Parshat Toldos Reflection: First Come, First Served?

BS"D

I dedicate this parsha post as a zechus for a refuah sheleima for Devora Rudya bas Fraida Gila.

**************************

The following is a Chiddush of my own, that I discovered last Erev Shabbos.

**************************

We all know the famous tale of Yaakov and Eisav, Jacob and Esau.  After twenty years of barrenness, Rivkah at last gave birth-- to twins!  The elder was born, an unusual little one developed with hair, and his parents called him Eisav.  The younger emerged grasping his brother's heel; they named him Yaakov.  The boys grew up much alike, and only when they neared spiritual adulthood, did their dominant inclinations lead them down their split respective paths for life.  Eisav was wild and pursued his passions, and honed his skills as a hunter.  His base deeds and activities, mirroring those of his uncle Yishmael, were what his life revolved around, and he was drawn to the temples of idol worship.  Yaakov, at the other end of the spectrum, grew into a master of Torah, yet was a student of it his whole life.  He was a tzaddik, and destined to become the progenitor and pillar of the Jewish People.

It so happened that one day, Eisav returned home from a bloody hunt, famished and fatigued, when he observed Yaakov tending to a pot of lentil stew.  (Why was this on the menu for the day?  It was in fact the day Avraham, the patriarch, passed on from this world, in hoary age and contentment.  Yaakov was preparing lentils, a customary dish of mourners, for his father Yitzchak.)  Exhausted beyond capacity to even serve himself, Eisav addressed Yaakov "Haliteini na min ha'adom ha'adom - Give me, please, a swallow of this red stuff."  Yaakov wondered silently in distress if this coarse, gluttonous man would really be the one entrusted with the birthright, merit to serve G-d with holy service such as the sacrifices, and blessed with an exclusive blessing.  He realized this could not be so; Eisav was not worthy of such a privilege and responsibility to G-d!  Eisav further proved his younger brother's unspoken point when he acquiesced to his proposal, of selling the birthright to the latter in exchange for the lentil stew, initially cooked for their father.  "Eisav thus scorned the birthright." {Bereishis 25:34}

Transmittal of the birthright was of tremendous value, and indeed something taken very seriously at the time.  Yitzchak, unaware of his elder son's unworthiness, was prepared to bestow upon him the coveted prerogative.  How, then, was Yaakov to come and claim what was now legally his, without his father's knowledge?  This is where Rivkah entered the scene.  She, through a prophecy foretold to her through Ruach haKodesh when she carried her children in her womb, knew Eisav's genuine character.  She created a plan to ensure that it would indeed be the righteous Yaakov who'd receive the eternal blessing that was paired with the birthright.  She dressed the smooth-skinned Yaakov in rough goat skins to mimic Eisav's hairiness.  She prepared the delicacy that Eisav had been commissioned to make to bring in to his father, 'so that his soul would bless him' in a content and pleased state.  Yaakov entered into his father's tent under two shadows allowing his concealment:  Eisav was out hunting for game to cook for his father, and therefore knew nothing of the scheme; and secondly, Yitzchak's blindness inhibited him from recognizing just what son he was blessing.  It was all part of the Divine Plan that Yaakov receive these brachos.

When Yaakov's intimate time with his father concluded, just as he slipped out of the tent, Eisav entered through the opposite door.  Had the elder spotted the younger imposing as himself, he would've surely slain in him in his fury; Yaakov's life was spared by a hairsbreadth.  The real Eisav told his father to sit, served him the dish he cooked, and demanded his bracha.  Yitzchak was perturbed, and suddenly seized by violent trembling, as he realized what happened:  He had been deceived into giving Yaakov the blessing.  However, he declared that he remain blessed.  He relayed to Eisav the events that had occurred.  Eisav cried out with heartrending bitterness, and asked:

"'Hachi kara sh'mo Ya'akov?  Vayakveini zeh pa'amim; et b'chorasi lakach v'hinei ata lakack birchasi.'  Vayomar 'halo atzalta li b'racha?' -- 'Is he not rightly called Yaakov?  He has deceived me twice; he took my birthright and now he has taken my blessing.'  He said, 'Have you not saved a blessing for me?'"  {Bereishis 27:36}

I picked up on something interesting here...  The words "b'chorasi - my birthright" and "birchasi - my blessing" share the same root letters:  Beis/ב, Chaf/כ, and Reish/ר  (bechor/בכר - birthright; barech/ברכ - bless).  Therefore, the roots have equivalent gematrios (numerical equivalents).  Perhaps this connection signifies to us, that the privilege of the birthright and the blessing, we're both indeed unified and one.

Eisav was a man of lusts and material gratification.  His desirous traits allowed no room for patience and abstinence.  If it was something he couldn't acquire to immediately subdue his passion, or if a benefit wasn't measurable, sensual and tangible, then he was simply unable to find worth in it.  "Vayivez Eisav et hab'chora - (Thus) Eisav scorned the birthright."  {Bereishis 25:34}  The principal value of the Bechora was spiritual; furthermore, the majority of the honors it merited would be allotted at distant times ahead.  But Eisav's gaze was not set towards the future, for he was a man of "the here and the now."  Little did he know, in his lack of sensitivity, that when he casually sold the 'worthless' birthright status, he simultaneously forfeited his blessing.

On the other hand, a believing and trusting Jew is willing to wait.  Although clear and obvious blessing may at times be hidden from our limited human perception, we know that we are the Chosen Ones, as Hashem says of us in the Torah: "Yisrael (another name for Yaakov) is My firstborn."  We're loved and cherished by Hashem, forever and always.  The Jewish People are no strangers to suffering and Divine discipline, though...  Jewish history is rampant with pain, loss, persecution and tragedy.  Yet, by G-d's grace, we are still here, still standing, still growing and passing on the heritage.  Look carefully once more at Yitzchak's blessing, and you will note that he prophetically warned his son Yaakov, future father of the Klal Yisrael, that immense trials lay ahead.

"Or'reiycha arur, um'varacheiycha baruch - Those who curse you are cursed, and those who bless you are blessed."  {Bereishis 27:29}

Rashi notes the order of the verse, and inquires why the negative, the curse, is mentioned prior to the positive of the blessing.  He explains that it is common for the wicked to lead tranquil lives in this world, but their end is met with only curse and pain.  Oppositely, a tzadik, a righteous person, is usually challenged with struggles and bitterness during his life, but ultimately rewarded with true and eternal blessing and peace.  In the wording of his blessing, Yitzchak hinted to Yaakov that his children, all righteous, would have to endure astonishing suffering.  But he also promised, and we must always hold fast to our belief, that there is indeed a bright light at the end of this dark tunnel.

*********************************

Your children are waiting for You, Hashem, and our Geulah (Redemption).  We're not giving up.  But we're ready for the brighter days You've promised.  We're Your firstborn child... and we're ready to come home.

Parshat Chayei Sarah: It's the Little Things that Count

BS"D

Gut Erev Shabbos to all dear readers!

I dedicate this parsha post as a zechus for a blessed and speedy refuah sheleimah for Rochel bas Daniella Dshoar and Elisheva Yehudis bas Yael Devora.  May Hashem heal, strengthen and bless all the ill and broken of Klal Yisrael in the merit of Shabbos Kodesh.  Please keep them in your prayers.

***************************

A quick note before we begin:  Every year, it usually takes me the whole winter season to adjust to the early candle-lighting times we now have, and considering the time I'm making today, I only have time to share with you a brief and rather informal post this week.  But still, we'll cover a few beautiful core themes and ideas in the parsha, and of course draw true and lasting spirit from the script.  It's an incredible, bursting Parsha this week; I encourage everyone to read it when they have the chance!  Let's learn!

********************************

The beautiful, detailed narrative, of Eliezer servant of Avraham's encounter with Rivka, gives us a peek into the very genuine, personal conduct of one of our Mothers.  Rivka was, as the Midrash describes, "a rose amongst the thorns"; her pure and precious soul was unaffected by the abrasive, unpleasant, idolatrous society around her, and she stood strong in her character and morals against the stifling current.

When Eliezer asked her for a drink, the Torah explains that she lowered her pitcher from her shoulder to her hand, before Eliezer drew near to have a sip.  The Torah doesn't waste words, and our Sages teach that this detail hints to her tzniyus conduct when serving a man.   Flipping forward (spoiler approaching!), to when Eliezer arrives back t o his master's home with Rivka, the bride, in tow, Yitzchak was out in the field davening.  Rivka glimpsed her Chatan, and not yet knowing who the stranger in the field was, addressed Eliezer "Who is that man coming towards us?"  When Eliezer answered that it was Yitzchak, Rivka covered herself with a veil.  She was modest.

Rashi shares with us that at the well, before Eliezer approached Rivka, he observed that the waters rose and surged towards her when she drew near.  He then ran to her in excitement, thinking this was indeed a sign from Hashem, that this was the girl who he was searching for.  Although her task was sped up by this miracle, Rivka didn't dawdle at the well, squandering time with the other young women gossiping, as was popular custom.  She performed her task with alacrity and focus.  Furthermore, the Torah details "vat'maheir - she quickly lowered her pitcher from her shoulder", in her haste to nourish the thirsty traveler who sought her help.  She then ran untiringly to and fro, providing the man's camels with water until they were satiated.  After Eliezer gave her the gifts of jewelry, and asked her who her family was, "vataratz - she ran" to relay to her mother's household the events that had just occurred.  Just as fitting for Avraham's family who ran, to serve guests and to carry out Ratzon Hashem, she possessed zrizus.

After Rivka had watered Eliezer, his men, and his camels, Eliezer inquired first as to who her family was, and secondly, if they had room for him to stay the night.  Rivka replied in the manner that Pirkei Avos declares befitting for a wise person:  She answered his first question first, and last lastly.  She was organized and refined in her speech.  She was skilled in communication.

Rivka's soul-qualities shone profoundly through her deeds.  These are but a few of the numerous examples of Rivka's exemplary character, so evident through the 'little things' she did!  Someone was watching her carefully, and indeed, it was her attention to the nuances of her interactions with the people around her, and the way she carried herself, that made her meritorious of being Divinely chosen to rise as the next mother of the Jewish People.  Her examples are eternally recorded in the Holy Torah, to learn and draw a flood of inspiration from.  Your actions and words, no matter how seemingly 'insignificant', all truly have a tremendous impact on your personal self, the society around you, and ultimately the world; and through them, you define who you really are.  It just takes one mitzvah at a time, one little spark after another...  Remember, too, that  Someone is always watching us... "The Book is always open... the eye sees... the hand writes..." {Avot}, and no deed goes unrecorded, no mitzvah unrewarded.

We also see how the concept of how the "little things" are what build and define our characters, can be applied to Lavan, Rivka's brother, and diametric opposite.  After Eliezer told his story, and made his proposal to Rivka's family, "vaya'an Lavan u'Vesueil - Lavan and Besueil (Rivka's father) answered" in the affirmative, acknowledging the Hasghacha Pratis (Divine Providence) of the discovery and match, exclaiming "May'Hashem yatzah hadavar - the matter emanated from Hashem!"  Rashi castigates Lavan as a Rasha, a wicked person.  How come?  The simple secret is in the verse:  "Vaya'an Lavan u'Vesueil"-- Lavan interrupted, and spoke up before his father, an act that isn't praiseworthy.  We must treat our parents with the utmost respect, and interrupting certainly detracts from their honor.

**********************************

What does Hashem have in store for each and every one of us?  It's one of the few things obscured from our knowledge.  However, we can co-write our destiny.  Where do you want to go in life?  How will you grow on your journey to get there?  Like Rivka, you can become someone so great-- and you are already!  It is up to you to pave your way to your true self, brick by brick, step by step, change by change, spark by spark.

My Open Prayer for One of Hashem's Missing Children

BS"D

Dedicated to Jesse Galganov (Chaim Yosef ben Aliza) with a prayer from the heart...

***********************************

Hashem, Ribono Shel Olam...  Your children cry to you from konphot ha'aretz, the corners of the earth, and we're united in agony and bated breath, praying to you from the depths of our heart.

Please Hashem, let our tefillos not come before you too late; we pray that this not be a prayer in vain...

Please save and protect Chaim Yosef ben Aliza from all danger, harm, distress and misfortune.  Please be by his side, his faith and strength, no matter where he is.  Just as you protected Sarah Imeinu in the decadent palaces of Paroh and Avimelech, please bring forth her grandchild, Your child, Hashem, from this disaster untouched.

Please instill Chizuk and Emunah within Chaim Yosef, his family, and all the brave people who are searching for him.  Hashem, everything we may try, and every step of our search, is futile without Your blessing and intervention.  When Hagar had practically given up on her child Yishmael, who was in mortal danger in his illness and thirst, you heeded the lad's call, and opened Hagar's eyes to what was always present before her:  Your life-sustaining waters, the cure and salvation.  "Vayifkach Elokim et-aineyha vateireh b'eir mayim... - Then G-d opened her eyes and she perceived a well of water..." {Bereishis 21:19}.  Please G-d, may You make such a miracle for us; open our eyes to Your kindness and salvation!  Show us the way, and sustain our beloved Jewish brother, even if he is walking in the "valley of the shadow..."

Please protect and save Chaim Yosef ben Aliza.  He, like every Jewish child, was named with a degree of nevua (prophecy), as we are taught...  Chaim Yosef ben Aliza:  Chaim, Hashem, for the beautiful path of life You have set before him, in all its practically infinite possibility and opportunity.  Please do not take this away, and sustain and strengthen him to traverse the path of life that You've laid before him, in all its chapters, its highlights and rough-spots...  Yosef, Hashem, as You released Yosef haTzadik from the prison.  Please Hashem, redeem him from whatever confinement he may be in!   "Baruch Atah Hashem... matir asurim - Blessed are You, Hashem... Who releases the bound."  Ben Aliza, Hashem, for we plead with You that he comes forth from this in light and life, and that he become the son of our joy, the heart of our joyful laughter and cries of gratitude to you!

In times of danger, Hashem, the Satan always accuses...  Please, may Your Divine Rachmanus override any other force.  Forgive, please, and cleanse us of any of  aveiros or shortcomings that might incline You to decree dark or bitterness for Your people.  Please help us to acknowledge where we must grow and improve, guide us to do so, for we can only do it with Your assistance, to grow ourselves, and make ourselves worthy of Your salvation.

Although we are as nothing before You Hashem, please, bring us over the threshold, the final hill, to Redemption.  Hashem, the suffering and pain is becoming far too great...  How much more can we survive?  Please, bring us into the Ultimate Geulah!  Reunite us with all our loved ones, and draw us close, Your children, to You.

May the cries, tears, prayers, efforts make their mark before Your Heavenly Throne.  "Avinu Malkeinu, kabeil b'rachamim uv'ratzon es tefilaseinu - Our Father, Our King, accept- with compassion and favor- our prayer."

"So may it be His will, and let us say Amein."

Jesse (Chaim Yosef) Galganov, with his mother Alisa (Aliza) Clamen[/caption]

Parshat Vayeira: Giving Room to Run... and Grow

BS"D

Good Shabbos to everyone!

I dedicate these divrei Torah as a zechus for a blessed and speedy Refuah Sheleima for Rochel bas Daniella Dshoar.

***************************************

In the closing of last week's parsha of Lech Lecha, Hashem commands Avraham to circumcise himself, and all the males of his household, uniting with Him in a covenant of devotion, that is treasured and resolutely upheld to this day amongst Am Yisrael.  Along with this mitzvah bestowed upon the first Jew, G-d also delivered wondrous news-- Avraham and Sarah would finally be blessed with a child, whom they would name Yitzchak.

Flip to the opening of this week's sidra of Vayeira...  and Avraham is resting at the opening of his tent, on the third day after his milah, when the pain has reached its peak.  Furthermore, it was an unusually scorching day.  Hashem had caused the weather to take this turn, so that no traveler would be out, and arrive at Avraham's tent, disturbing him in his state of discomfort.  We may ask why Avraham was sitting outside to begin with.  Rashi explains this pattern of behavior, teaching that Avraham was indeed searching the path for wayfarers who he could beckon into his home and serve.  Avraham's inborn soul of Chesed, lovingkindness, coursed through him with such mastery, that even in spite of his pain from the milah, he was unstoppable.  He was ready to host others, nurture them, and ultimately sanctify Hashem's name with them, to the point that he personally sought them out!

Hashem witnessed Avraham's anguish at the lack of one of his greatest joys-- guests, that came his way-- so He sent him a surprise.  Hashem had charged a trio of malachim (angels) with three separate missions:  One (Michoel) to give the besoros tovos, good tidings, that Sarah would give birth to a child in the next year; one (Gavriel) to overturn the degenerate Sedom and its sister cities; and one (Refael) to heal Avraham (and later, to save Lot-- healing and saving are considered to be two actions of the same category).  To please and comfort Avraham, Hashem had them descend and approach him after assuming the appearances of human beings, travelers, and potential guests.

"Vayisa aiynav vayar v'hinei sh'losha anashim nitzavim alav; vayar vayaratz likrasam mipesach ha'ohel vayishtachu artzam. - Hi lifted his eyes and saw, and behold, three men were standing near him; He saw (them), and ran from the door of the tent to greet them, and he bowed down to the earth."  {Bereishis 18:2}

Rashi questions the double use of "vayar - he saw".  As is his custom, the Meforash gives us an answer:

The first use of "vayar" means that he caught sight of his guests, whereas the second reference implies 'understanding'.  How so?  He first saw them standing nearby, but they were motionless.  He perceived that they were avoiding inconveniencing him, so he himself rose up with alacrity, and hastened towards them to invite them in.

An alternative explanation given by Rashi is drawn from the Gemara, in Bava Metzia.  The first segment, where it details "nitzavim alav - were standing near him" indicates their close proximity.  Curiously, this appears to be contradicted when the verse continues "vayaratz likrasam mipesach ha'ohel - he ran from the opening of the tent to greet them."  You needn't run to a person who is standing near you, just as it's unnecessary to shout while speaking if your listener is right there.  When the malachim observed Avraham adjusting his bandages, tending to the after-effects of his milah, they stepped back, literally, and distanced themselves from him.  He thereupon cut to the chase, pursuing his guests 'like there was no tomorrow', and welcomed them with a most gracious reception.  No personal pains or efforts would deter our forefather from accomplishing his cherished mitzvah!

********************************

The following are a few thoughts of my own, as to how we can possibly apply this story, and Avraham Avinu's stellar example, to our own lives.

We are bound in love and deep dedication to Hashem and His gift to us-- our Holy Torah.  Still, mitzvos are sometimes difficult to accomplish.  It is even more of a struggle, when we feel like Hashem isn't assisting us in our efforts.  Hashem is so hidden to us in a time like that!

Picture a mother or father, teacher or Rabbi, who is quietly listening to their child or student, as they gush on with a problem or concern they've been having.  They allow the child to unburden their shoulders, hearts and minds.  As the younger one calms down, there is a moment of thoughtful silence, which is punctuated by the guiding adult with one of the following lines:  "How do you think we should proceed with this?"  "In which direction do you want to turn, and how do you want to respond to this?"  "What do you think we can do to make this better?"  Yes, they are challenging the child, but in a most profound, beautiful, and helpful way.  They do not, right off the cuff, restrict the young one to their definition of the situation, imposing upon them how the adult believes they have to change things; rather, they open and stimulate the youth's mind to accept, rationalize, feel, and process the matter, and future course of action, thoughtfully and wisely.  They encourage the child to open their ears to what their own soul advises.  (This is reminiscent of  Hashem telling Avraham "Sh'ma b'kolah - Listen to her (Sarah's) voice", her inner voice of nevua (prophecy), which was of a higher level than Avraham's.)  They nurture them to grow, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally through the rough patches of the event, and the youth becomes their own strong mentch (person), who can make their own choices, think and reflect with their own mind, and allow themselves to be directed by their inner voice.

Hashem, Avinu Shebashamayim (our Father in Heaven) may perhaps test us in the same way!  We see this with our above story from the parsha:  Avraham longed for guests, to perform the coveted mitzvah of hachnasas orchim.  Hashem rewarded him with this opportunity, sending him the angels in human guise, to care for and make his mark on.  We know Avraham was going through a difficult situation of his own-- that very day was one of the most (physically) painful days of his entire life!  And you know what?  Hashem 'distanced Himself' (in a way, through His messengers), not pressing down upon Avraham with the obligation of welcoming guests (although it was a passion of his).  He moved the mitzvah further off, so to speak, and this ultimately compelled Avraham to make greater efforts to accomplish it.  It was Avraham's choice to rise up from the pain, making a conscious choice to pursue the opportunity, ran towards it with all his strength, and became even greater through his actions.  He passed on this strength to us, through 'spiritual DNA', to always be able to stretch ourselves, to think, to love, to struggle, to act, no matter how difficult.

Yes, mitzvos can sometimes be a challenge for us.  But we have the strengths, the mind, heart and soul, to combat any deterrent, and to forge on with the holy path.  Hashem is just giving us some room to run... and grow.