Parsha Lech Lecha
The elder Rebbe from Lubavitch said that the flood was a
combination of one giant Mikvah and boiling water at poinIts like a year in
Gehennom to clean up the earth. The people learned to be nicer to each other
but were still up to no-good. They built a tower to make war with HASHEM and
only Shem, Ever and some of his descendants to Abram kept the original
language. Already in Avraham’s day Terach was an idol maker and it was Abram
who broke the idols.
From what I discussed last year the Bris between the pieces
occurred when Abram was 70 years old. Our story begins five years later and
gets into the first war like Gog and Magog and then returns to five years later
as there is no early or late in Torah.
12:1 Now the LORD said unto Abram: 'Get thee out of thy country,
and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto the land that I will
show thee. 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and
make thy name great; and be thou a blessing. 3 And I will bless them that bless
thee, and him that curses thee will I curse; and in thee shall all the families
of the earth be blessed.'
It is known that one uprooting himself unless
guaranteed a good job usually does not gain wealth, traveling and resettling
does not help one relax enough to having a family but Avraham is guaranteed
this and not only that but a new immigrant does not usually make a great name
for himself. Yet HASHEM guarantees this to Abram.
4 So Abram went, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with
him; and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.
I want to refer to a Medrash that Avraham looked like
Yitzchak so much that he prayed for a sign called age to distinguish. He made a
coin with an elderly couple on one side and a younger couple on the other. I am
not yet 70 but beginning to feel my age. Call it not eating the natural food
that Avraham had or the preservatives, pesticides, soaps that have crept into
the foods I ate over the years. Avraham was no youngster, the earth after the
flood was not contusive for people living 900 years anymore and the generations
died younger and younger. Yet to attempt this feat with the bad roads and
transportation that Abram had at his age is amazing to me today. Of course if
the Medrash is correct and he felt like he was 30 or 40 that makes for a
different story that I feel as I am in my late sixties.
5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all
their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in
Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of
Canaan they came. 6 And Abram passed through the land unto the place of
Shechem, unto the terebinth of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land. 7
And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said: 'Unto thy seed will I give this
land'; and he built there an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him. 8 And
he removed from thence unto the mountain on the east of Beth-el, and pitched
his tent, having Beth-el on the west, and Ai on the east; and he built there an
altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD. 9 And Abram
journeyed, going on still toward the South.
These places would become important in future
generations and by building an Altar that would give protect to his
descendants.
10 And there was a famine in the land; and Abram went down into
Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was sore in the land. 11 And it came to
pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his
wife: 'Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon. 12 And it
will come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they will say: This
is his wife; and they will kill me, but thee they will keep alive. 13 Say, I
pray thee, thou art my sister; that it may be well with me for thy sake, and
that my soul may live because of thee.' 14 And it came to pass, that, when
Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very
fair. 15 And the princes of Pharaoh saw her, and praised her to Pharaoh; and
the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house. 16 And he dealt well with Abram for
her sake; and he had sheep, and oxen, and he-asses, and men-servants, and
maid-servants, and she-asses, and camels. 17 And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and
his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife. 18 And Pharaoh
called Abram, and said: 'What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst
thou not tell me that she was thy wife? 19 Why did you say: She is my sister?
so that I took her to be my wife; now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and
go thy way.' 20 And Pharaoh gave men charge concerning him; and they brought
him on the way, and his wife, and all that he had.
We do not see Abram answering the question that Pharaoh
asked here but only later with Avimelech. “Because there is no fear of G-D
here!” There was pre-flood behavior of killing husbands and taking their wives.
Saddam Hussein did this with a few of his generals so the other generals would
divorce their wives.
13:1 And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that
he had, and Lot with him, into the South. 2 And Abram was very rich in cattle,
in silver, and in gold. 3 And he went on his journeys from the South even to
Beth-el, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between
Beth-el and Ai; 4 unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the
first; and Abram called there on the name of the LORD. 5 And Lot also, who went
with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. 6 And the land was not able to
bear them, that they might dwell together; for their substance was great, so
that they could not dwell together. 7 And there was a strife between the herdsmen
of Abram's cattle and the herdsman of Lot's cattle. And the Canaanite and the
Perizzite dwelt then in the land.
Abram trained his herdsmen to muzzle the cattle when
traveling near private property while Lot’s servants said the land will belong
to Lot someday as Abram and Sarai are barren and the only one who can inherit
is Lot. Since the land is ours there is no need to muzzle the cattle.
8 And Abram said unto Lot: 'Let there be no strife, I pray thee,
between me and thee, and between my herdsman and thy herdsman; for we are
brethren. 9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee,
from me; if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if
thou take the right hand, then I will go to the left.' 10 And Lot lifted up his
eyes, and beheld all the plain of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere,
before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, like the garden of the LORD, like
the land of Egypt, as thou go unto Zoar. 11 So Lot chose him all the plain of
the Jordan; and Lot journeyed east; and they separated themselves the one from
the other. 12 Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of
the Plain, and moved his tent as far as Sodom. 13 Now the men of Sodom were
wicked and sinners against the LORD exceedingly.
If you think that Las Vegas is sin city this place was
worse. For people were tortured, guests unwelcome and rape was common of both
men and women especially strangers. Lot was welcome because there were plans to
rob him and they needed a judge at the time. Another possibility is what
happened five years before with the war of the Kings and they were saved by
Abram because of Lot so he was a good luck charm for them.
14 And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from
him: 'Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art, northward
and southward and eastward and westward; 15 for all the land which thou see, to
thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever. 16 And I will make thy seed as
the dust of the earth; so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then
shall thy seed also be numbered. 17 Arise, walk through the land in the length
of it and in the breadth of it; for unto thee will I give it.' 18 And Abram
moved his tent, and came and dwelt by the terebinths of Mamre, which are in
Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD.
We have yet to receive this promise from Turkey to
Egypt.
14:1 And
it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar,
Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim,
This is the first war of Gog and Magog. Abram with the help of G-D
has a swift victory against these powerful nations.
2 that
they made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab
king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela--the same is
Zoar. 3 All these came as allies unto the vale of Siddim--the same is the Salt
Sea. 4 Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they
rebelled. 5 And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer and the kings that
were with him, and smote the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, and the Zuzim in
Ham, and the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim, 6 and the Horites in their mount Seir,
unto El-paran, which is by the wilderness. 7 And they turned back, and came to
En-mishpat--the same is Kadesh--and smote all the country of theOn Amalekites,
and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazazon-tamar. 8 And there went out the
king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of
Zeboiim, and the king of Bela--the same is Zoar; and they set the battle in
array against them in the vale of Siddim; 9 against Chedorlaomer king of Elam,
and Tidal king of Goiim, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of
Ellasar; four kings against the five.
This story according to the commentaries happened five years
earlier when Lot had lived in the land beforehand.
10 Now
the vale of Siddim was full of slime pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah
fled, and they fell there, and they that remained fled to the mountain.
These are the massive sinkholes that occur as the Dead Sea retreats
and the less water from the Yarden the faster the retreat causing more
sinkholes as underground caves collapse when they dry out or due to
earthquakes.
11 And
they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went
their way. 12 And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and
his goods, and departed. 13 And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram
the Hebrew--now he dwelt by the terebinths of Mamre the Amorite, brother of
Eshcol, and brother of Aner; and these were confederate with Abram. 14 And when
Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he led forth his trained men,
born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued as far as Dan.
Named after the future place and this is the modern Banias Springs
at the foot of Lebanon and the Golan Heights.
15 And he
divided himself against them by night, he and his servants, and smote them, and
pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.
One commentary says 318 soldiers and one says only Eliezer whose
name is 318 in Gematria. It appears more likely to me that there were like the
Pshat 318 soldiers. This is how the war of Gog will end with everybody fighting
each other like in Schem after Levi and Shimon killed the men of the town and
the neighbors assembled against Yacov.
16 And he
brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot, and his
goods, and the women also, and the people. 17 And the king of Sodom went out to
meet him, after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer and the kings
that were with him, at the vale of Shaveh--the same is the King's Vale. 18 And
Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine; and he was priest of
God the Most High. 19 And he blessed him, and said: 'Blessed be Abram of God
Most High, Maker of heaven and earth; 20 and blessed be God the Most High, who
hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand.' And he gave him a tenth of all. 21
And the king of Sodom said unto Abram: 'Give me the persons, and take the goods
to thyself.' 22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom: 'I have lifted up my hand
unto the LORD, God Most High, Maker of heaven and earth, 23 that I will not
take a thread nor a shoe-latchet nor aught that is thine, lest thou should say:
I have made Abram rich; 24 save only that which the young men have eaten, and
the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre, let them
take their portion.'
This is the Pshat that 318 men attacked at night with torches and
banging swords on shields and the enemy was surprised by the noise and panic
ensued.
15:1
After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying:
'Fear not, Abram, I am thy shield, thy reward shall be exceeding great.' 2 And
Abram said: 'O Lord GOD, what wilt Thou give me, seeing I go hence childless,
and he that shall be possessor of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?' 3 And Abram
said: 'Behold, to me Thou hast given no seed, and, lo, one born in my house is
to be mine heir.' 4 And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying:
'This man shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine
own bowels shall be thine heir.' 5 And He brought him forth abroad, and said:
'Look now toward heaven, and count the stars, if thou be able to count them';
and He said unto him: 'So shall thy seed be.' 6 And he believed in the LORD;
and He counted it to him for righteousness.
Abram said, “But according to my Jupiter at birth I am destined to
be barren.” HASHEM took him above the stars and planets and the Jupiter of Avraham
and Sarah was not the Jupiter of Abram and Sarai.
7 And He
said unto him: 'I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to
give thee this land to inherit it.' 8 And he said: 'O Lord GOD, whereby shall I
know that I shall inherit it?'
All this occurs in the year 2018 and not the year 2023 where our
Parsha stared off. This is 430 years before the leaving of Mitzrayim in the
days of Moshe.
9 And He
said unto him: 'Take Me a heifer of three years old, and a she-goat of three
years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtle-dove, and a young
pigeon.' 10 And he took him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid
each half over against the other; but the birds divided he not. 11 And the
birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, and Abram drove them away. 12 And
it came to pass, that, when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon
Abram; and, lo, a dread, even a great darkness, fell upon him.
The Pshat is that Avraham is exhausted from driving away the
vultures and other birds from the Korbanos. He then goes into a deep sleep.
13 And He
said unto Abram: 'Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land
that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four
hundred years; 14 and also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge;
and afterward shall they come out with great substance. 15 But thou shalt go to
thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. 16 And in the
fourth generation they shall come back hither; for the iniquity of the Amorite
is not yet full.' 17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and
there was thick darkness, behold a smoking furnace, and a flaming torch that
passed between these pieces. 18 In that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram,
saying: 'Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the
great river, the river Euphrates; 19 the Kenite, and the Kenizzite, and the
Kadmonite, 20 and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Rephaim, 21 and the
Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Girgashite, and the Jebusite.'
We have yet to get all these lands from these nations and will
only receive them in the future.
16:1 Now
Sarai Abram's wife bore him no children; and she had a handmaid, an Egyptian,
whose name was Hagar. 2 And Sarai said unto Abram: 'Behold now, the LORD hath
restrained me from bearing; go in, I pray thee, unto my handmaid; it may be
that I shall be built up through her.' And Abram hearkened to the voice of
Sarai.
Hagar is the first recorded surrogate mother.
3 And
Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar the Egyptian, her handmaid, after Abram had dwelt
ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to Abram her husband to be his
wife. 4 And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived; and when she saw that she
had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. 5 And Sarai said unto
Abram: 'My wrong be upon thee: I gave my handmaid into thy bosom; and when she
saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between
me and thee.' 6 But Abram said unto Sarai: 'Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do
to her that which is good in thine eyes.' And Sarai dealt harshly with her, and
she fled from her face. 7 And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of
water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. 8 And he said:
'Hagar, Sarai's handmaid, whence did you came? and whither are you going?' And
she said: 'I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.' 9 And the angel of the
LORD said unto her: 'Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her
hands.'
So Hagar returned and as a result she receives a blessing for
Yishmael that he will be many and like a wild donkey.
10 And
the angel of the LORD said unto her: 'I will greatly multiply thy seed, that it
shall not be numbered for multitude. 11 And the angel of the LORD said unto
her: 'Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son; and thou shalt call his
name Ishmael, because the LORD hath heard thy affliction. 12 And he shall be a
wild ass of a man: his hand shall be against every man, and every man's hand
against him; and he shall dwell in the face of all his brethren.' 13 And she
called the name of the LORD that spoke unto her, Thou art a God of seeing; for
she said: 'Have I even here seen Him that sees Me?' 14 Wherefore the well was
called 'Beer-lahai-roi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered. 15 And Hagar
bore Abram a son; and Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bore,
Ishmael. 16 And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bore Ishmael
to Abram.
Abram becomes Avraham at the bris and Sarai become Sara. Yishmael
is rewarded for undergoing the bris voluntarily so in the future he receives
Eretz Yisrael and Har HaBeit for 1300 years a 100 years for his age. Aka 13
x100 = 1300.
17:1 And
when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said
unto him: 'I am God Almighty; walk before Me, and be thou wholehearted. 2 And I
will make My covenant between Me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.'
3 And Abram fell on his face; and God talked with him, saying: 4 'As for Me,
behold, My covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be the father of a multitude
of nations. 5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name
shall be Abraham; for the father of a multitude of nations have I made thee. 6
And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and
kings shall come out of thee. 7 And I will establish My covenant between Me and
thee and thy seed after thee throughout their generations for an everlasting
covenant, to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee. 8 And I will give
unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land of thy sojourning, all the land
of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.'
This is G-D’s part of the bris.
9 And God
said unto Abraham: 'And as for thee, thou shalt keep My covenant, thou, and thy
seed after thee throughout their generations. 10 This is My covenant, which ye
shall keep, between Me and you and thy seed after thee: every male among you
shall be circumcised. 11 And ye shall be circumcised in the flesh of your
foreskin; and it shall be a token of a covenant betwixt Me and you. 12 And he
that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male throughout
your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any
foreigner, that is not of thy seed. 13 He that is born in thy house, and he
that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised; and My covenant shall
be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14 And the uncircumcised male who
is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that soul shall be cut off
from his people; he hath broken My covenant.' 15 And God said unto Abraham: 'As
for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her
name be. 16 And I will bless her, and moreover I will give thee a son of her;
yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples
shall be of her.'
Not only will you be blessed but your wife at the age of 90 will
give birth!
17 Then
Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart: 'Shall a child
be born unto him that is a hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety
years old, bear?' 18 And Abraham said unto God: 'Oh that Ishmael might live
before Thee!' 19 And God said: 'Nay, but Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son;
and thou shalt call his name Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him
for an everlasting covenant for his seed after him. 20 And as for Ishmael, I have
heard thee; behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will
multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a
great nation. 21 But My covenant will I establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall
bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.' 22 And He left off talking
with him, and God went up from Abraham. 23 And Abraham took Ishmael his son,
and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money,
every male among the men of Abraham's house, and circumcised the flesh of their
foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him. 24 And Abraham was
ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his
foreskin. 25 And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised
in the flesh of his foreskin. 26 In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised,
and Ishmael his son. 27 And all the men of his house, those born in the house,
and those bought with money of a foreigner, were circumcised with him.
Everybody born or becoming a non-Jewish slave is to be circumcised.
The Judge with a
good memory by Rabbi Yerachmiel Tilles http://ascentofsafed.com/cgi-bin/ascent.cgi?Name=934-06
Yair Eitan's father ran a produce distribution
business in Northern Israel. When Yair was old enough, he began driving the
delivery truck.
One of his regular deliveries was at Yeshivah Lev V'Nefesh, whose
student body was primarily comprised of ba'alei
teshuvah. Yair's parents had carefully shielded him from his religion; his
upbringing was strictly secular. Much to his surprise, the joy and excitement
Yair saw within the yeshivah walls aroused his curiosity. He
allowed himself to be drawn into conversation with a few yeshivah students. On his third trip there,
Yair was already sitting down for a few minutes to sample Torah study.
When Yair finally told his parents what he had discovered in the yeshivah, his father became
enraged. "No son of mine is going to become a backward, bearded chareidi! You are no longer to
deliver to that route and you are forbidden to visit that yeshivah, or any other yeshivah, ever again!"
Yair knew that one must obey one's father, except when a parent
explicitly commands a child to disobey the Torah. He continued to clandestinely
visit the yeshivah. But
his father found out, and he reacted violently. Yair, however, was determined.
He inquired as to other available yeshivas,
left a note wishing his parents well, and left without revealing his
destination.
His father searched for him and forced him to return home. Not only
that, he blamed the Rosh
Yeshivah of Lev V'Nefesh and
filed charges against him of brainwashing his 18-year-old son and of
engineering his flight from home.
The trial aroused great interest, and the trial date found a packed
courtroom eagerly awaiting to hear the proceedings. Yair's testimony did not
help the prosecution at all. Yair insisted that he had not been coerced to
attend the yeshivah; it
was of his own volition.
While Yair was recounting his story, the judge presiding over the
case, an elderly man, seemed a bit distracted. He would intermittently take his
eyes off the speaker to gaze intently at Yair's father. When Yair left the
witness stand, the judge announced, "I would like Mr. Eitan to step
forward." Yair's father was
surprised as he stepped up to the witness stand. The judge asked if he was of
Eastern European descent, and if his name back in Europe was perhaps
"Stark". Mr. Eitan was
clearly taken aback, and he stammered that the judge was indeed correct.
"And are you originally from Pinsk?" asked the judge. Mr. Eitan nodded meekly.
The judge continued, "I remember you well. You come from one of the finest homes of pre-War Pinsk. Your father was a deeply religious and highly respected man. Your mother was renowned for her kindness. She would cook meals for the poor and the sick regularly. "I remember well when, as an 18-year-old, you openly departed from your parents' ways. When you publicly desecrated the Shabbat for the first time, your father aged overnight and seemed to be constantly in mourning. "Your mother would shed a river of tears every Friday night when she lit the candles. I often wondered what became of all her tears. I'm not the most religious person, but I know that there is a G-d who runs this world, and I could not understand how the tears of so righteous a woman could be ignored in Heaven.
"And are you originally from Pinsk?" asked the judge. Mr. Eitan nodded meekly.
The judge continued, "I remember you well. You come from one of the finest homes of pre-War Pinsk. Your father was a deeply religious and highly respected man. Your mother was renowned for her kindness. She would cook meals for the poor and the sick regularly. "I remember well when, as an 18-year-old, you openly departed from your parents' ways. When you publicly desecrated the Shabbat for the first time, your father aged overnight and seemed to be constantly in mourning. "Your mother would shed a river of tears every Friday night when she lit the candles. I often wondered what became of all her tears. I'm not the most religious person, but I know that there is a G-d who runs this world, and I could not understand how the tears of so righteous a woman could be ignored in Heaven.
"Today my question has been answered. I see that her tears
were not shed in vain. Today, almost 50 years later, her grandson has returned
to the ways of his ancestors. "Mr. Eitan, I'm sure you recall that on more
than one occasion, friends of your parents pleaded with you that for your
parents' sake you should at least refrain from public transgression. "As I
recall, your response was, 'I'm now eighteen and I make my own decisions. I can
live my life any way I please.' "And you dare to file charges because your
eighteen-year-old son has chosen to return to the ways that you abandoned?
…Case dismissed."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: Adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from the rendition by Rabbi Shlomo Price on // nevehzion.org. Submitted by Rabbi Shaul Leiter, executive director of Ascent-in-Safed. Connection: [Midrash on] weekly reading-Terach abandoned the ways of his holy ancestors, and Avraham turned from the ways of his father, Terach, and cleaved to the One G-d.
Source: Adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from the rendition by Rabbi Shlomo Price on // nevehzion.org. Submitted by Rabbi Shaul Leiter, executive director of Ascent-in-Safed. Connection: [Midrash on] weekly reading-Terach abandoned the ways of his holy ancestors, and Avraham turned from the ways of his father, Terach, and cleaved to the One G-d.
I am flooded with love and gratitude for this incredible woman who profoundly inspired me so many years ago when I spent a year in Jerusalem deepening my Jewish commitment and learning in a women’s yeshiva. Each Friday morning I would get on the bus and head to their home to help them prepare for Shabbos and hosting 100 guests for each meal.
There is nothing like the Machlis’ Shabbat table. Each week, a flood of guests would arrive, some were invited, some asked to come, some were “regulars” and did not need to be asked or to ask. Students at yeshivas, seminaries and college, as well as some of their visiting parents who had heard about this incredible experience from their children and wanted to experience it themselves. Some were homeless. More than one was a recovering addict and was receiving almost all their meals from the Machlis kitchen, and occasionally even sleeping in the family’s car. Many were tourists, Jewish and non-Jewish, who heard that they could just show up and have one of the most incredible experiences of their life.
The Machlises did not know how many were coming. It could be 50, or 80, or 120. Each guest was welcomed with warmth and a huge smile from Rebbetzin Henny Machlis. Tables would shift, other tables and chairs would be brought in, and we would scurry to add more place settings. There was never a moment of hesitation or hints of concern that there would not be enough food. The older children and I would meet Rebbetzin Machlis in the kitchen and we would quickly pull more things out of the fridge that seemed to be just as magical as the wardrobe from “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” fame. How there was enough food for the throngs of people never will make sense to me.
Once the food was served, Rabbi Machlis would again welcome everyone warmly. Then he would ask us to go around the table and share a piece of wisdom. “It can be an idea from Torah or something else; we all have wisdom to share.” He meant this. While we went around the table, the Machlises would listen to each guest as if they were a scholar or a renowned poet. Each person was treated with warmth and curiosity. They expressed interest in and concern for everyone there.
More than an abundance of food, there was an abundance of joy, love, respect and wisdom. The amount of light that emanates from that small home is blinding.
Henny Machlis embodied so many life-changing lessons that it would take a lifetime of aspiring to reach. With tears streaming down my face, here are just a few that come to mind.
1. It is possible to live in a near constant state of joy: It’s a direct result of being a giver.
2. It is possible to only see the good in others.
3. Everyone is precious. I was not alone in feeling like I was her favorite guest! She truly loved all of us and made it clear that each person should be beloved and welcomed, even those who make others uncomfortable.
4. Never stop learning and growing. Even a woman who has 14 kids and is expecting more than 100 for dinner can find time to learn Torah and often be found with a book in her hands.
5. You can let your family know they come first even while teaching them to be incredible givers. Each child was involved in the family’s abundant giving but Henny always made sure that they each were taken care of. Preparing the Rabbi’s plate before the food was put on the table or grabbing some cookies to be sure the kids would get. Through their unceasing kindness to people who were struggling and in need, like the recovering addicts who were mentally unstable and had nowhere to live, they showed their kids how far one could stretch themselves to give. By having them sleep in their car instead of inside their home, they taught that there are boundaries and that the safety of their children was paramount. They had close to 100 guests almost every Shabbas but only after they had a small private family meal and they made it known that they would not be hosting for the Passover Seder. They had it alone with their children in order to focus entirely on them, hear all of what they had learned at school, and fulfill the mitzvah of teaching one’s children about the Exodus. (Rebbetzin Machlis made arrangements for anyone who needed a Seder to go to various friends and neighbors!)
6. Show respect and love to your spouse. No matter how many guests were there or how much had to be done, Rebbetzin Machlis always stopped and sat to listen to her husband share words of Torah.
7. Everyone has wisdom, everyone can give. A four-year-old can bake a cake. (Their 4-year-old daughter would single handedly make one of the best chocolate cakes I ever tasted.)
8. There is always room and enough food for one (or 20) more. Limits stretch when they need to.
9. Welcome everyone into your home. Every type of person is welcomed to the Machlis home. Religious, non-religious, even anti-religious, Jewish, non-Jewish – Rebbetzin Machlis was not afraid that the variety of guests would have a negative influence on her children. She understood that their home was “THE place to be.” Others flocked there in order to be inspired. People admired and sat in awe of this special couple. Even a skeptical guest would be won over by the second course! The children saw how their parents were admired, beloved and respected by people of every culture, background and political affiliation and saw firsthand the power Torah has on people’s lives.
10. Each child is a world. The Machlis family was my first exposure to a large religious family. It was impossible not to be struck by how unique and altogether amazing each child was! It is easy to lump people together but the Machlis kids taught me that, if anything, having many siblings meant being even more of an individual! Rebbetzin Machlis was incredibly affectionate and truly adored all of her kids. She once told me that each child should have moments of feeling like the “only child;” that a parent should carve out time to make certain children felt that they were loved and understood individually.
There are no words to express my gratitude to Rabbi and Rebbetzin Machlis and their incredible family. Henny will be mourned by the entire Jewish people. May the family be comforted among the Mourners of Zion. And may we all aspire to emulate her ways.
Power of prayer: A Debby G.
posted on the FB wall of a friend of mine how true the story is can be
anybody’s guess but it makes nice copy: My cousin
living in Geula just texted me this: "An Arab was following a Chassidic
lady in Jerusalem for about 20 min. After which he disappeared. The woman
immediately called in his description to the police. They were able to make the
arrest and brought him in for investigation. During which he revealed that he
was planning to stab her but couldnt get close to her, since she had with her
two big bullies one and the right side and one on her left side. After
realizing these bullies weren’t leaving her side he gave up. The police went
back to the woman to confirm she was alone like she had told them. She
confirmed she was alone but said the whole time the Arab was following her she
kept repeating the Pasuk מימיני מיכאל ומשמאלי גבריאל"
On my right side Michael and on my left side Gavriel.
From
Y. What does the Torah teach about abortion?
THE
HALACHA: This was taken from a conference of Orthodox MD's that I attended. The
fetus is an uncertain life the mother is a certain life. If there is no danger
to the mother posed by the fetus there is no reason for an abortion. However,
if the fetus will endanger the mother's life it is called a "Rodef"
or stalker who can be killed to prevent killing another. Once the viable life
is endangered by the uncertain life, we permit abortion. Still many woman take
the risk and undergo various treatments and procedures to save the fetus. We do
not approve of abortion for no reason. Example: If a teen gets pregnant and
will not become suicidal we do not allow it. However, if she becomes suicidal
we permit it to save her life. See also http://www.aish.com/ci/sam/48954946.html and the three page http://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-fetus-in-jewish-law/
Interesting
but not from ET: http://www.forbes.com/sites/ethansiegel/2015/10/16/bizarre-star-kic-8462852-an-alien-paradise-or-a-catastrophic-wasteland/
From
Yaffah Batya regarding force converted Spanish Jews: http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/MKs-launch-Knesset-lobby-for-Sefardic-Jews-forcibly-converted-to-Christianity-423854
From a
near death experience the first to tell me about this was Menashe but I had no
time but then Lenny sent me this: The English condensation is here: http://palmtreeofdeborah.blogspot.co.il/2015/10/chilling-testimony-about-end-of-days.html The YouTube the acoustics are poor
quality. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5udIrXYjU4
Inyanay Diyoma
Two
attacks with two dead terrorist in Chevron and another died near Yerushalayim
on Shabbos and now two new ones: http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Initial-Report-Stabbing-attack-at-Kalandia-checkpoint-426237
Arson?
Workers? Terrorists? Police have questions about this fire that burned 32
buses: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/202016#.ViKY1_krKM8
Who is
sponsoring the terror this past month: http://debka.com/article/24957/Saudis-and-Iran-vie-in-cash-tug-%E2%80%98o-war-behind-Palestinian-terror-US-sidelined
Statistics that are unpleasant. The Hebrew month of Tishrei saw
720 terror attacks. 450 Stonings, 164 Firebombs, 29 Shootings, 37 Stabbings, 10
rockets, 30 explosive devices which led to 147 wounded and 8 dead. – From
Machor Rishon of this past Shabbos.
More of
the Shia-Sunni war in the Middle East. http://debka.com/article/24957/Saudis-and-Iran-vie-in-cash-tug-%E2%80%98o-war-behind-Palestinian-terror-US-sidelined
From Yerachmiel. https://www.algemeiner.com/2015/10/16/israel-to-cut-off-palestinian-authority-payments-to-imprisoned-terrorists/
And you
thought that Jews were smart. One should not think all the time with their gut
it is stupid: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/202041
Arrested
- 17 terrorists: http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/IDF-forces-arrest-17-suspected-terrorists-in-West-Bank-426282
Paratroopers
guarding buses B”H Golani is still soldiering. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/202068#.ViOyTfkrKM8
Stopping
the firebombing of Jewish Neighborhoods: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4712958,00.html
Despite
Cabinet decision the body was returned to the family of the terrorist: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4712808,00.html
Terror
attack in Beer Sheva did they come from Chevron which has not fence? Did
somebody drive them there and try to escape? http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/202080#.ViPYTfkrKM8 http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/terror-attack-in-beer-sehva/2015/10/18/
One of the victims was an African Job Seeker. The security
camera shows him hoping like a spider away from the shooting and the security
guard thought him to be a terrorist spider man after him. He was shot with
several rounds and then kicked and punched by Jews before the police could get him
to an ambulance. He died in the hospital. A Golani Soldier was stabbed and his
gun taken from him. The terrorist was killed but he injured a few policemen. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4712997,00.html
Russian – Israeli hotline: http://debka.com/article/24959/Twelve-air-forces-crowd-Syrian-skies-Israel-Russian-hot-line-may-channel-coordination
Beer
Sheva shooter activated by Iranian cell: http://debka.com/article/24961/Beersheba-shooter-believed-acted-for-new-Iranian-terror-group-Al-Sabirin
There
were four incidents in the Chevron Hills 1) A stabbing of an army officer: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/202160#.ViYQ2PkrKM8
2) BDE Stone, rock or mini boulder throwing
incident in which a Jew dies: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/202162
3) Car
attack on people at a bus stop, the barrier stopped serious injuries and the
attacker trying to kill with a knife is shot dead.
4)
Soldier stabbed in riots, the attackers are shot dead by fellow soldier: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4713757,00.html
Time to
arrest the rock and firebomb throwers a little cooling off in the cooler: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4713799,00.html
Israel
loses a friend in Harper Canada withdraws from Syria and Iraq. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/202198#.VicAPfkrKM8
From Joe
Goldner talk show host: Canada moves far to the left: http://pamelageller.com/2015/10/left-wing-zealot-justin-trudeau-elected-as-canadas-next-prime-minister.html/
The
question is will these weapons fall in the hands of the bad guys in Syria? http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/With-Obamas-new-plan-for-Syrian-rebels-new-worries-427566
Dropping
the Holocaust from history: http://jewfacts.com/schools-are-dropping-the-holocaust-from-history-lessons-to-avoid-offending-muslim/
Female
terrorist apprehended: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/202204#.VickhPkrKM8
Not in
the news a half kilogram of explosives were dismantled in a kindergarten in Nes
Ziona. Various stone incidents on highways that did not result in injuries or
light injuries.
The child
is around the age of my youngest granddaughter look at this knife and what she
is saying about Jews: http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/5118.htm
Summary
of auto-attacks, stabbing attacks and rowdy Jew shot dead for mistaken ID. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4714267,00.html
Sleeping
beauty just woke up but Psalm the G-D of Israel neither slumbers or sleeps. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/202261#.VihflfkrKM8
New
intelligence warfare on social networks: http://debka.com/article/24964/Israel%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%9CKnock-on-the-Keyboard%E2%80%9D-campaign-spies-on-and-subverts-terrorist-social-networks
Stabbing
attempt at 1PM the terrorist flees as the soldier did not want to wound an
Israeli woman. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4714804,00.html
Have a wonderful, peaceful and healthy Shabbos,
Rachamim Pauli
