Parsha Vayera Part II
Last
week I ran into the deadline for publication before Shabbos. I did want to
allow myself a bit of a Rabbinical Mussar Drasha on Education. It does not
matter if you educate your child in a modern or ultra Orthodox School, they
will receive a basis for love and fear of G-D. I educated my forester child in
the middle of the road Orthodox School and decided that despite his secular
knowledge the best thing for him was a Charedi Yeshiva Katana based on his
study habits.
In Israel, the government runs the education system except in some
Charedi Schools. The children, even non-religious, have some nationalistic
philosophy. It is similar, even in total secular schools, a bit less than the
pledge of allegiance to the flag. However, we cannot forget about having an
army for either a family member is or was in it or a siren goes off to remind
us how fragile our situation is. We are taught our fair share of Heroes. Noah
is not a fighter but is righteous and spends his time trying to save the
animals of this planet and his family. Yacov is a G-D fearing hard worker and
romantic. Heroines are not missing in our education. Sara, Rivka, Rachel, Leah,
Devorah, Chana, Esther, Yehudis etc.
In Torah Judaism, women have a special place. Rivka sees what
Yitzchak can’t and has Yacov get the blessing. She saves Yacov from Esav and
sends her nurse Devorah with him as a servant – guide and stepmother. Yacov
consults with Leah and Rachel regarding his future before leaving Lavan. I
consult a lot with my wife and that is how Judaism operates. Often, I do 180
degrees the opposite of what I thought of doing whether it be educating our
Nephew or purchasing something.
In Gallus things are different. Over the close to seven decades
since I started kindergarten (right after WWII with the Korean War and Cold
War) the US had a draft system and was popular to be a patriot both political
parties. It was we capitalists fighting communism and socialism. However, when
Khrushchev warned, “we will bury you”. We laughed but his plans were long term.
They would take over the education system.
Therefore, what happens, if you send in the USA your child to
public school or College? The free speech that we gave in the 60’s to
communist, socialists and anarchists have led to social boycotts of patriots, free
thinkers and even constructive criticism. See Inyanay Diyoma on the writer of
the Declaration of Independence being cancelled.
We have our children or grandchildren being taught that if they
speak truth, they will be ostracized or completely silenced. There are two
options open in most States to save ones child from indoctrination in sexual
exposure at an early age, critical race theory, black lives matter, BDS etc.
They are religious or home schooling. When I say religious schooling I do not
include certain ultra-liberal congregations and denominations. Going to a
Reform Judaism School might help one achieve leadership in WOKE Culture but not
what I am pushing for.
Getting back to our Parsha we see that was the great mistake of
Lot. He separated from the Torah of Avraham. His elder daughters married
unbecoming men after a horrible education. His wife was poorly influenced by
the culture of Sodom and his younger daughters were exposed to the public
schooling sexual education of Sodom. The results were his personal and family
tragic disaster. This is my warning to my readers to be wary and no matter what
the costs, a Torah Education should be top priority for the sake of future
generations.
… 22:1 And it came to pass after
these things, that God did prove Abraham, and said unto him: 'Abraham'; and he
said: 'Here am I.'
The general rule is that whenever we see Vayehi written, something
bad is about to happen. Avraham is about to be tested after speaking up against
human sacrifice he is ordered to do he opposite with no more and no less his
only son from Sara. Other places where we see Vayehi is at the end of Beresheis
when it comes time for Yacov to die, in Sefer Ruth Vayehi when the Judges
judged and there was a famine, Sefer Esther Vayehi in the days of Achashveros.
Even next week we have the past tense and Sara has already passed away.
2 And He said: 'Take now
thy son, thine only son, whom thou love, even Isaac, and get thee into the land
of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt-offering upon one of the mountains
which I will tell thee of.'
Avraham has two only sons of their mothers and he loves them both
Yishmael and Yitzchak that is why the Pasuk has to say ‘even Isaac’ in the
translation.
3 And Abraham rose early
in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him,
and Isaac his son; and he cleaved the wood for the burnt-offering, and rose up,
and went unto the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day
Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. 5 And Abraham
said unto his young men: 'Abide ye here with the ass, and I and the lad will go
yonder; and we will worship, and come back to you.'
Avraham and Yitzchak look towards Mt. Moriah from the way coming
up towards Yerushalayim probably from Chevron-Beis Lechem to Har Moriah. Both
of them see the clouds of glory of HASHEM and Eliezer and Yishmael do not see
anything more than plain clouds. So just as the donkey does not understand
clouds of glory so both of you should wait with the donkey.
6 And Abraham took the
wood of the burnt-offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took in his
hand the fire and the knife; and they went both of them
together. 7 And Isaac spoke unto Abraham his father, and said: 'My
father.' And he said: 'Here am I, my son.' And he said: 'Behold the fire and
the wood; but where is the lamb for a burnt-offering?' 8 And Abraham
said: 'God will provide Himself the lamb for a burnt-offering, my son.' So they
went both of them together.
Yitzchak believes that the prophecy included getting a lamb or ram
and continues going.
9 And they came to the
place which God had told him of; and Abraham built the altar there, and laid
the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, upon the
wood. 10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to
slay his son. 11 And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of
heaven, and said: 'Abraham, Abraham.' And he said: 'Here am I.'
Avraham bound Yitzchak and he stuck out his neck to be a Korban
and the angel had to call Avraham twice to stop him as he was about to commit
the act. Others say he did slaughter and the Angel and to revive him from the
dead.
12 And he said: 'Lay not
thy hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him; for now I know that
thou art a God-fearing man, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only
son, from Me.'
This is the 10th and last test of Avram-Avraham and he
passed them all.
13 And Abraham lifted up
his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his
horns. And Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a
burnt-offering in the stead of his son. 14 And Abraham called the
name of that place Adonai-jireh; as it is said to this day: 'In the mount where
the LORD is seen.'
The place is called ‘fear of the LRD’.
15 And the angel of the
LORD called unto Abraham a second time out of heaven, 16 and said:
'By Myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, because thou hast done this thing, and
hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, 17 that in blessing I will
bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the
heaven, and as the sand which is upon the seashore; and thy seed shall possess
the gate of his enemies;
And Avraham again receives the blessings.
18 and in thy seed shall
all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast hearkened to My
voice.' 19 So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up
and went together to Beer-sheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beer-sheba.
Now contrary to commentaries that Sara had gone to Chevron on the
way and died, the Pshat is that they all returned to Beer Sheva. She will die
in Chevron a bit later.
20 And
it came to pass after these things, that it was told Abraham, saying: 'Behold,
Milcah, she also hath borne children unto thy brother Nahor: 21 Uz
his first-born, and Buz his brother, and Kemuel the father of
Aram; 22 and Chesed, and Hazo, and Pildash, and Jidlaph, and
Bethuel.' 23 And Bethuel begot Rebekah; these eight did Milcah bear
to Nahor, Abraham's brother.
Uz and
Buz etc. all these names to announce the birth of Rivka for a Shidduch for
Yitzchak.
Parsha Chayei Sara
This week we start of instead of the present Vayehi, we use the
past tense that Sara was at a hundred years old like a 20year old and as pure
as a seven year old.
23:1 And the life
of Sarah was a hundred and seven and twenty years; these were the years of the
life of Sarah. 2 And Sarah died in Kiriatharba--the same is
Hebron--in the land of Canaan; and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep
for her. 3 And Abraham rose up from before his dead, and spoke unto
the children of Heth, saying: 4 'I am a stranger and a sojourner with
you: give me a possession of a burying-place with you, that I may bury my dead
out of my sight.' 5 And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying
unto him: 6 'Hear us, my lord: thou art a mighty prince among us; in
the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead; none of us shall withhold from thee
his sepulchre, but that thou may bury thy dead.' 7 And Abraham rose
up, and bowed down to the people of the land, even to the children of
Heth. 8 And he spoke with them, saying: 'If it be your mind that I
should bury my dead out of my sight, hear me, and entreat for me to Ephron the
son of Zohar, 9 that he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he
has, which is in the end of his field; for the full price let him give it to me
in the midst of you for a possession of a burying-place.'
And Avraham pays an extra high price to show ownership.
20 And
the field, and the cave that is therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a
possession of a burying-place by the children of Heth. 24:1 And Abraham
was old, well stricken in age; and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all
things.
Everything
includes a daughter.
2 And
Abraham said unto his servant, the elder of his house, that ruled over all that
he had: 'Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh. 3 And I will make
thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that thou
shalt not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom
I dwell.
Eliezer was
a slave-Ger from Cush. Cush gave birth to Nimrod and Eliezer was the son and
price of Nimrod but he attached himself to Avraham after he survived the trial
by the oven. Noach cursed Cush and Avraham was blessed. So Avraham could not
take a daughter from Eliezer who was cursed as Yitzchak was blessed.
4 But
thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son,
even for Isaac.'
For one
blessed you must take somebody who also is blessed.
5 And
the servant said unto him: 'Peradventure the woman will not be willing to
follow me unto this land; must I needs bring thy son back unto the land from
whence thou camest?' 6 And Abraham said unto him: 'Beware thou that
thou bring not my son back thither. 7 The LORD, the God of heaven,
who took me from my father's house, and from the land of my nativity, and who
spoke unto me, and who swore unto me, saying: Unto thy seed will I give this
land; He will send His angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife for my son
from thence.
You shall
search in my family.
8 And
if the woman be not willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this
my oath; only thou shalt not bring my son back thither.'
The Perfect
Korban cannot leave Eretz Yisrael but his Shidduch can come to him.
9 And
the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to
him concerning this matter. 10 And the servant took ten camels, of
the camels of his master, and departed; having all goodly things of his
master's in his hand; and he arose, and went to Aram-naharaim, unto the city of
Nahor. 11 And he made the camels to kneel down without the city by
the well of water at the time of evening, the time that women go out to draw
water. 12 And he said: 'O LORD, the God of my master Abraham, send
me, I pray Thee, good speed this day, and show kindness unto my master
Abraham. 13 Behold, I stand by the fountain of water; and the
daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water. 14 So let it
come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say: Let down thy pitcher, I pray
thee, that I may drink; and she shall say: Drink, and I will give thy camels
drink also; let the same be she that Thou hast appointed for Thy servant, even
for Isaac; and thereby shall I know that Thou hast shown kindness unto my
master.'
What would
happen if the maiden did this but was married, a maumzer, lame, blind, deaf, a
prostitute, etc.?
15 And
it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out,
who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's
brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.
We already
had the bad context of Vayehi in our Parsha and it appears to me that when it
becomes a second time, the negative effect does not exist.
16 And
the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her;
and she went down to the fountain, and filled her pitcher, and came up.
The Torah
tells us that she was a virgin but does Eliezer know this? Neither had any man
known her means different acts other than normal martial union.
17 And
the servant ran to meet her, and said: 'Give me to drink, I pray thee, a little
water of thy pitcher.' 18 And she said: 'Drink, my lord'; and she
hastened, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him
drink. 19 And when she had done giving him drink, she said: 'I will
draw for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.'
Why thy
camels too? In the prayer and here? Eliezer knew Avraham for his Chesed and by
giving water to the camels she showed the quality of Chesed that Avraham was
famous for.
20 And
she hastened, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the
well to draw, and drew for all his camels. 21 And the man looked
stedfastly on her; holding his peace, to know whether the LORD had made his
journey prosperous or not. 22 And it came to pass, as the camels had
done drinking, that the man took a golden ring of half a shekel weight, and two
bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold;
Why give out
gold like that? Eliezer lived with miracles around Avraham and believed in
perfect faith that his prayers were answered.
23 and
said: 'Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee. Is there room in thy
father's house for us to lodge in?' 24 And she said unto him: 'I am
the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore unto Nahor.'
She is from
the family of Avraham. What I think is that he asked her this first as there is
no early or late in the Torah and then he gave her the gold as worse comes to
the worse a close relative has received a present from uncle Avraham.
25 She
said moreover unto him: 'We have both straw and provender enough, and room to
lodge in.' 26 And the man bowed his head, and prostrated himself
before the LORD. 27 And he said: 'Blessed be the LORD, the God of my
master Abraham, who hath not forsaken His mercy and His truth toward my master;
as for me, the LORD hath led me in the way to the house of my master's
brethren.'
We have room
for you and the camels.
28 And
the damsel ran, and told her mother's house according to these
words. 29 And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban; and
Laban ran out unto the man, unto the fountain. 30 And it came to
pass, when he saw the ring, and the bracelets upon his sister's hands, and when
he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying: 'Thus spoke the man unto me,'
that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the
fountain. 31 And he said: 'Come in, thou blessed of the LORD;
wherefore stand thou without? for I have cleared the house, and made room for
the camels.'
Lavan wanted
to rob the jewels but HASHEM turned things around. The story from the Midrash
goes that Lavan gave a poisoned portion to Eliezer but Bethuel switched the
plate as it was smaller than his. Knowing how Arabs and others in the Middle
East eat today sitting down with a Pita or Lafa and bowls in the middle which
are either served or scraped with Pita, I see more that it was a help yourself
situation and I tend to put aside the story. Lavan did get gifts but wanted a
lot more.
32 And
the man came into the house, and he ungirded the camels; and he gave straw and
provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men
that were with him. 33 And there was set food before him to eat; but
he said: 'I will not eat, until I have told mine errand.' And he said: 'Speak
on.' 34 And he said: 'I am Abraham's servant. 35 And the
LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great; and He hath given
him flocks and herds, and silver and gold, and men-servants and maid-servants,
and camels and asses. 36 And Sarah my master's wife bore a son to my
master when she was old; and unto him hath he given all that he hath.
Lavan is
thinking of the money, jewelry and other things. Rivka will set for life and as
for her, she will have a husband and home.
37 And
my master made me swear, saying: Thou shalt not take a wife for my son of the
daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell. 38 But thou shalt
go unto my father's house, and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son. 39 And I said unto my master: Peradventure the woman will not
follow me. 40 And he said unto me: The LORD, before
whom I walk, will send His angel with thee, and prosper thy way; and thou shalt
take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my father's house; 41 then shalt thou be clear from my oath, when thou come to my
kindred; and if they give her not to thee, thou shalt be clear from my
oath. 42 And I came this day unto the fountain, and
said: O LORD, the God of my master Abraham, if now Thou do prosper my way which
I go:
If you folks
or Rivka are not interested in this Shidduch please tell me to go to the left
or the right that I might find a proper wife from this place.
43 behold,
I stand by the fountain of water; and let it come to pass, that the maiden that
cometh forth to draw, to whom I shall say: Give me, I pray thee, a little water
from thy pitcher to drink; 44 and she shall say to me:
Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels; … 50 Then
Laban and Bethuel answered and said: 'The thing proceedeth from the LORD; we
cannot speak unto thee bad or good. 51 Behold, Rebekah
is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as
the LORD hath spoken.'
Lavan spoke
before his father. Either he was young and full of Chutzpa or his father was
not at the height of his mental capacity.
52 And
it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, he bowed
himself down to the earth unto the LORD. 53 And the
servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and
gave them to Rebekah; he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious
things. 54 And they did eat and drink, he and the men
that were with him, and tarried all night; and they rose up in the morning, and
he said: 'Send me away unto my master.'
He bestowed
thousands and thousands of the local currency on the family.
55 And
her brother and her mother said: 'Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at
the least ten; after that she shall go.' 56 And he
said unto them: 'Delay me not, seeing the LORD hath prospered my way; send me
away that I may go to my master.'
Lavan had
plans to take everything that was on the camels during the delay but Eliezer
did not want to hear of a delay in fulfilling the Mitzvah of Marriage.
57 And
they said: 'We will call the damsel, and inquire at her mouth.' 58 And they called Rebekah, and said unto her: 'Wilt thou go
with this man?' And she said: 'I will go.'
She wanted a
husband from good stock.
59 And
they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and
his men. 60 And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto
her: 'Our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and let thy
seed possess the gate of those that hate them.' 61 And
Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the
man. And the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.
We will only
know that her nurse Devorah went with her and perhaps other items of value and
clothing from her home.
62 And
Isaac came from the way of Beer-lahai-roi; for he dwelt in the land of the
South. 63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field
at the eventide; and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, there were
camels coming.
The well was
close to Beer Sheva and although it had saved Yishmael’s life was under the
rule of Avraham.
64 And
Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she alighted from the
camel. 65 And she said unto the servant: 'What man is
this that walks in the field to meet us?' And the servant said: 'It is my
master.' And she took her veil, and covered herself.
Although she
contracted to marry, the marriage could not be consummated until she met
Yitzchak and now she would be married so she covered herself like a married
woman.
66 And
the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. 67 And
Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she
became his wife; and he loved her. And Isaac was comforted for his
mother.
According to
Rashi, they were married 130 years, Ibn Ezra has them 119 years married. The
Jewish view of marriage is that they consummated the Shidduch. She was his wife
and he her husband. They became a family and loved each other. Not a fairy tale
but a lasting marriage. Was there the initial infatuation? The answer appears
to be so with the Midrash saying that she was so excited that she fell instead
of alighting from he camel. But then over the course of time a bond was formed.
25:1 And Abraham took another
wife, and her name was Keturah. 2 And she bore him Zimran, and
Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. 3 And Jokshan
begot Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and
Leummim.
After Yitzchak married,
Avraham wanted a companion in his old age. He married a woman perhaps from the
souls he had made. She was much younger but since the aging process was not
like today, he was still capable of fathering children.
4 And the sons of
Midian: Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the
children of Keturah. 5 And Abraham gave all that he had unto
Isaac. 6 But unto the sons of the concubines, that Abraham had,
Abraham gave gifts; and he sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet
lived, eastward, unto the east country.
Midian was on the east side
of the Yarden and Sinai but the rest from Avraham became A-Braham or Brahmans.
7 And these are the days
of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, a hundred threescore and fifteen
years. 8 And Abraham expired, and died in a good old age, an old man,
and full of years; and was gathered to his people. 9 And Isaac and
Ishmael his sons buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron
the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre;
They were half-brothers but
remained in contact with each other.
10 the field which
Abraham purchased of the children of Heth; there was Abraham buried, and Sarah
his wife. 11 And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God
blessed Isaac his son; and Isaac dwelt by Beer-lahai-roi.
Yitzchak took over the area where the miracle occurred that saved
Yishmael’s life and they remained in contact.
12 Now these are the generations of Ishmael,
Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's handmaid, bore unto
Abraham. 13 And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their
names, according to their generations: the first-born of Ishmael, Nebaioth; and
Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam, 14 and Mishma, and Dumah, and
Massa; 15 Hadad, and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedem; 16 these
are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their villages, and by
their encampments; twelve princes according to their nations. 17 And
these are the years of the life of Ishmael, a hundred and thirty and seven
years; and he expired and died; and was gathered unto his
people. 18 And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur that is before
Egypt, as thou goest toward Asshur: over against all his brethren he did
settle.
All this for the honor of Yishmael for he was the son of Avraham.
We also need the daughter of Yishmael for Esav.
The Queen of New York Jewry by Rabbi Yerachmiel Tilles
http://ascentofsafed.com/cgi-bin/ascent.cgi?Name=1246-08
She was a familiar
figure in the alleyways of the Batei Hungarim neighborhood in the Meah Shaarim
section of Jerusalem. An aged widow who lived alone for many years, known for
her righteousness. Every morning she would rise early in order to open the
doors of the Chasidic shul (synagogue) where she would davven (pray)
the dawn morning service from her place in the women's section. She would be
careful to also pray the afternoon and evening services.
Her acts of kindness
were known to all, though her amazing personal story was known to only a few.
Her name
was Devorah-Miriam Queen. She was born in the year 5633 (1873 c.e.) in of
Dvinsk, Latvia She was orphaned from her father as a young child and her mother
was left alone with her small children. The mother's brother-in-law, her late
husband's brother, took them into his house and took care of all their needs.
Devorah Miriam was
brought up in an atmosphere of piety and positive habits. When she grew up she
wanted to marry a Torah scholar. Her uncle though wanted her to marry his son,
so Devorah Miriam's dream stayed hidden and in the year 5654 (1893 c.e.) she
married her cousin.
The years went by.
The couple maintained a religious household, but their childlessness caused
them great worry. After ten years of marriage and disappointments the family
started thinking that maybe Devorah Miriam and her husband should divorce.
After prolonged
deliberations the two decided to present their dilemma for consideration to
the Rogatchover Gaon (genius), Rabbi Yosef Rosen, who was the
chief rabbi of the Chasidic residents of Dvinsk [1] where they lived,
and was considered one of the greatest Torah scholars of the century,
He listened to their
story and replied: "If your question is if you are allowed to
divorce, the answer is yes; but whether you should do so is
not a question for a Rabbi but for a Rebbe."
Devorah Miriam's
family belonged to chasidut Chabad. So from the house of the
Gaon the couple traveled to the town of Lubavitch, to Rabbi Shalom-Dovber
Shneersohn, the Rebbe Rashab. They related their troubles to the
Rebbe's gabbai (attendant). They asked him to arrange a yechidut (private
meeting) for them with the Rebbe. To their regret the gabbai couldn't
help them, as there was already a long line of people requesting audience with
the Rebbe.
The couple's
disappointment and sorrow was obvious on their faces. Moved, the gabbai advised
them to wait next to the Rebbe's door. "When the Rebbe will come out of
his room he will see you and will listen to your trouble."
Indeed, when the
Rebbe left his room he noticed them waiting outside his office and invited them
to enter. Before they even had a change to say a word, the Rebbe said "The
advice you were given to divorce is incorrect. My advice is that you fulfill
the saying of our Sages 'He who changes his place changes his mazal (fortune)
for good and blessing.' Go to America and there you will have children and many
blessings."
They left the
Rebbe's presence in great emotional turmoil and amazement, because of the
Divine Spirit that the Rebbe revealed and because of the unexpected advice he
gave them. America in those days was a spiritual desert, almost without the
availability of a suitable Jewish life.
But, they followed
the instruction of the Rebbe and the next day they started the arrangements for
their immigration. The news of their intended departure spread quickly
throughout Dvinsk, for a trip to America was not a usual thing in those days.
Equipped with the
blessings of the Rogatchover Gaon and the Lubavitcher Rebbe, the husband and
wife set out on their travels. The next year they were in America, trying to
get used to the strange new reality. Both made the decision not to be drawn
after American culture and to keep their Jewish values come what may.
Very soon they
became the mainstays of the establishment of Jewish life and the world of Torah
in New York. Among other things they founded a Talmud Torah (Torah
exclusive elementary school) so that the children would be brought up on Torah
values alone. In time this became the famous yeshiva "Torah
VeDa'as". They also instituted kosher slaughter and other religious
institutions.
Indeed, the blessing
of the Rebbe Rashab was fulfilled. The couple had eight children and all
merited long lives. They lived in Williamsburg in Brooklyn and davened in
the Tzemach Tzedek shul. When for various reasons this shul was
sold, the money was transferred to the Chabad shul in
Jerusalem of the same name.
The couple merited
that their descendants remained Jews faithful to the ways of their ancestors.
Devorah Miriam was
widowed in the year 5687 (1926 c.e.). She remained in the USA until reaching
the age of eighty when she decided to move to Israel. Her firm decision and
strong character eased the difficulties of the change. She went to live in
Jerusalem, the Holy City.
Devorah Miriam
merited great longevity and all the while didn't cease from prayer and acts of
kindness. Once, one of her sons came to visit her, and brought her an expensive
present, an electric refrigerator, something that was a rarity at that time.
When next year he visited her again he was taken aback to find the refrigerator
gone. "I gave it to hachnasat Kala (assistance to a new
bride)," she explained. Her son felt compelled to buy her a new one. But
this time he made a condition: she is not allowed to give it away; the
refrigerator stays in his possession and he is just allowing her to use it!
This amazing woman
passed away in 5744 (1984 c.e.) at the age of 111. Today, her great-grand
child, Rabbi Daniel Cohen, is the highly successful shaliach (emissary)
of Chabad in Hebron[2]. A few years ago Rabbi Cohen initiated the restoration
of Beit Romanov that the Rebbe Rashab had bought and turned it into a
lighthouse of the spreading of Chasidic values. He saw this as a closing of a
circle - the great-grandchild who was born from the blessing of the Rebbe
Rashab merited to renew his asset in the city of our patriarchs, Hebron.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: Translated from
Sichat Hashavua #1577 by C.R. Benami, long-time editorial assistant for
AscentOfSafed.com. Edited and supplemented by R. Yerachmiel Tilles.
Connection - this week's
Torah reading, 1st verse (Gen. 23:1): "The life of Sarah was 127
years…" Rashi: "All the years she was equally good."
Biographical notes:
Rabbi Yosef Rosen, known as the Rogatchover Gaon [of blessed
memory: 5618 - 11 Adar, 5696 (1858 - March 1936 C.E.)], was an unparalleled
genius, whose in-depth understanding of all Talmudic literature left the
greatest of scholars awestruck. He authored tens of thousands of responsa on
the Talmud and Jewish law, of which many have been compiled in the numerous
volumes of Tzafnat Paneach. He served for decades as the chief rabbi of the
chasidic congregations of the Latvian city of Dvinsk (Daugavpils).
Rabbi Sholom-Dovber
Schneersohn [of blessed memory: 20 Cheshvan 5621 - 2 Nissan 5680 (Oct.
1860 - April 1920)], known as the Rebbe Reshab, was the fifth Rebbe
of the Lubavitcher dynasty. He is the author of hundreds of major tracts in the
exposition of Chasidic thought. In 1915, after 102 years of four Chabad rebbes
living in Lubavitch, he transferred the center of the movement to
Roster-on-the-Don.
Footnotes:
1] The chief rabbi of the non-chasidim was also a renowned Torah scholar, Rabbi
Meir Simcha ha-Kohen, the author of Ohr Samayach and Meshech Chochma.
2] https://www.chabadhebron.com/
How Eliza
changed Charles Dickens. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/10/24/how-a-young-girl-stood-up-to-charles-dickens-for-his-treatment-of-jews/
Milestone
James Michael Tyler, 59 ‘Friends’ actor. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315641
Milestone
Mort Sahl, 94, stand-up comedian from Eisenhower to Trump. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315777
Inyanay Diyoma
Six
Charity Org. of the Arabs are terror related. US was updated despite various
accusations and lies. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315561
Bennett
wraps up Russian Trip. https://www.timesofisrael.com/bennett-wraps-up-russia-trip-gets-invite-from-putin-to-visit-again/
Corona
Vaccines for Children soon. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315583
Plane
goes off runway. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315591
Paris –
Dirty Jews Out. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/10/21/dirty-jews-out-residents-of-paris-neighborhood-targeted-with-antisemitic-hate-mail/
Drunken
antisemitic attack in BKLYN. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/10/21/two-men-wanted-for-drunken-antisemitic-attack-in-brooklyn-jews-shouldnt-exist/
Lapid -
Netanyahu is weak. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315576
IDF
confiscates drugs and guns. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315558
Columbia
has 500 soldiers capture most wanted drug lord. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315580
Woman
loses control and drives into clothing store. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315571
Captured
a man who did an assault on Jewish Leader. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/10/21/i-dont-hate-all-jews-only-those-in-palestine-man-convicted-by-austrian-court-for-assault-on-jewish-communal-leader-declares/
Environmental
Group pulls because of Jews. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/10/21/environmental-org-slammed-for-pulling-out-of-dc-voting-rights-rally-over-jewish-groups-presence/
Thomas
Jefferson is cancelled. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315563
Dr.
Martin Sherman on Arab Violence. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315391
There
should not be live ammo on sets. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315570
Shabbos
Project worked in 109 Countries. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315477
Gangland
slaying in Public in Yafo. https://www.timesofisrael.com/police-in-jaffa-gird-for-more-gangland-hits-after-man-shot-dead-at-busy-port/
Syria –
two large missile storage areas hit on the Golan. https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-missiles-said-to-target-syrian-forces-near-golan-heights-border/
Gravestone
of unvaccinated patient blames hospital for death. https://www.timesofisrael.com/gravestone-of-unvaccinated-covid-patient-accuses-hospital-of-murder/
Ex-security
official says MBS once boasted that he wanted to kill the king. https://www.timesofisrael.com/ex-security-official-claims-mbs-once-boasted-he-wanted-to-kill-the-saudi-king/
Alleged
Rapist of Arab Women found dead in cell. https://www.timesofisrael.com/alleged-rapist-found-dead-in-his-prison-cell-in-central-israel/
Fauci’s
cruel experiments on puppies. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315643
Katie
Couric is Jewish! https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315623
30
Billion NIS to improve Arab Areas. 2.5 B to fight crime. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rjlvknq8t
Sudan’s
PM arrested by military. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315639
Left Wing
demanding too much. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315645
Woman pepper
sprays Synagogue goers. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315644
Israel’s
largest hospital joins in US Grant. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/10/24/israels-largest-hospital-joins-scitech-project-to-develop-digital-health-simulation-hub-in-new-jersey/
Progressive
Jewish groups call on Dems to remove support for antisemites. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/10/24/progressive-zionist-org-calls-on-us-lawmakers-to-reject-sunrise-movement-endorsement-after-withdrawal-from-rally-with-jewish-groups/
Reform
Zoom Service bombed with swastikas. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/10/24/synagogue-in-manchester-england-hit-by-antisemitic-zoombombing-disrupting-virtual-prayer-service-with-swastikas/
First
Paratrooper to be reinterned in Israel. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/10/24/israel-to-bury-1st-fallen-idf-paratrooper-73-years-after-death/
Iran
refusing to negotiate. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315678
Iranian
enrichment. https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-expanding-uranium-enrichment-at-natanz-site-says-un-nuclear-watchdog/
IDF
getting ready for Iran Front. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315718
While
Yisrael was commemorating the passing of the Chazon Ish and Rav Shach. Chilean
Newspaper did so for Hermann Goring. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315711
40% of US
Jews fear left antisemitism. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315712
Minister
uses immunity for Yayin Nesek. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315684
Faces
$9,900,000 for antisemitic calls. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315685
Quacks
like a duck but beheads. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315683
2 dead in
Idaho Mall shooting. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315703
Facebook
spreads hate. https://www.timesofisrael.com/facebook-unquestionably-fueling-hate-whistleblower-tells-uk-lawmakers/
Biden
Administration condemns Jewish Settlements. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315770
US
considering visa waver program. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315784
FDA panel
recommends vax for kids. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315784
Planned
law to collect data on airline passengers. https://www.timesofisrael.com/planned-law-will-let-israel-collect-personal-info-on-all-airline-passengers/
Sudan
Normalization takes back burner. https://www.timesofisrael.com/sudan-coup-puts-israel-ties-on-backburner-but-unlikely-to-derail-normalization/
Iranian
gas stations hit by cyberattack. https://www.timesofisrael.com/iranian-gas-stations-hit-by-outage-in-widespread-cyberattack/
Waning
popularity to attack on Nukes. https://www.debka.com/fading-popular-credibility-in-israel-for-potential-air-strike-to-abort-a-nuclear-iran/
Israel
not making use of solar energy. https://www.ynetnews.com/environment/article/hjaxknbuk
Ben Dror
Peace Activists should back tags on terror. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b1krhsmiy
Missionaries
distribute propaganda. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315747
FB Woke
workers censor conservatives. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315729
Criminal
charges not ruled out in Ballwin shooting. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315776
UN Human
‘Rights’ condemn Israel. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315778
Senators
try to block Jeru. Consulate. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315771
Stocks
linked to Trump drop after announcement. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315772
Newburgh
NY censures antisemite. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315765
Netanyahu
should have acknowledged that he lost. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315760
Protesters
to Biden Yerushalayim is not Afghanistan. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315759
9 people
injured in fire. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315781
NY
Vaccine Mandate Protest. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315736
Trial of
murderers of Holocaust Survivor. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/10/26/this-hatred-can-only-be-antisemitism-trial-opens-in-paris-of-two-men-charged-with-brutal-murder-of-holocaust-survivor-mireille-knoll/
3
attackers of Jew in Berlin. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/10/26/three-attackers-in-berlin-beat-man-unconscious-after-he-refuses-to-shout-free-palestine/
Israel is
stopping Iran from taking over Syria. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/10/26/israels-shadow-war-delayed-irans-takeover-of-syria-but-only-for-now/
White
Supremacists attack Jews in Austin Boca Raton.
https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/10/25/austin-jewish-community-stung-by-two-antisemitic-outrages-on-same-day/
Banning
of Kosher Slaughter in the EU. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/10/28/religious-liberties-of-european-jews-under-direct-attack-as-greece-becomes-latest-country-to-outlaw-kosher-slaughter/
European
Countries condemn Israel. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315939
Black Jew
evicted in Maine. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/10/28/investigator-says-maine-homeowners-wrongly-evicted-black-jewish-tenant-after-he-refused-to-remove-mezuzah/
Hamas
sentences 6 to death. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315933
Syrians
sent home from Turkey because they ate bananas. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315934
Miss
Universe comes to Israel grandson of Mandela wants boycott. Former Ms. Iraq
thinks otherwise. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/10/28/former-miss-iraq-to-nelson-mandelas-grandson-how-dare-you-call-for-boycott-of-pageant-in-israel/
Tel Aviv
U. part of the top 5. https://www.algemeiner.com/2021/10/28/global-ranking-puts-tel-aviv-university-5th-for-entrepreneurship-as-only-non-us-institution/
Charedim
in negotiations with Ganz. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315894
Last
Afghan Jew trying to extort money. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315925
UK Jews
targeted by antisemitism. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315899
Large
mosaic in Yericho Castle. https://www.timesofisrael.com/one-of-worlds-largest-mosaics-unveiled-at-jericho-desert-castle/
Intel
launches 12th generation gaming chip designed in Israel. https://www.timesofisrael.com/intel-officially-launches-most-significant-chip-lineup-sired-in-israel/
Police
officer sentenced to rape by deception and fear. https://www.timesofisrael.com/police-officer-sentenced-to-4-5-years-in-prison-for-rape-by-deception/
Israel
IDF moves from EUCOM to CENTCOM. https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-liaison-sets-up-shop-in-us-centcom-offices-solidifying-move/
Bennett
fumbles on the world stage. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sydirle8f
Why no death sentence? https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hjg6mmvut
Bennett-Biden
honeymoon over? https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r1rq5siik
US needs
Israeli permission to open consulate. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315864
Less than
10% of the holy sites accessible to the disabled. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315866
US urges
Iran for good faith. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315856
Shaked in
Recordings about Ganz. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315851
Chief
Rabbis against Kashrus Reform. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315836
Chinese
Hypersonic Weapon very concerning., https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315865
Dr. Fauci
is likened to Mengele. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315850
UK
removes antisemitic painting. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315849
Gaza Div.
completes a large exercise. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315846
UN wants
E. Yerushalayim Juden Rein. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/315835
Dimona
exposed on the net. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sysgpsdit
Budget
passed after giving some money to the Charedim. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hjszohwlf
Outdoor
Covid restrictions removed. https://www.ynetnews.com/health_science/article/s1kyksp8f
Have a wonderful Shabbos Rest in good health,
Rachamim Pauli
