Thought of the Week - Toldot

B''H
Thought of the Week



Hello to all once again. Thank G-d this is the 3rd week of the Thought of the Week, and it seems to be getting good feedback. I would like to try something new called the weekly good deed. Every week I’ll connect one good deed to the Torah Portion of that specific week. We’ll all try to perform that good deed to the best of our ability, until the next week for the newer good deed. Don’t worry, I guarantee it’ll be simple ones (for those of you who are starting to get all worried). Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

This weeks’ portion is Toldot. Toldot talks about Isaac and Rebecca’s chronicles.
The portion starts by telling us that Rebecca was sterile. (There were several Kabalistic reasons for this, which we will not get into - for more info on this feel free to ask). The Torah then tells us of how Isaac and Rebecca went to Mount Moriah to pray for children. Isaac was on one side while Rebecca was standing on the other. The Torah then says that G-d answered Isaac’s prayers.
The commentator Rashi comments:
‘Usually a woman’s prayer is answered before her husbands, but this case is different. This is because the prayer of a saint who is the son of a saint (in this case Isaac) cannot be compared to the prayer of a saint, who is the child of a wicked person (in this case Rebecca.) However you must remember that Rebecca did not have to change her name. (Unlike Sara which was changed from Sarai.) Rebecca was surrounded by wicked people, nonetheless she remained a saint. Therefore she was rewarded by not having to change her name.’

Thus she conceived twins - 2 boys.

We mentioned that a woman’s prayer is normally answered first. The following story will clarify this.
There was once a saint in the time of the Talmud named Abba Chelkiah. He was the Grandson of the famous Choni Ha Me’aggol. (Just a short note about his story, Choni was during the time of a drought. He brought rain by drawing a circle on the ground and standing inside of it, promising that he will not leave until rain comes. Evidently, it rained. (Hence the name Ha Me’aggol/The Circle Drawer.)
Abba Chelkiah was considered a very great saint. In times of drought the sages would come to his house and ask him to pray. It would usually begin to rain even before they left his house!
One year there was an extremely severe drought. A number of sages came to his house asking him to pray. Not finding him at home they went to look for him in the field where they found him working. When they greeted him however, not only did he not return the greeting, he did not even look up at them.
With no choice the sages remained in the field all day waiting for him to complete his work.
On the way home Abba Chelkiah did a number of strange things. He was very poor and had to carry a load of wood home.
He placed the wood on one shoulder, and his cloak on the other. All the way he walked barefoot but when he had to cross the stream he put them on only to take them off again as soon as he was on the other side. When he came to a place where there were brambles, he lifted his tunic placing its corners on his shoulders.
Upon arriving home, his wife beautifully made up, came out to greet him. He allowed his wife to enter the house first and he followed her. Although the sages were accompanying them, he did not show them any honor, nor did he invite them in. Knowing his good ways, however, they followed him into the house on their own.
Sitting down with his wife and 2 sons, Abba Chelkiah did not invite the other sages to join the meal, as good manners would normally dictate. He divided the bread into 3 portions, giving one to the older son and 2 to the younger.
After the meal, he whispered to his wife. “It seems that the sages of Israel have come to me because of the current drought. Let us go up on the roof as if we didn’t want to be involved, and there we will pray. Perhaps it will be a time of divine favor and rain will come tonight. Let them not know that it was because of our prayers, they have not yet said a word to me as to why they came.”
Climbing the stairs to the flat roof of their house, Abba Chelkiah stood on one side and his wife on the other. So they began to pray. Surely enough it became cloudy, however it was on his wife’s side. On his side it was clear and full of stars with no single evidence of cloud.
Abba Chelkiah then came down and began to converse with the sages making them most welcome. “Why did you come?” He asked.
“Master” they replied. “You must know the greatest sages have sent us to you to pray for rain. They knew that you’re prayers are rapidly accepted.”
“But look! Even as we speak it is beginning to rain. May G-d’s name be blessed! He has had mercy on his world and you no longer need my prayers”
“You cannot fool us master. There is little question in our minds that your prayers brought this rain. As soon as you left us you must’ve prayed. May G-d reward you! But before we leave we would like to ask you some questions about the strange manner you conducted yourself today.”
“Ask and I will explain.” Abba Chelkiah replied.
“When we greeted you, why did you not return our greeting?”
“I was working and being paid by the day, it was therefore forbidden for me to put down my work and speak to others even for a moment.”

They then asked him about his strange actions on the way home. He told them that the reason for putting his cloak on his shoulder was because it was not given to him to use as a pad under his wood, but he borrowed it in order to look decent when walking amongst people.
They also questioned him about his strange ways when he crossed the stream. He told them:
“On the road I can see where I’m going, I don’t have to wear out my good shoes, but in the water I must wear them since I can’t see where I’m going and I might step on something harmful”

They were also confused about the fact that he did not leave his tunic down to protect his legs. They were wondering why he had to lift it up. Abba Chelkiah explained that his legs can heal, however a torn tunic does not heal itself.
They then asked him about his strange actions upon arriving at his house. His wife was all dressed up, and she also entered the house first Abba Chelkiah following, leaving the scholars outside.
“A man must be careful not to look at a woman other than his wife. Such a glance may be harmful. Since there are several families in the courtyard I want my wife to look so beautiful that I’ll want to look only at her. As for my wife going in first, I didn’t know you and couldn’t assume you to be virtuous. Therefore I didn’t want my wife to remain alone with you in the house. This is the reason I went in after her.”
“Why didn’t you invite us to partake in your meal?”
“There wasn’t enough food for all of us. One should not invite others when there isn’t enough. It is considered misrepresentation.”
“Why did you give a single piece of bread to the elder son and 2 to the younger?”
“The younger studies all day and needs the strength whilst the older is at home all day and can eat as much as he wants.”
He explained that it was for 2 reasons that the clouds came on his wife’s side rather than his.
“It is because of her charitable deeds. When a woman gives alms it is on a much higher level than those given by her husband. Firstly she is usually at home. When a poor person comes she he never leaves him empty handed. The man however is in his business, and its very difficult for the poor person to reach him, furthermore, if the poor man is hungry, the wife gives him a piece of bread satisfying him right away. However a man usually can only give money and the poor person must go to the trouble of buying bread himself. Sometimes he could die of hunger while seeking to buy bread and then too late.
“My wife,” continued Abba Chelkiah has another merit; we had really terrible neighbors who did acts of immorality. I prayed they die whilst she prayed they change their ways for the better. This eventually brought them to repent and improve. For all these reasons the clouds came on her side.
After reading this story we see the great merit of charity and prayer comes hand in hand. Note that the Rebbe, Reb Menachem Mendel Schneerson used to stand hours at a time, every Sunday giving out dollars for charity. He always used to say,“charity hastens the coming of the redemption.” It says in the Talmud, “charity saves from death.” Please add in charity at least for this week. Please give everyday (except Shabbat (Friday night and Saturday till nightfall) and double on Friday) to any charity fund. And remember you make the difference.

©Yermi Kurkus - thought of the week

Derived mainly from Meamloez – Talmud - and the teachings of the Rebbe.

Quick Thought- Ephron (interesting)

B”H


Genesis 23:16: Abraham listened to Ephron, and Abraham weighed out for Ephron the silver that he spoke of in the hearing of the children of Heth, four hundred silver shekels, negotiable currency.


Ephron knew that Abraham was very wealthy, and gave Abraham’s property Ein Hara (the evil eye).

In the Torah, Ephron is usually spelled with a “Vav”. In this case, however it is written without the “Vav”. This indicates that Ephron’s stature had been reduced. He had promised much, but had delivered little. When Abraham wanted to pay. He demanded full-sized coins that would be universally negotiable (which is known that only four people in the world had universally accepted coins; and they were: Abraham, Joshua, King David, and Mordechai).

In its abbreviated form, the numerical value of Ephron is 400. [Eyin= 70, Peh= 80, Resh= 200, and Nun= 50.] This is also the numerical value of Eyin Hara. (“Evil Eye.")

This indicates that since he had the audacity to demand such a large sum, he was actually a low class individual. The Torah therefore deletes a letter from his name. Furthermore, he was punished for his jealousy of Abraham and for giving him the Evil Eye.

The Talmud states that whenever the Torah refers to a shekel, it means a coin weighing a sela. Each of Abraham’s shekels, however, weighed a centenar, which is one hundred sela’im. (Brachot 50a)

A sela is the weight of 384 average barleycorns. (Yad Shkeilim 1:2) A dram is the weight of 32 barleycorns. Therefore a sela is 12 derams (aprox. 3/4 of a modern ounce.) each of Abraham’s shekels therefore weighed 1200 drams or 75 ounces. The 400 shekels that Abraham paid were therefore 480,000 drams or 30,000 ounces of pure silver. (In modern currency this would be aprox. $18,000.)

According to another opinion, each shekel here was 100 manin. A mana is 18 3/4 drams or 1.17 ounces. Each shekel was therefore 1875 drams or 117 ounces. Abraham’s four hundred shekels thus came out to be 750,000 drams or 46,875 ounces of pure silver. (In modern currency, this would be aprox. $28,125)

The Torah says that this was “negotiable currency”. These were coins that were universally accepted.

(Some interpret the phrase “over la’socher” here to mean, “passed over merchandise”. Ephron was afraid that some of the coins that Abraham would give him would be deficient or short weighted. He therefore asked Abraham to buy merchandise for the 400 shekels and give it to him. He then knew for certain that he would obtain his full price.

Derived from the Ma’am Loez.

Thought of the Week - Chaye Sara

B''H

Thought of the Week




It says that a “Messenger of a Mitzvah doesn’t get harmed.” This means that when one goes on an errand in order to do a Mitzvah, no harm or hardships come to him. This is because when a person does an effort to do a Mitzvah G-D helps him out on that errand.

As we see from our Parshah Avraham sent Eliezer to find a wife for Yitzchak. He could not send Yitzchak because of the incident with the Akeidah (Parshas Veyirah). One who is used for such sacramental purpose’s is not allowed to leave Israel. Therefore Yitzchak was not allowed to leave Israel.
When Eliezer heard that Yitzchak was ready to marry, he begged Avraham to take his daughter as a wife for Yitzchak, not as an excuse not to go, but his daughter was a great Tzadekes, and he thought she might be worthy. This made Avraham very angry with Eliezer and told him not to forget who he is, Avraham’s servant. He was also a Canaanite who are cursed. (by Noach… Genesis 9:25) Avraham then wrote a deed promising all his possessions to Issac, dating it to that very day. He then told Eliezer to go to his family in Aram Narayim and take a wife from there.
Eliezer left on that day as he was commanded. Aram Neharayim was a 17 day travel (approx 550 miles) and according to one opinion he arrived on the same day he left! This was due to his greatness, that G-d sent him angels to assist him with his trip and to make it go faster. According to another opinion, is that b/c he was on this special errand for Avraham who is so precious in front of G-d therefore he arrived quickly.
When Eliezer arrived he praised G-d for assistance and for a sign. It is known that you may not ask for signs however here it was different because Eliezer was so sincere to Avraham that he wanted to do his mission to the fullest and therefore asked for G-d to help.
He hadn’t even finished praying when Rivka came out to draw water from the well. When Eliezer saw how the water raised up to her by itself he realized that this must be the one. He gave her all types of beautiful jewelry, and asked if he can lodge at her parents’ house.
When she went to tell her parents about Eliezer, Laban heard and saw how rich this guy was. He ran to see who it was he and saw Eliezer who looked a lot like Avraham and thought it was he. So he therefore plotted to kill him and take all that was with him. Eliezer however knew this and he elevated himself to be the same height as the camels. The only thing was Eliezer didn’t want Laban to suspect that he was dealing with sorcery (because black magic can also allow you to do this) so he then elevated himself over the well.
This was because those that are versed in occult art know that they are powerless when in contact with water. As the Talmud relates (Sanhedrin 67b) regarding an important merchant bought a donkey and when he brought it to drink from the spring it dissolved, in those times in Alexandria sorcerers would transform boards into animals and sell them however since he was an important person he got his money refunded.
Lavan then saw he had no power over Eliezer (which he later on found out that he was Avrahams servant!) He next tried poisoning Eliezer, but yet another miracle was done, and an angel switched Eliezer’s portion with that of Bethuel (Rivka and Laban’s father.)
Now, this was done for several reasons.
a) Laban was to father Rachel and leah, jacobs wives and mothers of most of the 12 tribes (which will be discussed in a few more portions)
b) Bethuel was known in that town as the “Droit de seignior” which means that he had the right to be intimate with a bride b/4 her husband. This angered many people, however they said that if Bethuel would be intimate with Rivka. That way it would be fair since he does it to everyone, but if he wouldn’t they would kill him, Eliezer and Rivka. Therefore G-d made a miracle that killed Bethuel, before he can do anything.

This only proves to us that when we are on a journey for a mitzvah a person doesn’t get harmed. However anyone can do this on any journey he/she goes out. If you take upon yourself to do a good deed, or if someone gives you money to put in charity when you get to your destination, you then become an missionary on a mission to do a mitzvah and therefore you wont get harmed. It’s never late to take upon yourself a good deed/mitzvah for G-d and in the end essentially its for your own good!

Remember you can be the cause to tip the scale of good deeds and hasten Moshiach.

Derived mainly from the Me’am Loez and from the teachings of the Rebbe Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn.

© Yermi Kurkus doonlygood@gmail.com

For more information and for question’s feel free to contact me.

Thought of the Week - Vayeira

B''H

Thought of the week



As we all know Parshat Vayeira is famous for several incidents that occur in this portion to name a few such as:

Abraham was in his 3rd day after being circumcised (Bris) this day is known as the most painful day due to it’s inflammation. The Torah tells us how G-d showed up at Avraham’s home (Vayeira El Avraham). G-d came to visit Avraham. This teaches us that it’s a Mitzvah (good deed) to visit the sick. G-d came at the hottest time of day (around 10am to mid day.) This teaches us that one should come when the person is in his most pain.
There are two reasons for this:
a) To cheer him up.
b) In order that you shall have pity on him, and will pray for his speedy recovery.

Another incident that occurred in our portion, is the story of the destruction of Sodom:
It’s says that G-d got angry at Sodom and decided to destroy it together with the four surrounding cities. (As it states: “The outcry of Sodom and Gomorah is so great, and their sin is so very grave” Genesis 18:20)

However questions arise from this:

• Hasn’t G-d learned from the generation of the flood? Is G-d going to give Abraham some promise that He’ll never destroy a city again, just as G-d did to Noah in the previous portion that He gave the rainbow as a covenant and promise to never bring a flood to the world?
• Why doesn’t G-d punish them in some other way? Why does destruction have to take place again?
• And finally what was so bad about Sodom that brought G-d to punish them so harshly?

In order to answer these questions we must first tell you who the people of Sodom were, hence replying the final question first and the other answers lye with in:

The city of Sodom was in the southern part of the land then ruled by the Canaanites. It was a major city and yet very wealthy. They had four other cities that were attached to it by the names of Gomorah, Admah, Tzevoyim and Tzoar. All were just as evil as their neighboring town Sodom. These people were so bad that they hated anything that had to do with good. For example one of their laws contained a decree against all foreigners that came by the town. No guest was accepted to any ones homes to stay a night but they were told to sleep in the streets. Then when the “inn keeper” would walk around the town and see someone sleeping on the street he would ask him, “why are you sleeping out here in the cold, it’s very dangerous here at night, come to my inn sleep on a bed.” If the guest was to insist on staying outside, he would then be murdered. When the guest was to come to the so called inn they would look to see if he was tall or short, if he was tall they gave him a short bed and cut off his legs to fit him to the bed, if he was short they would give him a long bed, three people would pull him from his feet while other three would pull him from his arms to fit him to the bed. This was the way the wicked people of Sodom would treat all their guests.

Another terrible thing they would do was that their judges were so corrupt they would favor the criminals over the righteous. As is related: ‘Once Sara sent Eliezer their head servant to her brother Lot then living in Sodom. As Eliezer entered the city he saw a Sodomite beating and yelling at one of his guests. Seeing this Eliezer told the man “Don’t you have any fear of G-d? Why are you beating this poor man for nothing? He is your guest you must respect him”
“Mind your own business!” The Sodomite replied. “Who do you think you are, anyway? You’re a stranger! Who appointed you as our judge? This man is nothing to you so why are you siding with him?” With that, he struck Eliezer in the head with a stone, causing him to bleed profusely.
Eliezer was strong and powerful, and was not cowed by the Sodomite. When they saw that they couldn’t beat him, they suggested the matter be solved in court. With a wink at his friends, the judge passed sentence, “ The man who struck you is a professional blood shedder. Pay him his fee.”
Enraged Eliezer took a stone and bloodied the judge’s face. He said to the judge, “ I am also a professional blood shedder. Take the fee that you owe me and pay it to the one who struck me!”

G-d hates evil and mischief; G-d detests corruptness especially by judges and so called justices. G-d is merciful, loving, truthful, compassionate and yet very just, and if the rulers of these cities were so corrupt they had no place in G-d’s world and deserve to be destroyed if they do not repent.

This only shows us how great the reward must be for good doers and those that are just and honest, for everything has a flip side to it. As we see in science. Plus and minus attract even though they are so different. This is to the extent that they are opposites yet they are one. Hence everything has to have an opposite to it. If G-d destroys the world, city or people for their evil doing what must happen to those that do good?

May it be G-d’s will that through our good merits shall He build the third Temple speedily in our times with His righteous Messiah and shall He destruct no more.

Remember you can make a difference with your good deeds what ever they shall be!

A Good Shabbos.

This article was mostly derived from the writings of Rabbi Yaacov Culi the Me’Am Loez.
For more info or questions feel free to contact me at doonlygood@hotmail.com
Yermiyahu Kurkus