattered.

The second group said, נעלה ונעשה מלחמה, that we will go up and make war with Hashem. This group were turned into monkeys as their punishment.

And the third group said, נעלה ונעבוד עבודה זרה, that we will go up and worship idols. It was this group that became confused and suddenly spoke different languages.

This was the Gemara’s Midrashic understanding of the motivations in building the מגדל בבל.

ותן טל ומטר

Tonight, in Eretz Yisrael, we begin saying ותן טל ומטר in שמונה עשרה. We started משיב הרוח on שמיני עצרת that is said in the blessings of שבח, or praises of Hashem. The ותן טל ומטר is in the category of בקשות, requests of Hashem. Therefore, tonight we begin asking for rain, as Jews have had two weeks to get home from their pilgrimage to Jerusalem on Succot.

If one forgets ותן טל ומטר, it depends when he remembers. One option is to insert it in the שמע קולינו blessing, when general requests are made. However, if one forgot after finishing שמונה עשרה, he must start the שמונה עשרה all over again.

We need to pray with great sincerity as it has been several years since we have had a rainy winter. The Kinneret is depleted and rain is a direct sign of Hashem’s abundant blessings.

May we be granted to be זוכה to receive Hashem’s blessings.