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

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