OU Israel Center Torah Tidbits - Parshat Chayei Sara 5784

ISSUE 1539

‫ב"ה‬

UNITED

WE STAND

NOV. 11 2023 ▪ ‫כ״ז מרחשון תשפ"ד‬

‫פרשת חיי שרה‬ PARSHAT CHAYEI SARA SHABBAT MEVARCHIM

OU Israel Rabbinic/Leadership Chizuk Mission

Sedra Summary Rabbi Reuven Tradburks Page 12

Our Dynasty is Our Destiny Rebbetzin Dr. Adina Shmidman Page 48

‫ויקם השדה והמערה אשר־בו לאברהם‬ ‫כ׳‬:‫לאחזת־קבר מאת בני־חת בראשית כ״ג‬ YERUSHALAYIM SHABBAT PARSHAT CHAYEI SARA ZMANIM CANDLES 4:07 PM • HAVDALA 5:21 PM • RABBEINU TAM 6:00 PM OU ISRAEL 02-560-9100

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Table of Contents

Shmuel Torah Tidbits Family 42 Simchat Rabbi Sam Shor 04 Dear Rabbi Avi Berman Celebrating Tzahal a Lack of Emunah? in Our Land 44 IsRabbi Moshe Taragin 08 Strangers Rabbi Moshe Hauer Dynasty is Our Destiny By Aliya Sedra Summary 48 Our Rebbetzin Dr. Adina Shmidman 12 Aliya Rabbi Reuven Tradburks Outcry Esther & the Sleepy Students 50 Sara’s Rabbi Aaron Goldscheider 18 Sarah, Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb Pikuach Nefesh Principles, The God of Heaven and the God of Earth 52 Part II: Public Pikuach Nefesh 22 Rabbi Shmuel Goldin Rabbi Daniel Mann A Life of Faith Terumot and Ma’aserot on the Battlefield 28 Abraham: Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt"l 54 Rabbi Moshe Bloom Crisis Response Initiatives Challenging Situations 32 OU Israel 56 for Challenging Times the Prophets Rabbi Gideon Weitzmann 34 Probing Rabbi Nachman Winkler Shabbat Sparks from People of the South Smart Chesed 58 Sivan Rahav-Meir 36 Rabbi Shalom Rosner The Y-Files Weekly Comic Eternal End 60 Netanel Epstein 38 Rebbetzin Shira Smiles Torah 4 Teens by Teens Take Heed! 62 Rose Schwartz // Ilana Weinberg 40 Rabbi Judah Mischel

HELPFUL REMINDERS Rosh Chodesh Kislev is on Tuesday November 14th

‫ראש חדש כסלו יהיה ביום שלישי הבא עלינו ועל כל ישראל לטובה‬ ‫שבע עשרה דקות ושני חלקים אחרי שבע בבקר‬, ‫מולד חודש כסלו יהיה ביום שני‬

Earliest Kiddush Levana, 3 Days After Molad: 4 Kislev/Thurs.night Nov. 16 7 Days After Molad: 8 Kislev/ Mon. night Nov. 20 Last Opportunity to Say Kiddush Levana until: 15 Kislev/Mon. night Nov. 27

A SHORT VORT BY RABBI CHANOCH YERES

Rav, Beit Knesset Beit Yisrael, Yemin Moshe

)‫יד‬:‫וירץ העבד לקראתה ויאמר הגמאיני נא מעט מים מכדך (כד‬ "And the servant ran to meet her, and said: Give me a drink, I pray, A little water from your pitcher." (24:17) Why did Eliezer "run" to greet Rivka, at this early stage of just seeing her? Rashi quotes the Midrash that Eliezer saw that the waters from the well rose to Rivka. However, if Eliezer really did witness such a great miracle performed for Rivka, why was it necessary for Eliezer to continue to test to see whether she would treat him kindly? The miracle itself should have sufficed the proof of her worthiness. The Admor Rabbi Yechezchel M'Kozmir (1771-1856 Poland) answers that even though Eliezer saw the miracle of the water rising to her, Eliezer knew that deeds and personality traits are much more significant than any mystical hints. Shabbat Shalom 2 TORAH TIDBITS 1539 / CHAYEI SARA

OTHER

CANDLE LIGHTING AND HAVDALA TIMES

Z'MANIM

CHAYEI NOACH SARA CANDLES

Yerushalayim / Maale Adumim Aza Area (Netivot, Sderot et al) Beit Shemesh / RBS Alon Shvut Raanana / Tel Mond / Herzliya / K. Saba

Modiin / Chashmonaim Netanya Be’er Sheva Rehovot Petach Tikva Ginot Shomron Haifa / Zichron Gush Shiloh Tel Aviv / Givat Shmuel Givat Zeev Chevron / Kiryat Arba Ashkelon Yad Binyamin Tzfat / Bikat HaYarden Golan Nahariya/Maalot Afula

4:07 5:26 5:44 4:25 5:45 4:26 5:42 4:23 5:42 4:23 5:42 4:23 5:42 4:23 5:44 4:25 5:43 4:24 5:26 4:07 5:41 4:22 5:31 4:12 5:41 4:22 5:43 4:24 5:46 4:27 5:42 4:23 5:44 4:25 5:43 4:24 5:34 4:15 5:39 4:19 5:41 4:20 5:40 4:21

HAVDALA

5:21 6:38 6:41 5:24 6:39 5:22 6:38 5:21 6:39 5:22 6:39 5:21 6:39 5:21 6:40 5:23 6:39 5:22 6:39 5:22 6:38 5:21 6:38 5:20 6:37 5:20 6:39 5:22 6:38 5:21 6:38 5:22 6:41 5:24 6:39 5:22 6:36 5:18 6:36 5:18 6:38 5:20 6:38 5:19

LECH TOLDOT LECHA CANDLES

4:03 4:21 4:22 4:19 4:19 4:19 4:19 4:21 4:20 4:03 4:18 4:07 4:18 4:20 4:23 4:19 4:21 4:20 4:10 4:15 4:16 4:17

HAVDALA

5:17 5:20 5:18 5:18 5:18 5:18 5:18 5:20 5:19 5:18 5:17 5:17 5:17 5:19 5:17 5:18 5:20 5:19 5:14 5:14 5:16 5:16

Rabbeinu Rabbeinu Tam (Jerusalem) Tam (Jerusalem) - 7:18PM - 6:00 • Shabbat PM • Next Parshat Week Lech- 5:56 LechaPM - 7:XXPM All Times According to MyZmanim (20 mins before Sunset in most Cities; 40 mins in Yerushalyim and Petach Tikva; 30 mins in Tzfat and Haifa) DafYomi: Yomi:Bava Kidushin Daf Kama699 OU Kashrut  NCSY  Jewish Action  JLIC  NJCD / Yachad / Our Way  OU West Coast  OU Press  Synagogue/Community Services  OU Advocacy  OU Israel MITCHEL R. AEDER, PRESIDENT OF THE ORTHODOX UNION Yehuda Neuberger, Chairman of the Board, Orthodox Union | Dr. Josh Penn, OU Kashrus Commission RABBI MOSHE HAUER, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT | RABBI JOSHUA M. JOSEPH, ED.D. EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT & CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, Exec. V.P. Emeritus OU KOSHER: Rabbi Menachem Genack, CEO/Rabbinic Administrator OU Kosher | Rabbi Moshe Elefant, COO/Executive Rabbinic Coordinator ISRAEL: Rabbi Yissachar Dov Krakowski, Rabbinic Administrator | Rabbi Ezra Friedman, The Gustave and Carol Jacobs Center for Kashrut Education/ Deputy Rabbinic Administrator Headquarters: 40 Rector St. 4th floor, New York, NY 10006  212-563-4000  website: www.ou.org

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JERUSALEM Ranges 11 days Wed - Shabbat Oct x8--x18 Nov / x/-24 x Cheshvan MarCheshvan - 5 Kislev Earliest Tallit and Tefillin Sunrise Sof Zman Kriat Shema Magen Avraham Sof Zman Tefila

5:08 x:xx -- 5:16 x:xx 6:01 x:xx -- 6:09 x:xx 8:41 x:xx -- 8:46 x:xx 8:04 x:xx -- 8:09 x:xx 9:35 x:xx-x:xx - 9:39

(According to the Gra and Baal HaTanya)

Chatzot (Halachic Noon) 11:22 x:xx- 11:24 - x:xx Mincha Gedola (Earliest Mincha) 11:52 x:xx- 11:54 - x:xx Plag Mincha 3:37 x:xx -- 3:32 x:xx Sunset (Including 4:49 (Including Elevation) Elevation) x:xx -- 4:43 x:xx

Seymour J. Abrams • Orthodox Union Jerusalem World Center • Avrom Silver Jerusalem College for Adults • Wolinetz Family Shul • Makom BaLev • Birthright • Yachad • NCSY in Israel • JLIC in Israel • Camp Dror • Pearl & Harold M. Jacobs ZULA Outreach Center • The Jack Gindi Oraita Program • OU Israel Kashrut STUART HERSHKOWITZ, PRESIDENT OU ISRAEL Zvi Sand / Yitzchak Fund: Former Presidents, OU Israel | Rabbi Emanuel Quint z”l, Senior Vice President | Prof. Meni Koslowsky, Vice President VAAD MEMBERS: Michael Elman | Yonatan Frankel | Yitzchak Fund | Daniella Hellerstein | Stuart Hershkowitz | Jeremy Lustman | Meir Raskas | Atara Reichel | Zvi Sand | Norman Schmutter | Mark Schneider | Esther Williams RABBI AVI BERMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OU ISRAEL David Katz, CFO, OU Israel | Chaim Pelzner, Director of Programs, OU Israel | Rabbi Sam Shor, Director of Programs, OU Israel Center | Rabbi Sholom Gold zt"l, Dean, Avrom Silver Jerusalem College for Adults 22 Keren HaYesod <> POB 1441 <> Jerusalem 9101032 phone: (02) 560 9100 | fax: (02) 561-7432 email: office@ouisrael.org website: www.ouisrael.org Founders and initial benefactors of the OU Israel Center: George and Ilse Falk a"h Torah Tidbits and many of the projects of OU Israel are assisted by grants from THE JERUSALEM MUNICIPALITY OU Israel, Torah Tidbits does not endorse the political or halachic positions of its editor, columnists or advertisers, nor guarantee the quality of advertised services or products. Nor do we endorse the kashrut of hotels, restaurants, caterers or food products that are advertised in TT (except, of course, those under OU-Israel hashgacha). Any "promises" made in ads are the sole responsibility of the advertisers and not that of OU Israel, the OU Israel Center , Torah Tidbits.

OU ISRAEL CENTER 3

DEAR TORAH TIDBITS FAMILY

RABBI AVI BERMAN Executive Director, OU Israel

One of the most common questions I have been getting for the last four weeks is, “Avi, how can I volunteer?” “How can I help?” “Rabbi Berman, tell us what we can do.” I always tell them that the first response in the Jewish arsenal is prayer. After all, Klal Yisrael depends on Hakadosh Baruch Hu, and first and foremost we must turn to Him and daven our hearts out. We have the most amazing soldiers in the world, but we must rely on Hashem to be successful and come home safely. As part of this effort, the OU has been providing chizuk calls and online Shiurim three times a day, where a person can call in and receive inspiring and encouraging messages from the OU staff, and recite chapters of Tehillim together. However, the reality is that people also want to roll up their sleeves and get to work, to volunteer, to do something. Last week, OU Israel provided such an opportunity for rabbis and lay leaders from twenty one communities all across America. We hosted them on a rabbinic mission to Israel to do, in addition to pray. They came to embrace, give support, and be mechazek, our brothers and sisters who have been injured, lost loved ones, or have had family members kidnapped and taken hostage in Gaza. They were able to see firsthand what is happening here, and when they returned to America, they were able tell their communities what they saw and encourage them to daven more, learn 4 TORAH TIDBITS 1539 / CHAYEI SARA

RABBI AVI BERMAN Executive Director, OU Israel

Torah more, or to help support the volunteer work in Israel. There was one main goal of this mission. And that was to make sure that every rabbi and lay leader who came on the mission would “adopt” at least one family among the families that we met. Whether that was the family of a soldier, a civilian in the hospital who was injured over the last four weeks, a widow whose husband died fighting for Israel, or any other person or family who needs support right now. We wanted these communities to see and show their support. When my friends and colleagues in New York called me to ask about planning such a mission, I told them that I am all in favor of this mission, but on one condition: that the mission does not end when they board the plane back to America. A mission like this must continue so long as chizuk is needed, so long as our brothers and sisters are in pain, and this is exactly what they had in mind. These rabbis and lay leaders cannot just come to feel they’ve given support, and then forget about it two days later. This trip must be the start of a long term mission of care, concern, and support. And so it was. We visited homes, hospitals, an army base. We went to Tel Hashomer, Soroka Medical Center, and Hadassah Har Hatzofim hospitals. We had the opportunity to daven at the Kotel and Maarat Hamachpela. We visited families from Sderot down south, all the way up to Akko

in the north, and throughout Israel, to give support during these difficult times. To say it was emotional is an understatement. We had meetings afterwards with the members of the mission, divided into smaller groups, to talk about what they experienced. To see rabbis shed tears like this… it’s hard to describe. But there was one comment that caught my attention more than anything else. And it was one that repeated itself among the different groups, separately. They would say, “Avi, I feel as if I received more chizuk from them than they did from me.” I heard that sentiment over and over again. What they saw was mesirut nefesh. They gained a deeper understanding that they were part of a greater cause. The passion for the State of Israel. The sense of purpose and mission. The pride of parents for their children for the fact that they helped make history for Israel and helping to bring back security to the Jewish people. Our mission members saw all of this, and it inspired them. It was taken to heart. Many soldiers do not receive the hakarat hatov that they really deserve. I knew we had to visit one particular unit that deals with probably the most unpleasant aspect of the job. And that is the Rabbanut Hatzva’it, which deals with identifying the bodies of the deceased, and preparing them for burial. Since Simchat Torah, they have unfortunately been working non-stop around the clock. I am not exaggerating when I call

these people angels. We met with soldiers that had run around to find and obtain DNA machines, fingerprint database machines, and all the rest, doing everything they possibly can to identify every soldier and every civilian, and bring them to respectful burials. We spoke to them. I couldn’t believe what they had to see, experience. I won’t go into the gory details. But let me just say that they had to see, smell, deal with, the most unpleasant things a person can experience. But when you talk to them, you get a sense far from being bothered by the job, they see it as their zechut. That they know that they have helped yet another family have a Jewish burial. That they have brought clarity to a family that now no longer has to go on

In loving memory of our beloved father and grandfather

JOACHIM WEINDLING z”l May the Torah learning from this issue be ‫לעילוי נשמת‬

‫חיים יצחק בן נפתלי ז”ל‬ on his 17th yahrtzeit - ‫כ חשון‬

Greatly missed by his children and grandchildren Marsha, Melissa, and Becky Pottash Steven and Lizzie Weindling Shoshanah-Ruth, Naftalia Maya, and Yaira Rachel Weindling Nan Abbot and Lee DiTullio OU ISRAEL CENTER 5

not knowing where their child or loved one is. These are absolute angels. They are performing this mesirat nefesh in closed rooms, behind the scenes, without any big ceremonies or parades. So I knew we needed to visit them. We provided a well-deserved BBQ lunch generously donated by a loving brother and sister in North America, a big hug, heartfelt dancing, and we were joined by Rav Shmuel Eliyahu who gave all of us, rabbis, soldiers, and lay leaders, important chizuk. Once again, we were struck by the feeling that, on this mission of giving chizuk, we received a lot more than we were able to give. The members of the mission left late last week, but already sent us their shul flyers dedicating shiurim and other community events to the families they had adopted, and in memory of those lost loved ones of these

In loving memory of my beloved husband of 71 years ‫משה מרדכי הלוי סג”ל ז”ל‬

Martin M. Segal z”l ‫ תשפ”ג‬,‫ כ”ג אלול‬- ‫ תרפ”ו‬,‫ר”ח ניסן‬ March 16, 1926 - Sept. 9, 2023

A wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle ‫ ארץ ישראל‬,‫אהב את עם ישראל‬ ‫ותורת ישראל ובירך את כולם בשמחה‬ Beverly Segal together with the Segal and Kaufman families 6 TORAH TIDBITS 1539 / CHAYEI SARA

families. The mission is not over. It has only just begun. So I encourage all of you to go seek ways to give chizuk. What I suspect you will find, as I did on this mission, is that you will gain much more than you can give. I want to take this opportunity to give tremendous thanks to the leadership of the OU in North America including the four representatives who led the mission Rabbi Yaakov Glaser, Rabbi Adir Posy, Rabbi Yisrael Motzen, and Rabbi Naftali Herrmann. And I want to thank my entire staff who helped tremendously to make this mission possible. Without them, it would not have happened. Unfortunately, the size of my column is limited, and I cannot tell you the endless stories I have from this unbelievable mission. So I invite you, dear reader, to visit the OU Israel Instagram page @theouisrael to view the incredible videos and pictures that Laya Bejell and Nina Broder are publishing there, and see what we are doing to provide and gain chizuk at OU Israel every day. Wishing you all an uplifting and inspiring Shabbat, Rabbi Avi Berman Executive Director, OU Israel aberman@ouisrael.org

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FROM THE DESK OF RABBI MOSHE HAUER OU EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

Strangers in Our Land Much of the world around us has adopted a narrative and perspective that eludes our understanding. This has been deeply disorienting and confusing for us in the context of the existential battle that the Jewish people is engaged in, both in Israel and in a world enflamed with antisemitism. This has been even more difficult than the challenges we have become more accustomed to facing from the main streaming of non-traditional values that have similarly placed the traditional religious community on the defensive, portrayed consistently as archaic and intolerant and as an impediment to the culture that others wish to create. Is this our unique contemporary experience, living as we do in times of rapid and disorienting change? Maharal of Prague (Gevuros Hashem end of ch. 9) thought otherwise, as he considered this a phenomenon basic and endemic to those who wish to live true and elevated lives. He saw this attitude expressed in the words of our daily Amidah: “To the righteous, the pious, the elders of Your people the House of Israel, the remnant of their scholars, the righteous strangers (geirei hatzedek), and to us, may Your compassion be aroused.” To Maharal, the righteous strangers are part of this listing because in fact every 8 TORAH TIDBITS 1539 / CHAYEI SARA

moral and pious person whose primary drivers are the Torah’s eternal moral and spiritual values experiences life in this world as a bit of an outsider. This tension is reflected as well in the dialogue of Avraham with the inhabitants of Chevron (Bereishit 23:4). “I am a stranger and a resident amongst you.” Generations of commentary struggled to understand how one person can characterize himself both as a stranger to and a

In Memory of

MIRYAM VITERBI a”h on her first yahrzeit and her husband

NATAN BEN HORIN z”l

Miryam was a proud descendant of the rabbis of Padua, Italy and was hidden in Assisi during World War II, and Natan was an Israeli war veteran and a diplomat representing the Jewish people at the Vatican in Rome. Both were accomplished in their fields and their extensive research. Remembered and honoured for their devotion and contribution to our people.

‫זכרונם לברכה‬

Our condolences to her nephews Emanuele and Rabbi Benedetto Carucci Viterbi From their neighbours in Yerushalayim Tova & Colin Robinson

resident of the same community. Rav Soloveitchik saw the phrase as reflecting this duality that is the lot of the Jew within society, especially within modern civilization. “Certainly, I am a resident, I am one of you. I engage in business as you do, I speak your language, I take full part in your social-economic institutions. But at the same time, I am a stranger and, in some aspects, a foreigner. I belong to a particular world, one that is completely foreign to you. It is a world in which I am at one with the Creator. It is a world populated by characters unknown to you, with a tradition that you do not understand, with spiritual values that seem impractical in your eyes. It is a world filled with altars and sacrifices, a world of Torah, of lovingkindness, of sanctity and purity.” Avraham was known as the Ivri, the person who was at odds with the entire world, even as he was beloved and impactful in that world. This is a legacy that we, his descendants, carry. As fully integrated, successful, and appreciated as we may become within the worlds of science, business, government, or medicine, we necessarily maintain our core value system that leaves us independent and apart, and often feeling foreign. We feel that due to our unique values, and we feel that deeply due to our identity as Jews. We hope and pray for a time when those around us will look to us as Avraham’s contemporaries looked to him. Nesi Elokim atah b’tocheinu. “You are a Prince of G-d in our midst.” “Avraham, we see you as neither a resident nor a stranger. You are amongst us but above us, distinguished by the nobility of your faith, your spirit, and your values.”

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ALIYA-BY-ALIYA SEDRA SUMMARY RABBI REUVEN TRADBURKS RCA ISRAEL REGION

PARSHAT CHAYEI SARA Our parsha is the transition from Avraham and Sara to Yitzchak and Rivka; Sara dies at the beginning of the parsha, Avraham toward the end. Avraham buys Ma’arat Hamachpela where Sara is buried. Avraham directs his servant to travel to Avraham’s land to bring a wife for Yitzchak. Upon arrival, the servant asks G-d to show him the right one, the one who will give drink to him and his animals. Rivka appears, does what he had hoped. He tells the story to her family. They agree that she is the one. Yitzchak greets them on their arrival and marries Rivka. Avraham’s other children are listed. Avraham dies. Yishmael’s descendants are listed.

1ST ALIYA (23:1-16) Sara dies at age 127 in Kiryat Arba, Chevron. Avraham needs to buy a burial plot. He is treated with nobility and respect. The people want to give him a plot, while he insists on purchasing it. He is successful in buying Ma’arat Hamachpela. Avraham has clearly earned the respect and admiration of the people. He in turn treats them with great respect, bowing twice. The promises made to Avraham, of fame, of fortune and of family, have all been fulfilled. Yitzchak has been born; Avraham is a man of great prominence; the people call him a prince of G-d. And he is wealthy. But. The promise that he would 12 TORAH TIDBITS 1539 / CHAYEI SARA

have the Land of Israel? He does not even own a burial plot. Fame, fortune and family, yes; foothold in the Land, no.

2ND ALIYA (23:17-24:9) Sara is buried. Avraham requests from his chief of staff to swear to not have Yitzchak marry a Canaanite. Rather, “go to my land, my birthplace” to find a wife for Yitzchak. Do not take Yitzchak there. If she refuses to come, you have done all you can. Yes, Avraham addresses his chief of staff. While we commonly refer to him as Eliezer, his name does not appear in this story. He is not the only anonymous person to profoundly influence the story of the Jewish people. He takes his place alongside the man Joseph will encounter on his way to see his brothers, who steers Joseph in their direction. Both nameless. As if to say: is he finding a wife, or is He finding the wife for Yitzchak? Many messengers has He. And why is Avraham so insistent on sending his servant to “my land, my birthplace”? You cannot help but hear an echo from Lech Lecha – “from your land, from your birthplace” – said to Avraham. It could be that Avraham is seeking a woman to lead the new generation of the Jewish people who will walk in his footsteps. Literally. He is seeking a woman who will walk in the footsteps of Sara. Sara, not just Avraham, left her land, her birthplace, her family home, journeying to the Land of Israel. This new generation will be led by a

and our next step will be to plant a fruit woman who too leaves her land, her birthtree. I never thought of myself as being the place and her parent’s home. agricultural type, but the feeling of settling Following in the footsteps will animate and planting a portion of Eretz Yisrael, has Yitzchak and Rivka’s life. Yitzchak will do been truly euphoric. Iy”H, when we plant many of the things that Avraham did – digour tree, and eat the fruits that will grow ging the wells, going to Gerar. Rivka will one day, I think we will be able to truly walk in the footsteps of Sara; Sara sent Yishappreciate that unique Kedusha found in mael away, Rivka will in effect cause Esav to the fruit of Eretz Yisrael! be sent away from the Jewish people.

ALIYA To conclude,3RD when you(24:10-26) buy your Tu B'shvat in fruit this year,The don’t servant search forarrives those dried Nachor’s city. imported He asks from G-d apricots and banana chips for a sign; the woman mefresh and Turkey. Rather, head who over gives to the my camels to buy drink, she issome the one. produce and yourself niceRivka juicy appears and does justoranges that. She tellsthank him Kedusha-filled Jaffa and she is from the family of Nachor. And there Hashem for bringing you to this land in is foodto for camels and‫ולשבע‬ room‫מפריה‬ for him to, ‫לאכול‬ order bethe able to ‫מטובה‬ stay. The man bows to G-d. imbibing that Kedusha in every bite that Rivka is not only going to walk in Sara’s you take!! footsteps, leaving her home to go to the Land of Israel. She also follows in the footsteps of kindness. In the story of Avraham and Sara’s generosity to the 3 men at the beginning of Vayera, there are 2 “ratz – run” and 2 “maher – fast”; they served their guests enthusiastically. Rivka has 2 maher’s and 1 ratz here and then another when she runs home. And – Avraham offered his guests “a little water”. Here too the servant asks for “a little water”. Not sure that drawing water for 10 camels would be called a little – but nary a peep of objection from Rivka. She is an enthusiastic and magnanimous woman of generosity, just like the family of Avraham. 4TH ALIYA (24:27-52) Rivka runs to tell her mother. Her brother Lavan greets the man, welcomes him in. But before he eats, the man insists on relating what just happened.

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He relates that he is Avraham’s servant. And that Avraham has been blessed. And is insistent on bringing a wife for Yitzchak from his family. And of his own deal with G-d: that if the woman did as he had said, he would see it as a sign. And his bowing to G-d. He finishes by asking them if Rivka shall join him. They respond yes; he bows to G-d. Happy endings are fun to read once. Or twice. The commentaries address the detail with which the Torah repeats the story, this time told by the servant. They mine the story for lessons. But one lesson that jumps out is the G-d talk. There is a lot of G-d talk by this servant. But not just the servant; Lavan and Betuel respond “this has come from G-d”, “she will go as G-d spoke”. Talk of G-d does not seem foreign to them. Perhaps this is the lingering effect of Avraham’s influence; even after all these years of being away from his family, the influence of his belief in G-d still persists. And the servant, the chief of staff’s language is deeply religious language – he certainly has been profoundly influenced by Avraham’s calling in the name of G-d.

5TH ALIYA (24:53-67) The servant is ready to leave. When Rivka’s mother and brother ask for a little more time, the servant presses them. They ask Rivka her wish; she will go. They bless her. Upon their arrival in the Negev, Yitzchak is coming from Beer L’chai Roi. He sees the camels; she sees him. Yitzchak is told of all that occurred. Yitzchak and Rivka marry. With the mission to find a wife for Yitzchak successful, someone is missing from this return: Avraham. They travel right to Yitzchak. 14 TORAH TIDBITS 1539 / CHAYEI SARA

Rivka and he marry. And Avraham is not heard from again. A true passing of the baton. Why is it necessary to tell us Yitzchak was in Beer L’chai Roi? In fact, he returns there and resides there after Avraham’s death. Why? That is the place where Yishmael was saved from near death after being banished by Sara. Perhaps Yitzchak regrets Yishmael’s banishment and seeks to make peace with his brother. We will see that he does the same later with his own sons; he seems to want both Yaakov and Esav to continue his legacy. The men seem to want reconciliation; the women see the need to be definitive. Sara banishes Yishmael. Rivka banishes Esav. Yet, Avraham is reluctant to send Yishmael away and Yitzchak seeks reconciliation with Yishmael and seeks to bless Esav. The women prevail. The Torah sides with the women; Yitzchak and not Yishmael, Yaakov and not Esav are the forefathers, the bearers of the legacy of Avraham.

6TH ALIYA (25:1-11) Avraham marries Keturah; they have 6 sons. All that Avraham has he gives to Yitzchak; these are sent eastward with gifts. Avraham dies at age 175; he is buried by Yitzchak and Yishmael in Ma’arat Hamachpela. Yitzchak is blessed by G-d: he lives in Beer L’chai Roi. The transition from Avraham to Yitzchak is complete. While G-d has been a silent partner in this parsha, here He completes the generational transfer – He blesses Yitzchak. The Jewish people will be Yitzchak and not Yishmael.

7TH ALIYA (25:12-18) The generations of Yishmael are enumerated. Yishmael dies. His

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Sarah, Esther, and the Sleepy Students Jews live their lives within the framework of the Jewish calendar. At this time of year, we identify strongly with the narratives contained in the weekly Torah portions that we read in the synagogue. Our thoughts are with the biblical characters of the current parshiyot. We live in the company of Abraham and Sarah, Lot, Hagar and Ishmael, and Isaac and Rebecca. If we are not thinking of the heroes and villains of the parsha of the week, we have an alternative. We can turn our thoughts to the recent holidays or to the ones which we shall soon celebrate. The holiday of Succoth is now part of the rapidly fading past, so we might be thinking of Chanukah, which is but a few weeks away. We are certainly not yet thinking of Purim. The list of biblical heroines whose stories delight our children and inspire us at this time of year does not yet include Queen Esther. In this week’s Torah portion, Parshat Chayei Sarah (Genesis 23:1-25:18), we do encounter two queenly women. We mourn the death of the matriarch Sarah, and we admire Rebecca’s ability to live up to the spiritual standards of the mother-in-law she never met. But Esther? There is neither trace nor hint of her existence. So why would I be writing about Esther at 18 TORAH TIDBITS 1539 / CHAYEI SARA

this time of year? Purim is still many months away, and there are other female role models in the current Torah portions. Even Chanukah, which occurs much sooner than Purim, features feminine heroines such as Yehudit. Where does Esther shine in? For the answer let us turn to the Midrash and to that singular sage, Rabbi Akiva. We know that Rabbi Akiva lived a remarkable life, underwent many changes, became a preeminent Torah scholar, and died a martyr. The Midrash introduces us to Rabbi Akiva in reference to the very first verse in this week’s Torah portion. It is a verse which seems to require no exegesis. The verse simply says, “Sarah’s lifetime—the span of Sarah’s life— came to one hundred and twenty-seven years.” What further explanation or commentary is necessary? She lived a long and productive life. What more is there to say? To answer this question, we must remember that Rabbi Akiva was, first and foremost, a teacher. Like every teacher, he had a difficult task. Some students paid attention to Rabbi Akiva’s lectures some of the time, but few, if any, listened attentively to every lecture. Like every teacher before and since, Rabbi Akiva had to devise methods to gain the attention of his disciples.

And so, the Midrash takes us into Rabbi Akiva’s classroom. We really should consider this quite a privilege, for there are very few opportunities given in rabbinic literature to actually enter the classroom of one of our sages, let alone a sage as prominent as Rabbi Akiva. Here is the Midrashic passage: “Rabbi Akiva was sitting and expounding Torah. His audience fell asleep. He tried to awaken them, and said, ‘What motivated Queen Esther to reign over one hundred and twenty and seven provinces? We must assume that Esther, as a descendant of Sarah who lived for one hundred and twenty and seven years, considered it proper to reign over one hundred and twenty and seven provinces.’” (Bereshit Rabbah 58:3) What are we to learn from this cryptic passage? To those of us who are teachers, there is a measure of comfort to be derived from learning that Rabbi Akiva too had difficulty maintaining the attention of his students. We also learn that his students were fully aware of the role that the number 127 plays both in the book of Genesis and in the book of Esther. We can assume that there is something about Rabbi Akiva’s mention of this coincidence that awakened the sleepy classroom. But surely there is a much more profound lesson to be learned here. Many commentators have searched for this deeper meaning. They point out that Sarah’s life was a very full one, and at every stage she displayed the vigor of the seven-year-old child, the idealism of the twenty-year-old, and the wisdom of the aged centenarian. No moment went to waste. She led an active life, overcame numerous frustrations and obstacles, and prevailed. Her life was the paradigm of a life of meaning and accomplishment. If there is a lesson to be learned from her life,

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it is that every year is valuable, and so is every month and every week and every day and every hour. If we are to translate 127 years into 127 provinces, then each year is an entire province, each month a region, each week a city, each day a neighborhood, each hour a street, each minute a building, and every second an entire room. If one allows himself a second of slumber, he forfeits a room. If one sleeps for a week, he loses an entire city. Every segment of time represents a significant opportunity, and with every wasted moment opportunities are lost. This is Rabbi Akiva’s lesson to his sleepy students. “You’re not merely dozing off and enjoying idle daydreams. You are wasting time, killing time, and in the process losing opportunities which will not present themselves again. If you miss a moment of a Torah lecture, you create a void that can never again be filled.” Rabbi Akiva’s lesson is a lesson to all of us. In OU ISRAEL CENTER 19

number is 157,600. The total count of the contemporary terms, it is a lesson about time army age men is 603,550 without the tribe management. Time is a gift, but it is an ephemof Levi. eral gift. A moment lost can never be retrieved. The people travel and camp with the But Rabbi Akiva insists that this is not his lesMishkan in their midst. Physically and son, but Sarah’s lesson. It is the legacy that she metaphorically. We travel our history with left for her descendants. Queen Esther grasped G-d in our midst. While the distinct feelthat legacy. She did not assume the role of a ing you get in the detailed description of passive queen, but actively reigned over all where each tribe encamped is the feeling of her 127 provinces. She studied their needs, of an army encampment, there is another recognized their individual differences, and layer of meaning. Yes, regimented. Specific. helped each of them best utilize their unique Detailed. Organized. But an army for which resources. As Grandmother Sarah valued each purpose? To fight the anticipated foes in and every one of her years, so too did Esther the Land of Israel? Or to be the army of value every one of her many provinces. Hashem? A fighting army with its G-d in So must we all learn to utilize all of our its midst? Or both? blessings to the fullest, whether they be 4th aliya (3:1-13) Aharon’s the blessing of longevity or the blessing of sons’ names were Nadav, political power, the blessing of wealth or the Avihu, Elazar and Itamar. blessing of grandchildren. Living a full life Nadav and Avihu died without children. means appreciating all of our blessings and Elazar and Itamar serve as Kohanim with making the most of them. Aharon. Take the Leviim: they are to serve What wonderful teachers we have had, Aharon. The Leviim are responsible for the and how differently and creatively they Mishkan: to support the Kohanim and the taught us these lessons. Sarah taught them in people, to facilitate the running of the Mishthe context of the family tent. Esther taught kan. The Leviim shall take the place of the them from her royal palace. Rabbi Akiva first-born, who became obligated to me taught them from his classroom lectern. when saved in Egypt. Whatever our place in life, following their There are 2 groups mentioned here: lessons will lead to a life of meaning and purKohanim and Leviim. The lineage of the pose, the kind of life for which we all strive. Kohanim is given. It just doesn’t take much Thus, although this week’s Torah portion carroom. Because Aharon is a Kohen and his ries Sarah’s name in its very title, she would be sons. But he only has 2. So the entire linthe first to make room for her progeny, Esther, to eage of the Kohanim is 3 people. The Leviim, join her in teaching her lesson to us. Esther too on the other hand, are an entire tribe, has a place in Parshas Chayei Sarah.

Every person who was not born in Israel and lives in the Holy Land should celebrate his/her ALIYANNIVERSARY annually! REMEMBER! WITH ALIYAH BLESSINGS! The NEAMANS 20 TIDBITS 1539 / CHAYEI SARA 14 TORAH TORAH TIDBITS 1516 / BAMIDBAR

descendants of Levi, son of Yaakov. Their lineage, at quite some length, is given in the 1221 next aliya. Real Life Rescues Jewish EMT Reunites With Muslim Bedouin Father 5th aliya (3:14-39) Count the and Son He Rescued Following October EMT Saves7th BabyHamas from Attack That Killed Theof Man’s Wife tribe Levi by Allergic households, Severe Reaction On Wednesday, United HatzalahFollowing volunteerFirst EMT Ariel Taste of Tahini month and older: the On a recent and Tuesdayson morning in Jerusalem, parents Pachima paid from a visit to1a Muslim father whom were feeding their 6-month-old baby and introduced he rescued andof treated on the 7th ofto October, following him tahini for the first time. Within minutes, the households Gershon, Kehat and Merari, developed a severe allergic reaction. The the attack by Hamas terrorists thatbaby claimed life of the infant's parentsthe immediately called emergency the sons Levi. with Themore sons of1,400 Gershon, services, seeking urgent help. Kehat man’s wifeoftogether than other Israelis. United Hatzalah volunteer EMT Shalom Klein, EarlyMerari on the morning October 7th, Hamed and through Fatima, alerted to the emergency his proximity alert and areoflisted. Gershon’s family, sprang into action as the first responder on residents of the Bedouin town ofsystem, Arara BaNegev were the scene. Arriving promptly, Shalom was confronted from a month and above, is 7,500. They with a distressing sight a baby boy with swollen lips driving to Mivtachim, a town close to the Gaza border, and tongue, struggling to breathe, and covered in a where Hamed works in a greenhouse growing tomatoes. worrisome rash. camp to the west of the Mishkan. Theiras task the symptoms indicative of an They had brought along with themRecognizing their young boy in the anaphylactic shock, the volunteer knew immediate was and be responsible for the intervention was intersection, crucial. Without hesitation, he backto oftransport the car. As Hamed stopped the car at an administered a life-saving EpiPen injection, delivering Hamas terrorists motorcycles who had infiltrated Israeli the severe a dose of epinephrine to counteract curtains andon coverings. Kehat numbered reaction. The powerful medication quickly territory, opened fire on Hamed andallergic Fatima’s car. Hamed's took effect, and the infant's breathing became less labored. The swelling in and the lipstheir and tongue began to 8,600, to the south. They were wife wascamping killed almost immediately, while Hamed subside, providing much-needed relief to the child. infant son sustained injuries from shrapnel. As the symptoms continued to recede, the EMT responsible for the vessels: Aron, Menorah, monitored his condition while awaiting Hamed managed to exit the car and sought refuge with the arrival of a mobile intensive care ambulance. Several minutes later, the ambulance teamAt arrived and transported Table, 6,200, his child,altars. remainingMerari in hiding fornumbered several hours. one the infant to the nearest hospital for further point he and his son were caught treatment in a crossfire between and observation. camping to the north. Responsible for the on the incident, Shalom emphasized the Hamas terrorists and IDF soldiersReflecting and he thought they importance of having an EpiPen readily available. were going of to the die. After the soldiers "It's athe greateliminated thing structure Mishkan; walls, the supI had an EpiPen in terrorists they found Hamed hiding and kit," were my medical he about to ports The total ofEpiPen tribe stated. "An shootand him asbeams. they thought that he too was athe terrorist. The of can save a person's life within minutes company commander, noticing the child, and Hamed Levi is 22,000. On the front side, the east of and is a huge help speaking some Hebrew, told theforsoldiers both EMTs not and to shoot patients." the Mishkan, Moshe and Aharon and famas he was Israeli. “I saw my death right in front of me untilcamped. the commander said I was Israeli,” Hamed told Ariel ilies during the meetup. Thethe encampment around After soldiers left, Hamed decided tothe leaveMishkan the area with2alayers. car he found andLeviim drove to the Ofakimin intersection had The were close, on nearby, that is where he crossed paths with Ariel who 3 of 4 sides the The wasthe serving as an of EMT on Mishkan. an ambulance. Ariel4th wasside, on a makeshift team that consisted of only him the leadingresponse side, had Moshe and Aharon. and the ambulance driver, whom he didn’t even know. The entire 12intribes were farther “When I arrived the south to help I was toldremoved to simply ambulance and go help people. The driver onget allon4the sides. and I didn’t even have enough time to get to know one The 3 we sons Levi werewhoever familywegroups; another, just of went and helped could, and we found Hamed and his son. Gershon, Kehat and Merari. They had full Hamed had sustained shrapnel injuries to his back, andMishkan. the responsibility for the Their tasks boy had shrapnel injuries to his fell in categories. Gershon; textiles. Kehat; shoulder and upper torso. Both were bleeding. Ariel cleaned and furniture. Merari; building. Gershon took bandaged the wounds, while the care of the curtains and coverings. Kehat, driver drove as fast as he could to Soroka Hospital, knowing that they the important main vessels of the Mishkan. would need to come back and And theothers. structure of the building. treatMerari and transport Following this6th encounter, Pachima lostCount contact all with aliya (3:40-51) the Hamed. Ariel, who works at a cement factory in Beer firstbornbyofa the age of a month Sheva was approached fellow employee who lives in Arara and BaNegev and is Hamed’s neighborare who to above. The Leviim reconnected the two. replace the firstborn. There were 273 more

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The God of Heaven Is This Anyand Waythe to God of Earth Introduce a Hero?

Sometimes a Torah thought that you learned years ago acquires new and urgent significance, as the world around you shifts. Rashi notes that when Avraham instructs Eliezer to find a wife for Yitzchak, he refers the month Nissandifference… upon us, we toWith God twice… with aofstriking Speaking of story the God whonation’s launched Avrareturn to the of our birth, as ham’s own life the Patriarch states: Moshe rises tomission, leadership and the exodus “HaShem, God of Heaven who took me again unfolds. from the house of introduction my father andinfrom the Moshe’s yearly the text, land of my birth …” however, is cause for pause. For some reaYet,the when Avraham to God the in “real son, Torah choosesrefers to introduce birth time,” at the point when he is speaking to of the greatest leader we have ever knownEliezer, he states: “and I will have you swear by in the most innocuous way possible. Hashem, God of Heaven and God of Earth….” “And a man went from the House of Levi Why the remarkable difference? asks Rashi. and he took a daughter of Levi. And the Why does Avrahamand describe the woman conceived gave Hashem birth to aasson.” God of Heaven when recounting the instrucQuestions abound: tion of Lech Lecha; yet speak Him its “now” Why does the Torah departoffrom usuas the God of Heaven and the God of Earth? al mode of describing an individual’s birth? Answers Avraham superfluous effectively What doesRashi… the seemingly makes an astounding claim indicate? concerning his phrase “and a man went…” own life work: Why does the Torah omit any mention of When I was commanded to embark upon Moshe’s lineage- to the point where even the my initial journey, Hashem was only the names of his parents are deliberately omitted? God of Heaven. His name was not known Above all, is this any way to introduce here on Earth. a hero? Now, however, that I have made HaShCompounding these questions is the fact em’s name known through my words and that the omitted information concerning my actions, I can confidently say that he is Moshe’s lineage is ultimately included in the 22 TORAH TIDBITS 1539 / CHAYEI SARA 16 TORAH TIDBITS 1509 / VAYAKHEL - PEKUDEI 5783

Parsha that follows (why the information is given at that particular point is the subject of another article). If the information concerning Moshe’s lineage is eventually shared, whyofisEarth. it left out in the God of Heaven and the God the In first one place? dramatic stroke, Avraham identiNumerous commentaries fies, not only his own mission,address but the the mis-issuesof before us… sion his descendants throughout time. theduty realm pshat, the WeWorking are taskedwithin with the to beofmikadeish Ibn Ezra suggeststothat, at theGod’s time name, of Moshe’s shem shamayim, sanctify to birth,God the into Israelites lived through in manyour cities bring this world; ful-in Egypt. of Through fillment His will.the phrase, “And a man Today,the this sanctified task is shaped went,” Torah is simply informing usby that heartbreak, struggle, Amram “went” fromand onesacrifice… Egyptian city to anFor, as we fight to gain security on this other in order to marry Yocheved. strip of landthe that our intends nation’sto home; our Perhaps IbnisEzra emphasize struggle is one of global dimensions… that Yosef’s plan for his family’s descent into This is a war between anddown. darkness; Egypt has, by this point,light broken Origbetween the sanctification of life and the celinally meant to remain separate from the ebration of in destruction and death; the between Egyptians the land of Goshen, Israelthe of good andinto the their powersurroundings. of Amalek; itesforce are assimilating between those who strive to takes bring issue God into the The Ramban, however, with the world and those who wouldarguing deny Him entry. Ibn Ezra’s interpretation, that the ToAll would eyes are upon Amazingly, weusfind rah have no us. reason to inform conourselves once again at the vanguard, at the cerning a journey taken by Amram from one spear-point, of a conflagration that will affect city to another. theInstead, future ofmaintains humanity. the Ramban, the verb The cost is, so, is dear! Butused God’sin presence lalachet, “tooh go,” often the text in this world depends upon our victory… when a new and difficult step is about to This is a war that we must, and with be taken. By stating, Veyeilech ish, “And a HaShem’s help will, win. man went,” the Torah underscores AmRabbi Goldin iswillingness the author of the ram’s courageous to marry in OU Press volumes "Unlocking the Torah Text," spite of Pharaoh’s harsh decrees. and "Unlocking the Haggada." The Ramban’s approach connects to a

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5th of the 54 sedras; 5th of 12 in Bereshit. Written on 171 lines in a Torah, rank 37. 4 Parshiyot; 3 open, 1 closed. 105 pesukim - ranks 32 (11 in Bereshit). 1402 words - ranks 37th (11 in Bereshit). 5314 letters - ranks 36th (11 in Bereshit).

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COVENANT & CONVERSATION THOUGHTS ON THE WEEKLY PARSHA RABBI LORD JONATHAN SACKS ZT"L

FORMER CHIEF RABBI OF THE UNITED HEBREW CONGREGATIONS OF THE COMMONWEALTH

May the learning of these Divrei Torah be ‫לעילוי נשמת‬ HaRav Ya'akov Zvi ben David Arieh zt"l

‫לעילוי נשמות‬ ‫פנחס בן יעקב אשר וגולדה בת ישראל דוד אייז ע״ה ועזריאל בן אריה לייב ומעניה בת יצחק שרטר ע״ה‬

Abraham: A Life of Faith Abraham, the Sages were convinced, was a greater religious hero than Noah. We hear this in the famous dispute among the Sages about the phrase that Noah was “perfect in his generations,” meaning relative to his generations: “In his generations” – Some of our Sages interpret this favourably: if he had lived in a generation of righteous people, he would have been even more righteous. Others interpret it derogatorily: In comparison with his generation he was righteous, but if he had lived in Abraham’s generation, he would not have been considered of any importance. Rashi on Genesis 6:9:2 Some thought that if Noah had lived in the time of Abraham he would have been inspired by his example to yet greater heights; others that he would have stayed the same, and thus been insignificant when compared to Abraham. But neither side doubted that Abraham was the greater. Similarly, the Sages contrasted the phrase, “Noah walked with God,” with the fact that Abraham walked before God. “Noah walked with God” – But concerning Abraham, Scripture says in Genesis 24:40: 28 TORAH TIDBITS 1539 / CHAYEI SARA

“[The Lord] before Whom I walked.” Noah required [God’s] support to uphold him [in righteousness], but Abraham strengthened himself and walked in his righteousness by himself. Rashi on Genesis 6:9 Yet what evidence do we have in the text itself that Abraham was greater than Noah? To be sure, Abraham argued with God in protest against the destruction of the cities of the plain, while Noah merely accepted God’s verdict about the Flood. Yet God invited Abraham’s protest. Immediately beforehand the text says: Then the Lord said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what He has promised him.’ Genesis 18:17-19 This is an almost explicit invitation to challenge the verdict. God delivered no such summons to Noah. So Noah’s failure

to protest should not be held against him. If anything, the Torah seems to speak more highly of Noah than of Abraham. We are told: Noah found favour in the eyes of the Lord. Genesis 6:6 Twice Noah is described as a righteous man, a tzaddik: 1. “Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God” (Genesis 6:9). 2. “The Lord then said to Noah, ‘Go into the Ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation’” (Genesis 7:1). No one else in the whole of Tanach is called righteous. How then was Abraham greater than Noah? One answer, and a profound one, is suggested in the way the two men responded to tragedy and grief. After the Flood, we read this about Noah: Noah began to be a man of the soil, and he planted a vineyard. He drank some of the wine, making himself drunk, and uncovered himself in the tent. Genesis 9:20-21 This is an extraordinary decline. The “righteous man” has become a “man of the soil.” The man who was looked to “bring us comfort” (Genesis 5:29) now seeks comfort in wine. What has happened? The answer, surely, is that Noah was indeed a righteous man, but one who had seen a world destroyed. We gain the impression of a man paralysed with grief, seeking oblivion. Like Lot’s wife who turned back to look on the destruction, Noah finds he cannot carry on. He is desolated, grief-stricken. His heart is broken. The weight of the past prevents him from turning toward the future.

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Now think of Abraham at the beginning of this week’s parsha. He had just been through the greatest trial of his life. He had been asked by God to sacrifice the son he had spent so many years waiting for. He had been asked to face sacrificing and losing the most precious thing in his whole life. It’s hard to imagine his state of mind as the trial unfolded. Then just as he was about to lift the knife the call came from Heaven saying ‘Stop’, and the story seemed to have a happy ending after all. But there was a terrible twist in store. Just as Abraham was returning, relieved his son’s life spared, he discovered that the trial had a victim after all. Immediately after it, at the beginning of this week’s parsha, we read of the death of Sarah. And the Sages suggested that the two events were simultaneous. As Rashi explains: “The account of Sarah’s demise was juxtaposed to the Binding of Isaac because as a result of the news of the ‘Binding,’ that her son was prepared for slaughter, and was almost slaughtered, her soul flew out of her, and she died.” We’d say today she had a heart attack from the news. Now try and put yourself in the situation of Abraham. He has almost sacrificed his child and now as an indirect result of the trial itself, the news has killed his wife of many years, the woman who stayed with him through all his travels and travails, who twice saved his life, who in joy gave birth to Isaac in her old age. Had Abraham grieved for the rest of his days, we would surely have understood, just as we understand Noah’s grief. Instead we read the following: And Sarah died in Kiryat Arba, that is 30 TORAH TIDBITS 1539 / CHAYEI SARA

Hebron in the land of Canaan, and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her, and Abraham rose up from before his dead. Abraham mourns and weeps, and then rises up and does two things to secure the Jewish future, two acts whose effects we feel to this day. He buys the first plot in the Land of Israel, a field in the Cave of Machpelah. And then he secures a wife his son Isaac, so that there will be Jewish grandchildren, Jewish continuity. Noah grieves and is overwhelmed by his loss. Abraham grieves knowing what he has lost. But then he rises up and builds the Jewish future. There is a limit to grief. This is what Abraham knows and Noah does not. Abraham bestowed this singular gift on his descendants. The Jewish people suffered tragedies that would have devastated other nations beyond any hope of recovery. The destruction of the First Temple and the Babylonian exile. The destruction of the Second Temple and the end of Jewish sovereignty. The expulsions, massacres, forced conversions and inquisitions of the Middle Ages, the pogroms of the 17th and 19th centuries, and finally the Shoah. Yet somehow the Jewish people mourned and wept, and then rose up and built the future. This is their unique strength and it came from Abraham, as we see in this week’s parsha. Kierkegaard wrote a profound sentence in his journals: It requires moral courage to grieve, it requires religious courage to rejoice. Perhaps that’s the difference between Noah the Righteous, and Abraham the Man of Faith. Noah grieved, but Abraham knew that there must eventually be an end to grief.

Sinai, there were some Israelites that, of their own accord, already kept the entire Torah. the case, why is this We mustSince turn this fromisyesterday’s loss to the day important? call ofso tomorrow. We must help to be born. On the day of Matan Torah 2 things These weekly teachings from gained Rabbi Sacks zt”l changed. Firstly the Jews a connecare part of his ‘Covenant & Conversation’ series tion to Hashem. Hashem put his essence on the weekly Torah teaching. With thanks to the into the Family Torahforsotheir when he gave it to us Schimmel generous sponsorship, both those and had not kept the dedicated in that lovinghad memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel. Visit were www.RabbiSacks.org more. Torah before now keeping for it because of this connection to Hashem’s essence. GET FIT WHILE YOU SIT: Sinai Secondly, the Torah given at Mount Exercise for ladies isCall able physical toto have an effect on theResumes Sundays 12:45-1:30pm Oct 15th checkwhereas world before Torah and mitzvot at the OU Israel Center were considered strictly spiritual matters. Sura Faecher 0504153239 The Talmud (Shabbat 88b) states that when the Jews heard G-D’s divine voice, SHIUR SPONSORS they all died from its intensity and afterOU Chizuk Sessions you tobrought Rosina Fisher, Brianathem Simon and Meryll Goldwag wardsThank G-d back to life. I for their donations toward the OU Chizuk Sessions think this emphasizes why Hashem canRabbi Shai Finkelstein's Shiur is sponsored for the 2023 2024 academic year not be openly present in this world. For by the Sondhelm and Wertenteil families in memory of Mel David z"l‫מנחם‬ if he was, the ‫וטויבא‬ Jews’ ‫רבקה ז"ל‬ ‫מאיר‬free ‫ אברהם‬will ‫ מנדל בן‬would no Rabbi Adler’sand Shiur we would follonger be preserved is sponsored for the 2023-2024 academic year by the Frist family in memory of their beloved daughter sister Elisheva Frist a"h If ‫ בת‬his ‫ סימא‬awe ‫אלישבע‬and low Hashem inandeverything. ‫זלמן ע"ה‬ will were so apparent, we would be comRabbi Goldscheider’s Shiur has been sponsored for the 2023 Academichaving Year pelled to follow him without a real ‫לעילו נשמת מרים בת אברהם ע’’ה ושם טוב בן שלמה ז’’ל‬ choice. Rebbetzin Shira Smiles Shiur the 2023 academic year JLIC at Telis sponsored Aviv for University does amazing by Dr. & Mrs. Menachem Marcus work in bringing Jews and teachin memory of theirtogether parents, Rose & Dr. Emanuel Marcus z”l ing us ‫ז”ל‬ all‫מרקוס‬ about we‫רייזל‬received ‫ בן משה‬the ‫ ומרדכי‬torah ‫בת יוסף מאיר‬ Rosi and Ernest Strauss z”l at Mount Sinai. JLIC, I believe, helps us

ing college students and young professionals. JLIC Israel’s goals include: building a warm and welcoming Jewish community for students and young professionals; providing engaging and dynamic Jewish education; providing a supportive home environment for Olim; providing resources for personal and religious growth, including personal mentoring, Aliyah support, religious guidance and leadership development. Current JLIC programs in Israel include: Reichman University - Herzliya; Bar Ilan University - Givat Shmuel; Tel Aviv University; Tel Aviv for Young Professionals; and Jerusalem. Contact: Rabbi Jonathan Shulman, Director of OU-JLIC Monday Evenings 7:00-9:00pm in Israel shulmanj@ou.org

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‫לימוד בת אברהם ודניאל בן דוד שטראוס ז”ל‬

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is sponsored for the academic year 2023 by Rabbi Refoel & Sharon Auman in memory of their parents Edith & Reiner Auman z”l ‫יונה בן צדוק ז”ל ואסתר ע”ה בת רפאל הי”ד‬

and their son Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu Auman z”l

‫הרב שמואל אליהו ז”ל בן הרב רפאל נ”י‬

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is sponsored for the 2023 academic year by Dr. & Mrs. Menachem Marcus in memory of beloved aunts Irma Haas a”h and Hilde Myer a”h

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Rabbi Taub’s Weekly Thursday Parshat HaShavua Shiur is sponsored by The Jewish Legacy Foundation

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91

‫רפואה שלמה‬ Yosef Ezriel ben Chaya Michal Chana bat Bruriah Benzion Simcha Mendel Ben Chana Rachel Feyge Sara bas Chaya Peshe Nechama Charna bat Feigel Leah Naomi bat Tova

‫אברהם יהושע בן פרל באהדנא‬ ‫לב אייזיק בן אולגה‬ ‫יהונתן בן מחלה‬ OU ISRAEL CENTER 31

32 TORAH TIDBITS 1539 / CHAYEI SARA

OU ISRAEL CENTER 33

RABBI NACHMAN (NEIL) WINKLER PROBING BY Faculty, OU Israel Center THE PROPHETS l

Rabbi Winkler's popular Jewish History lectures can be viewed by visiting the OU Israel Video archive: https://www.ouisrael.org/video-library

Over the past years, I shared with you the contrasting depiction of King David’s final days as described in our haftarah taken from Sefer M’lachim with that found in Sefer Divrei HaYamim A. However, I rarely (if at all) chose to contrast Avraham’s final days with those of David, as the differences are certainly understandable, given the gap of hundreds of years between the two lives and the resulting challenges they faced. In the parasha, we confront an aging patriarch choosing a fitting partner for his son who would successfully carry on his own life’s work, while in the haftarah, we face a weakened regent struggling to crown a successor to sit on his throne. Both had to prepare for the future – one, for his family, one for his nation. But when we pause to study the saga of David, we might rightfully wonder about his choice of successor. Shlomo was a young man of perhaps 12 years or 16 years of age, a rather tender age to take on such a weighty position. Indeed, when we read the haftarah and the attempted coup of Adoniyahu, David’s oldest surviving first-born (from the King’s wives), we see that he had gathered a large and impressive following - including many of the nation’s influential leaders. People like Yoav, David’s long-time chief-of-staff, and Evyatar, the former Kohen Gadol, supported Adoniyahu’s attempt to usurp the throne from the elderly King. And one can 34 TORAH TIDBITS 1539 / CHAYEI SARA

well understand why they did so!!!! Consider: David was weakening, he could not even keep himself warm and, it seems, hardly left the palace - indeed, the text lets us know that he knew very little of what was taking place outside. It was crucial for the nation of Israel to have a leader, and a young teenage boy was hardly a proper choice - especially when there was an experienced older prince who was far more fitting for the job!! Additionally, there is absolutely NO mention – in all of Sefer M’lachim – of Hashem’s choice of Shlomo to succeed David (it is found only in Sefer Divrei HaYamin A) and perhaps very few knew of G-d’s promise to David – including those who hoped to crown Adoniyahu! So why were they wrong in attempting to place Adonniyahu on the throne?? Well, they were wrong for a very good reason!!! As we read of the invitees to Adoniyahu’s “coronation”, we also read of those who were NOT invited and we discover that, although all of the princes were invited, Shlomo was not invited (see v. 10). Indeed, it seems that they knew very well of David’s choice of Shlomo – but they didn’t care. David had seen his sons vie for his throne throughout his life. He saw his eldest, Amnon, ravish Tamar, David’s daughter, with no fear of retribution - he was, after all, the crown prince. Avshalom, the next son, murders Amnon, starts a civil war and usurps the royal throne, even

attempting to assassinate his own father. And now, at the end of his days, David sees Adoniyahu and some of his highest officers, trying to take over the throne. David knows very well what is happening. David knows why – because he had seen this before. As in past years, David HaMelech sees people who want to win. They care for position, they care for fame, they care for power….but they don’t care for the nation. He recognizes individuals who are willing to defy the king, ignore the majority and divide the people so that they can rise to power. That is why Yoav, whom David had removed from his generalship, and Evyatar, who also lost his High Priesthood, joined the coup. They wanted their power back!! And when people are willing to divide a united nation, when they are thirsty to “win”, when they care for themselves more than they care for their nation….they can never be allowed to “take the throne.” We have seen in our own time how different views can lead to dividing a nation if there is no common discussion and no compromise. We, who now stand united as perhaps never before, must be careful to remember the painful months, even years, of incessant bickering and splintering of our people. After G-d helps us defeat the forces of pure evil, IY”H, we must make sure that our leaders will care for the nation more than they care for themselves and that they will talk to each other even when they disagree with each other and will work to insure the rift that was will never appear again. In short, it is time to place Shlomo, Shalom, upon the throne.

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RABBI SHALOM ROSNER

Rav Kehilla, Nofei HaShemesh Maggid Shiur, Daf Yomi, OU.org Senior Ra"M, Kerem B'Yavneh

Smart Chesed ‫ֲא � ֶ​ֶׁשר ֹא ַַֹמר ֵ​ֵאֶלֶ ָיָה ַ​ַה ִ�ִּטי־‬ )‫הנער‬ ‫ְוְ ָ​ָהָיָה ַ​ַה �ַּֽנ ֲֲֽע ָ​ָרה (כתיב‬ ֲ ָ ‫ָנָא ַכַ ֵּד�ֵ ְ​ְך ְוְ ֶ​ֶא � ְ​ְׁש ֶ�ֶּתה ְוְ ָֽאֽ ְ​ְמ ָ​ָרה � ְ​ְׁש ֵ​ֵתה ְוְ ַגַ ם־ ְ �ְּג ַ​ַמ ֶ�ֶּליָך ַ​ַא � ְ​ְׁש ֶ​ֶקה‬ ‫ִׂש ָיָת ֶ​ֶח ֶ​ֶסד‬ � ִ ‫י־ָע‬ ָ ‫ֹא ָָֹתּהּ ֹהַֹכַ ְ​ְח ָ�ָּת ְלְ ַ​ַע ְ​ְבְּד�ְ ָ​ָך ְלְ ִי ְְִצ ָ​ָחק ָּוָּבּהּ ֵ​ֵא ַ​ַדע ִ�ִּכ‬ )‫יד‬:‫ (בראשית כד‬:‫ם־ֲאֹדִֹנִי‬ ֲ ‫ִ​ִע‬ And it will be, [that] the maiden to whom I will say, ‘Lower your pitcher and I will drink,’ and she will say, ‘Drink, and I will also water your camels,’ her have You designated for Your servant, for Isaac, and through her may I know that You have performed loving kindness with my master.” (Bereshit 24:14). Avraham’s servant Eliezer embarks on a mission to find a shidduch for Yitzhak. Eliezer asks Hashem for a sign that the girl he selects is in fact the most appropriate match. If Eliezer meets a young woman at a well and she offers him water as well as offering to provide water to his camels, then he will be certain that she is fit for Yitzhak. On its face, it appears as if Eliezer is focusing on the prospective wife’s middot (character traits). Is she someone who is sympathetic not only to individuals but to the well-being of animals as well. The Beit Halevi offers a deeper insight into the behavior of Rivka. In order to provide Eliezer with water, there were no paper cups available at the time. Rivka had to allow Eliezer to drink directly from the vessel. She was unaware of his cleanliness. Perhaps his germs and saliva would 36 TORAH TIDBITS 1539 / CHAYEI SARA

get mixed in with the remaining water in the vessel. How would she react? If she spills the remaining water out in front of Eliezer, it would be embarrassing to him. If she would carry the vessel home and then pour it out it would be a waste of time and energy. If she would allow her family to drink that water, it may not be hygienic. What is Rivka to do? She offers the animals to drink the remaining water. It is both sympathetic to the animals and the most eloquent resolution to deal with the rest of the water in the vessel from which Eliezer drank. In fact, Rivka tells Eliezer:

‫ֹאֶמר ַ �ַּגם ִלִ ְגְ ַ​ַמ ֶ�ֶּל ָיָך ֶ​ֶא � ְ​ְׁש ָ​ָאב ַ​ַעד‬ ֶ ‫ַוַ ְ�ְּתַכַ ל ְלְ ַ​ַה � ְ​ְׁשֹקֹתֹוֹ ַוַ �ֹּת‬ )‫יט‬:‫ם־ִּכּלּ​ּוּ ִלִ � ְ​ְׁש �ֹּתֹת (בראשית כד‬ �ִ ‫ִ​ִא‬

And she finished giving him to drink, and she said, “I will also draw for your camels, until they will have finished drinking.” (Bereshit 24:19). Rivka does not just state (as Eliezer does) that she will provide water to the camels. She adds, “until they finish drinking”. She is even willing to refill the vessel if they are still thirsty. That statement highlights that she does not want to embarrass Eliezer by wasting the water. She is authentic about her concern for the camels and will even refill the vessel to satisfy their thirst. The lesson we learn from Rivka’s behavior is that to engage in chesed is important and commendable, but at the same time, we have to act in a wise manner. To always consider the impact our actions may have on the recipient and on others. Our intention

may be commendable, but we need to ensure that the end result is positive as well. Rivka exhibited “smart chesed”. May we be able to do so as well when we engage in helping and providing for others.

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“IS THERE ANY OTHER NATION THAT HAS SO MUCH SELF-SACRIFICE, GENEROSITY, AND INNER STRENGTH?” Written by a Hesder yeshiva student turned combat soldier in the historic Yom Kippur War, this book provides a rare glimpse into the hearts and souls of the brave young men who went directly from the benches of their beloved beis midrash to the frontlines of battle. Also included is the remarkable story of yeshiva student Avichail Feld, who found himself in Egyptian captivity after being severely injured on the frontlines.

With its very title, this book conveys an important message; it is a shiur klali for life.” RAV MICHAEL YAMMER, ROSH YESHIVA, Shaalvim Hesder Yeshiva

Mosaica Press books are available at your local Jewish bookshop

OU ISRAEL CENTER 37

REBBETZIN SHIRA Faculty, OU Israel Center SMILES

Eternal End Throughout his commentary on the Torah, Rashi will connect the events at the end of one parashah to the events at the beginning of the next one. As the death of Sarah Imeinu is the first topic in our parashah, Rashi recounts that the news of the Akeidah, the last topic of the previous parashah, was so startling to Sarah that she dies (Rashi, Bereisheet 23:2). How are we to understand her sudden death? Additionally, earlier Rashi comments that Sarah’s life was “kulan shavin l’tovah”, all the days of her life were equally good. Can we find goodness in the circumstance of her death? Every nisayon that a person endures is meticulously designed by Hashem according to the individual’s distinct capabilities. The Brisker Rav teaches that the nisayon of the Akeidah was specifically intended for Avraham Avinu and he alone was therefore able to pass it with his unique inner strengths. Sara Imeinu was not involved in this nisayon, as such, she was unaware of the details of their journey. Therefore, when the Satan came to tell her what had almost transpired, she could not endure the shock and as a result, died. Sara Imeinu is obviously not disparaged for this; her life is still considered one of goodness and wholehearted service of Hashem, “kulan shavin l’tovah.” 38 TORAH TIDBITS 1539 / CHAYEI SARA

David Hamelech reminds us that Hashem is “Hanoten sheleg katzamer, k’for ke’afer yifazer – He who gives snow like fleece, He scatters frost like ashes” (Tehillim 148:16). The Chasidic masters explain that although Hashem may give us “snow,” i.e., difficult situations, he also gives us “wool” to warm us. Each of us is equipped with the tools to manage the circumstances we find ourselves in, every nisayon fits each person with precision. Rav Wolbe notes that the unique language chazal use to describe Sarah’s death indicates the manner in which she passed from this world. The term “parcha nishmata,” Sarah’s soul flew, is the same one used to describe Am Yisrael’s experience at Har Sinai. “Parcha nishmatam,” their souls spontaneously left their bodies from the enormity of the Divine spiritual encounter. When Sara Imeinu was told about Akeidat Yitzchak, she was so overcome by the magnitude of what had occurred that her soul could not be contained within her physical being. A climactic culmination of how she lived, her death was characterized by her intense desire to connect with her Maker. The Koshnitzer Maggid understands chazal as expressing Sara Imeinu’s deep yearning to have been part of the Akeidah, to have the opportunity to entirely subsume herself within the Divine. Hashem responded to her passionate wish and took her soul. Her death is a testament to

her desire to be mekadesh shem shamayim, to sanctify Hashem’s Name. In doing so, teaches the Tosher Rebbe, Sara Imeinu infused all Jews with the genetic code to love Hashem unconditionally, to be fully devoted and committed to His Will. As we continue to fight the battle for our Land and our people, we must always remember that we are servants of Hashem, representatives of His absolute sovereignty in the world. We must fight the battle on the spiritual front as well, pursuing truth, dedicating ourselves to Hashem’s Will with devotion, commitment and love, as Sara Imeinu taught us in the way she lived from beginning to end.

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RABBI JUDAH MISCHEL

Take Heed! Reb Zev Wolf Kitzes was the Rav of Tulchin and later became one of the most dedicated disciples of the Baal Shem Tov. When Reb Zev was preparing to embark on a journey to Eretz Yisrael, he stopped in for a blessing from his Master. The Baal Shem Tov blessed him with a safe and uplifting journey, adding a cryptic comment on the way out: “Reb Zev! When you meet someone baderech, along the path, it is for a reason; take heed and be sure to take him seriously.” Reb Zev didn’t think much of it, gathered his belongings and began his journey. A nesiya to Eretz Israel was the opportunity of a lifetime: davening at the Kotel, in Meiron by Rebbe Shimon Bar Yohai, at Kever Rachel, and of course, a visit to Ir haAvos, Chevron. At the end of his journey, after pouring his heart out at Me’aras haMachpela, the hour was late. He had extended his tefilos longer than expected and his fellow travelers were waiting for him. There was a bit of commotion as they tried to catch their ride to the port of Acco so they could board their ship and begin the arduous trip back to Medzibuz. They hastily returned to their lodgings, gathered their belongings, and set out in the winding alleyways of the old city of Chevron. They passed an old man on the street who looked up at them and wished them a ‘Shalom aleichem.’ The travelers were under pressure, 40 TORAH TIDBITS 1539 / CHAYEI SARA

Executive Director, Camp HASC Author of Baderech: Along the Path of Teshuva (Mosaica 2021)

and barely noticed the man, but the alter yid was walking next to them and he strained for their attention. “I see that you’ve come from a faraway land. Where are you from?” Barely turning around, Reb Zev muttered, “We’re from Mezbuzh and are on our way back right now. I’m sorry, we’re mamish running late!” As the travelers approached their wagon, the old man pressed, “Please, just one thing… can you tell me, how are my kinder doing over there?” With a harried, distracted look, Reb Zev answered, “Baruch Hashem, day by day, we’re managing!” They quickly climbed onto the wagon and clutched their seats as the agitated driver took off toward the port of Acco. The interaction with the old man was quickly forgotten. It was Erev Shabbos when the group arrived back in Mezhibuz. Reb Zev could not wait for the opportunity to ‘give Shalom’ and provide an update to his Rebbe. How shocked he was to find the cold reception that awaited him; completely ignoring his presence, the Baal Shem Tov wouldn’t even look in his direction. The scene repeated itself throughout Shabbos, the Baal Shem Tov turning a cold shoulder to his dedicated student, who was now disappointed and confused. By the end of Shabbos, he

Mazal Tov to

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couldn’t take it anymore, and cried out, “Rebbe, what have I done wrong? Please, What did I do to deserve this treatment?” The Baal Shem Tov shook his head in disappointment. “Reb Zev, ayy Reb Zev, what was the one thing I told you? To pay attention to everyone you meet. You were zocheh to a gilui, a revelation of Avraham Avinu, who came to ask of you regarding the well-being of his children, so many of whom are facing poverty, starvation and hardship. There are gezeros of conscription and anti-semitism, not to mention hisnagdus, machlokes and sinas chinam. Families are torn apart, communities are suffering… and all you could muster was that ‘We’re managing?!’ You had the opportunity to ask, to beg, to plead for the coming of Moshiach, for the completion, for the fulfillment of the Bris ben haBesarim. ‘We’re managing??’ -Gevalt, Reb Zev, did you ever blow it….” On one of the pillars inside the “Avraham Avinu Shul” in Chevron is a plaque featuring the ‘shaar’, the cover page of Sefer Emek haMelech, a Kabbalistic work by Rav Naftali Hertz Bachrach, published in 1648. There is a short and impactful maaseh mentioned in the hakdama, the introduction. On the eve of Yom Kippur (in 1619), nine men were waiting for a minyan. Most of the residents of the city had ascended to Yerushalayim, a day’s walk. As the sun set and the reality sunk in that there would not be a minyan for Kol Nidrei night, the assembled cried out to Hashem over their inability to form a proper minyan on the holy night…. “And they lifted their eyes and there stood an elderly man, in the distance, and they were overjoyed to see him, for he had completed

the minyan. They worshiped on the holy day and honored the man greatly. At the end of the sacred day, the chazan led the way toward his home to break the fast, with the honored guest walking behind him. When he arrived at his home, the chazan turned around and saw that the guest was gone. That night, the man appeared to the chazan in a dream, telling him that he was Avraham Avinu, who had come to complete the minyan.” From then on, the shul was known by the name Beit Knesset Avraham Avinu. In the midst of war, as we read of the acquisition of the holy city of Chevron, let us redouble our yearning for the entirety of the Land of Israel and take heed and pay attention to each person who joins our minyan, and all those we meet baderech, along our path. This Shabbos, let us not be satisfied with simply ‘managing’! May we awaken zechus Avos, merit the revelation of Avraham Avinu as well as all of our forefathers and mothers, and bring in the coming of the true and complete Redemption, b’mheirah!

Mazal Tov to

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OU ISRAEL CENTER 41

SIMCHAT SHMUEL

BY RABBI SAM SHOR

Program Director, OU Israel Center

Just last week ,we commemorated the 66th yahrtzeit of the great tzadik Rabbi Yaakov Friedman, the Admor of Husiyatin zy’a. A descendant of the illustrious Reb Yisrael Friedman, the Rizhiner Rebbe, z’ya, Rav Yaakov made aliya to Eretz Yisrael in the late 1930’s, and succeeded his father-in-law as the Admor of Husiyatin in Tel Aviv. His drashot and teachings are recorded in a beautiful sefer known as Ohalei Yaakov. The Rebbe lived through the formative years of the establishment of the State of Israel, during the turbulent times of both the days leading up to the Declaration of Independence, the subsequent war, and the earliest days of our fledgling state, and was a powerful voice for the importance and significance of the return of the Jewish People to the Land. Our sedra this week opens with the passing of Sara Imeinu, and Avraham’s purchase of Maarat HaMachpela in Chevron. The pasuk tells us: ‘V’Tamat Sara B’Kiryat Arba, Hee Chevron...’ And Sara died in Kiryat Arba, which is Chevron....’ The Ohalei Yaakov points to a very interesting Midrash in the Yalkut Reuveni, which offers a creative interpretation of this pasuk: ‘V’Tamat Sara B’Kiryat Arba - And Sara passed on b’kriat shema -while reciting the daled (the fourth letter) at the end of the word echad- of kriat shema....” Kiryat Arba - represents Sara’s recitation of Kriat Shema as she left this world and entered the next. The Rebbe, in explaining this Midrash, 42 TORAH TIDBITS 1539 / CHAYEI SARA

points to a teaching from the great Mekubal, Rav Chaim Vital zy’a, prime disciple of the Arizal. In Shaar Hay of Shaar HaKavanot, Rav Chaim Vital wrote: “We must be prepared to give our lives, to sanctify Hashem’s name. The daled in the word echad in the first verse of the Shema, represents Hashem’s four letter name...” The Ohalei Yaakov, takes this idea from Rav Chaim Vital, and explains that Sara Imeinu, as she departed from this world, leaves us an eternal message connected to the unbreakable bond between the Jewish people and our sacred Land. Throughout our history, the Rebbe explained, and especially during the turbulent early years of Medinat Yisrael, which the Rebbe merited to experience, Am Yisrael has been willing to risk their lives for the gift that is Artzeinu HaKedosha. May we always remember and hold dear, the many neshamot who have enabled us the zechut to build our lives in our sacred, eternal home. Perhaps, more than ever, the Rebbe’s words resonate with each of us so strongly. Yehi Ratzon, may all those working to protect us, continue to be safe, and may we soon be blessed to live here in Artzeinu HaKedosha in complete peace and tranquility

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GEULAS YISRAEL BY RABBI MOSHE TARAGIN Ram, Yeshivat Har Etzion

Is Celebrating Tzahal a Lack of Emunah? Growing up in the 70’s, in the aftermath of the Six -Day War, I heard a comment which, even as a young boy, troubled me. A rabbi mentioned that, initially, the great nissim of 1967 carried Messianic potential. Tragically, this opportunity was squandered because too much credit was attributed to Tzahal. The ensuing parades declaring “kol hakavod l’tzahal” reflected a lack of emunah and closed any Messianic window. Though I was too young to fully process my disagreement, something struck me as mistaken. As ma’aminim or believers, we always trace success and failure to divine decisions. Whether it be financial prosperity, personal health, or military success, we believe that everything in is the hands of Heaven or ‫הכל‬ ‫בידי שמים‬. Given this perspective, is it appropriate to celebrate the heroism of our soldiers? Does belief in Hashem as an ‫איש מלחמה‬ clash with our culture which venerates the bravery and courage of IDF chayalim?

EMUNAH AND BITACHON By referring to the generic term “faith”, we often confuse two related but very different theological principles: emunah and bitachon. Emunah is an immutable philosophical conviction, whereas bitachon is a policy decision. Emunah acknowledges fundamental articles 44 TORAH TIDBITS 1539 / CHAYEI SARA

of faith, including the role of hashgacha: events aren’t random or haphazard but part of a larger divine trajectory. Events which may appear to be natural are deliberately authored by Hashem. Sometimes Hashem decides to intervene in a supernatural and overt manner, but, more frequently, He scripts history through seemingly “routine” or “natural” events, thereby concealing His authorship. Emunah demands unconditional belief in an absolute set of theological principles including divine hashgacha. Unlike emunah which is unchanging, bitachon is an ever-changing decision about balancing human effort alongside divine intervention. Though emunah affirms that Hashem CAN supernaturally intervene, we don’t have the automatic right to rely upon His miracles, and therefore we must take appropriate human measures to achieve success. Additionally, Hashem often delivers success in response to prior human initiative. Either way, human investment, referred to as hishtadlut, is not a lack of emunah. Though our emunah is unflinching, we don’t possess the right to entirely depend upon Hashem at the cost of diminished or nonexistent human effort. Cautioning us against overreliance upon miracles, Chazal warn that, despite emunah

‫אין סומכים על הנס‬. Bitachon is a constantly changing calibration of human effort and divine assistance. Ya’akov provides the paradigm for steadfast emunah coupled with calibrated bitachon. Facing a murderous and vengeful brother, he refused to rely solely upon Hashem’s supernatural miracles for protection. Various concerns drive him to greater hishtadlut: perhaps he already received too much divine benevolence to continue to “draw from the well”. Perhaps his minor transgressions (as he views them), will hinder divine intervention. Because of all these concerns, and despite his stout emunah, Ya’akov prepares for battle rather than passively trusting Hashem for protection. Though his emunah confirms that Hashem will decide the outcome of this skirmish, he feels that, at this moment, he shouldn’t be fully reliant upon miracles. While emunah never wavers or fades, bitachon depends upon the person and the circumstance. All that being said, whether we take greater human initiative or completely rely upon miracles, we always trace success back to Hashem.

WAR IS DIFFERENT Yet, evidently, war and military success are still different. For some reason, during war, Hashem Himself encourages soldiers to take partial credit for their success, provided they don’t completely ignore His role. On the one hand, we are cautioned against exclusive attribution or even excess attribution to human effort. The 7th perek of sefer Shoftim describes Gidon’s preparations for the war against the Midyanim. Though initially numbering 32,000 soldiers, his army is whittled down to a puny 300, to avoid false pretensions that the victory was

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due to military skills. Concerned that the victorious army would completely forget Him, Hashem preferred a tiny army so that His role would be unmistakable. On the other hand, the Torah’s well known warning against human attribution or ‫כחי‬ ‫ ועצם ידי‬is not issued surrounding military success but regarding self- aggrandizing financial prosperity. The Torah never explicitly warns against attributing military success to human efforts. Prior to war, a Kohen reminds our armies that Hashem battles with them. However, this isn’t a warning against self- attribution but a “pep talk” to boost morale by informing worried soldiers that Hashem “takes the lead” against our enemies. More so, a striking midrash (Yalkut Shimoni, Tehillim 724) illustrates that if we recognize Hashem’s authorship, we are also allowed, and even encouraged to OU ISRAEL CENTER 45

celebrate human military feats. After his vanquishing of the giant warrior Golyat, Dovid Hamelech was paraded as “a conqueror of tens of thousands”. Immediately, Dovid reroutes the credit to Hashem ‫אמר‬

‫דוד לפני הקדוש ברוך הוא אתה עושה המלחמה‬ ‫ולך הוא הנצחון‬, acknowledging that any victory was solely Hashem’s provenance. Surprisingly, Hashem responds by sharing the “credit” with Dovid:

‫ אף‬,‫ נתת לי הנצחון‬,‫א”ל הקדוש ברוך הוא דוד‬ ‫ אני נותן לך הנצחון‬: “you attributed the credit to Me I will attribute it to you”. Though, typically, all credit is assigned to Hashem, military success is assigned both to Hashem as well as to human agents. What makes war different? Typically, we attach full responsibility to Hashem, whereas on the battlefield, credit is “shared”.

WAR IS A “MENTALITY” Success at war doesn’t just demand talent and skill. To be successful at war, a soldier must deeply believe in their abilities and toughness. Courage and bravery demand not just vision of a larger purpose but also self-confidence and deep belief in your abilities. Success at war can’t be achieved without mental toughness and inner strength. A gemara (Mo’ed Katan 16b) captures the hard-edged emotions necessary for military success. The gemara marvels at kindhearted and “tender” scholars morphing into soldiers and becoming as “hard as wood”. Success at war demands not just external skills but inner conviction and inner bravado. For that self-esteem and boldness to develop, a soldier must believe in himself and his potential. For an army culture to succeed human heroics must be celebrated and military feats honored. 46 TORAH TIDBITS 1539 / CHAYEI SARA

Every human project demands human initiative or hishtadlut alongside emunah. In general, hishtadlut demands the application of human skills and talents. Unlike other spheres though, hishtadlut in war requires self- esteem and personal pride for courage and bravery. Though it feels like excess selfattribution, military pride and celebration of the courage of IDF chayalim are all part of the necessary hishtadlut Hashem desires during war. Without human beings feeling pride at their accomplishments our military hishtadlut would be hollow and ineffective and we would be fully reliant upon miracles. Ironically, serving in the army is the one area of religious experience in which belief in Hashem and attribution to human effort don’t clash. We know that Hashem wages war. We also know that he wants us to take the initiative. To take the initiative which He desires it is insufficient to merely apply skills and talents. We must also believe in the human courage and bravery which Hashem endowed in us. We hope one day for overt miracles and war fought entirely through supernatural means. In the absence of these miracles, we continue to invest hishtadlut in the battles we know Hashem fights on our behalf. Ideally there should be absolutely no contradiction between our emunah in Hashem as an ‫ איש מלחמה‬and the celebration of human courage.

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OU ISRAEL CENTER 47

HAFTORAH INSIGHTS

HAFTORAH INSIGHTS

Our Dynasty is Our Destiny MELACHIM ALEPH 1:1-31

This week’s Haftorah begins with a description of Dovid HaMelech in his old age, ‫ָ �ָּבא ַ �ַּב �ָּי ִִָמים‬ and the rocky road toward the transfer of leadership. His son, Adoniyahu declares himself king. Dovid, at the initiation of his wife Batsheva and his trusted advisor and prophet Nathan, announces that Shlomo will be the continuation of the Davidic dynasty and inherit the kingship. Why is it necessary to report Adoniyahu’s attempt to usurp Shlomo’s ascent to kingship? Ultimately, wasn’t the Davidic line secured with Dovid HaMelech’’s own anointing? The connection between the Parshiyot and Haftorot are sometimes more obvious, and sometimes less so. One possible connection for this week’s readings is the use of the words ‫ ָ �ָּבא ַ �ַּב �ָּי ִִָמים‬describing both Avraham and Dovid. In their advanced ages both Dovid and Avraham recognize the need to assure a strong future for the Jewish people. Avraham does so by going to great lengths to find an appropriate wife for his unmarried son Yitzchok and Dovid does so by publicly proclaiming Shlomo king. Dovid and Avraham teach us by example that no matter our age or strength we must continuously work for the betterment of Klal Yisroel. It is especially significant that the area of focus for both Avraham and Dovid in the 48 TORAH TIDBITS 1539 / CHAYEI SARA

waning years of their lives is continuity. All too often iconic figures achieve greatness in their own lives, but are sadly unable to transmit it to succeeding generations. A succession plan was crucial for both Avraham and Dovid. The distinction of these men lies not merely in their ability to see the importance of breeding successors, but more so in their awareness of the particular needs of those who would assume the mantle of leadership following them. Avraham understood Yitzchok could only achieve his mission and his potential through the continuity of family. Dovid is keenly mindful that since Adoniyahu announced his rulership, only a public pronouncement could securely ensconce Shlomo as the next melech al Yisroel - king of the Jewish people. Both Avraham and Dovid enabled continuity through deliberate actions; they carried out actions for their sons that were not carried out for them. Great leaders, like Avraham and Dovid, are prepared to do for others what was not done for them if it is indeed for the greater good and future of the people. They understand the value of mesorah, of transmitting values and heritage. May Hashem bless us with the strength

is no longer a stranger. What did Avraham mean? The Magid of Dubno (Jacob ben Wolf Kranz 1741-1804) explains that Avraham watched how he spoke in this tense situation in order to, both, state his truth and be able to keep the peace -Shalom Bayit. Avraham on theto one hand, “Ithe am acontinuity Resident’ dueof to our G-d’s promise to receive this Land and on the other hand, I still andsaid, energy assure need your agreement to purchase a plot. In other words, Avraham implied “I am the resident” and you are the people and Land, theunderstood wisdomhim toascherish “strangers”, while they saying that “they” are the residents and Avraham is the stranger. our heritage recognize theremained needs true of to his ideals. The peace and was kept, and Avraham Shaloma nation through family others.Shabbat Building

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TORAH TIDBITS 1440 / CHAYEI SARA 5782

Be’er Tziporah a"h Bottled Water Gemach

Walking down King George St. in Jerusalem and want a cold bottle of water? Come help yourself to a bottle at 52 King George. In loving memory of Yoni’s wife Tziporah a"h, a true Eishes Chayil, always full of chessed, kindness and laughter, and brought life and strength to so many people, that she touched! She was like Aron, who loved peace and pursued peace. Yoni thanks Hashem for having the opportunity of having Tziporah in his life, to learn of her caring, patience and happiness, to overcome her challenges. May Tziporah's Neshama be a light onto the world, in a time of darkness, and may her Neshama shine to Gan Eden. Yoni misses Tziporah with tears in his eyes, as Hashem gave him a gift, a crown jewel, now he returns her to Hashem. With thanks and Toda. Love, Yoni To help refill the supply send tax deductible donations for Be’er Tziporah a"h Bottled Water Gemach to Chabad of Rechavia Rabbi Yisroel Goldberg email Rabbi@JerusalemChabad.org

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‫הודו לה' כי טוב‬ OU ISRAEL CENTER 49

RABBI AARON GOLDSCHEIDER EDITOR, TORAH TIDBITS

Sara’s Outcry In the midst of the unspeakable horror that was the Warsaw Ghetto, a holy fire continued to burn bright. This ember was Rebbe Kalonymus Kalman Shapira, the Piasetzner Rebbe, who served as the spiritual leader and father to thousands of adherents until his murder by the Nazis. His powerful sermons of the war years are preserved in Esh Kodesh, a work with an astonishing backstory. When it became apparent to the Piasetzner that the ghetto would be liquidated, he buried the book manuscript in a canister. The canister was miraculously unearthed by Polish construction workers after the war, and the book was first published in Israel in 1960. In a remarkable teaching, written amidst unfathomable anguish, the Piasetzner Rebbe addressed the great challenge of continued faith in God’s justice in the face of terrifying and agonizing adversity. He began with the opening verse of Parashat Chayei Sara: “The years of Sara’s life were one hundred and twenty-seven years, the years of Sara’s life” (Genesis 23:1). Why the repetitive phrase “the years of Sara’s life” at the end of the verse? The rebbe explained that the repetition is a sign of her extreme, lifelong piety which surpassed even Avraham’s. When the years of Avraham’s life are later tallied (Genesis 25:7), there is no such repetition. Sara’s faith and devotion were unparalleled, even in 50 TORAH TIDBITS 1539 / CHAYEI SARA

her final moments on this earth.1 The Piasetzner Rebbe quoted Rebbe Menachem Mendel Torem of Rimanov (1745–1815)2 on the comparison drawn in the Talmud between salt and suffering, based on the Torah’s use of the word berit, “covenant,” with each.3 Just as salt sweetens the meat by bringing out its flavor, so too suffering sweetens the putrid sins of man. Rebbe Menachem Mendel furthered the analogy. Salt is only a taste enhancer when applied proportionately—too much salt spoils the meat. Similarly, suffering must be diluted with mercy so that it is proportionate and does not crush a person.4 Rashi tells us that the juxtaposition of Sara’s death at the beginning of Parashat Chayei Sara with the Akedah in Parashat Vayera is indicative of a causal link. Sara died after hearing that her only son had been bound like a sacrifice and almost slaughtered.5 In the rebbe’s words: Our master Moshe, the faithful shepherd, juxtaposed the death of Sara to Akedat Yitzhak, in order to advocate for us and to 1. Esh Kodesh, 5700, Chayei Sara, 9. 2. Since Rebbe Menachem Mendel’s teachings were not published, they are scattered in the works of his disciples. Here the Piasetzner Rebbe quotes him from Maor va-Shamesh, written by his namesake and maternal greatgrandfather Rebbe Kalonymos Kalman ha-Levi Epstein (c. 1750–c. 1825), who was a disciple of Rebbe Menachem Mendel. 3. Berachot 5a. 4. Esh Kodesh, 5700, Chayei Sara, 10. 5. Rashi on Genesis 23:2, s.v. ‫לספד לשרה ולבכותה‬, based on Genesis Rabbah, 58:4.

demonstrate what happens when there is too much suffering, God forbid: her soul departed. Furthermore, if this could happen to Sara, so righteous a woman that when she was 100 she was like 20 with regard to sin…, and all of Sara’s years were equivalent for good, yet she could not bear such deep agony, how much more so is this true for all of us.6 Even the greatest, most pious Jews of all time were fragile human beings who could be broken by intolerable suffering. The Piasetzner Rebbe then boldly claimed that Sara’s death, the result of overwhelming psychological trauma, was an act on behalf of all Jews, as a protest to God, a demonstration that the Jewish people cannot bear excessive suffering. She gave up her life, if you will, in order to “teach the Creator” the limits of human suffering. She chose to show God the effect of suffering when it is too much to bear. Even someone who on account of God’s compassion survives their suffering, parts of their lifeforce, mind, and spirit are still crushed and obliterated. Does it matter if one is partly dead or fully dead?7 This explains why the verse repeats “the years of Sara’s life.” Sara cut her life short. She had been allotted more years that would never be lived out, which could be construed as a blot on her piety. Since she acted for the good of her people, however, the final phrase in the verse instructs us that the lost years were like the rest. Her saintliness pervaded them all equally. This sermon was delivered orally on the Shabbat of Parashat Chayei Sara, November 4, 1939. Only two months earlier the 6. Esh Kodesh, 5700, Chayei Sara, 10. 7. Ibid.

Rebbe of Piasetzna had suffered one of the most excruciating blows of his life: the deaths of his only son, his daughter-in-law, and his sister-in-law, all killed by the Nazi aerial bombing of Warsaw in September 1939. In speaking of Sara’s loss, the rebbe’s own tormented voice is audible. In this gut-wrenching sermon, the rebbe affirmed that crushing heartbreak and psychological pain can be traumatic. In severe cases, a part of us dies. While the classic religious response to suffering is submission, Sara confronted the Creator, challenging Heaven to be more responsive and compassionate to the evil that man is made to endure. This gesture legitimates, the rebbe seems to say, our wrestling with theodicy. We are permitted—perhaps even obligated—to press God in our search for beacons of truth and justice in the smothering fog of suffering. The Piasetzner Rebbe concluded his unforgettable sermon with the following prayer: “Therefore, may God have mercy upon us and all Israel, and may He rescue us quickly spiritually and physically, with open kindnesses.”8 Although wounded more than we can know, the rebbe’s faith remained steadfast, anticipating redemption. We can imagine to ourselves the rebbe turning with humility and deep faith to God in Heaven, his lips forming a heartfelt petition: “I may not understand Your ways, but I will not give up on seeking Your closeness and anticipating the final redemption.” The holy rebbe pleaded for that day to come soon. 8. Ibid.

Rabbi Goldscheider is the author of the newly published book ‘Torah United’ (OU Press), featuring divrei Torah on the weekly parasha from Rav Kook, Rabbi Solovetichik, and the Chassidic Masters. OU ISRAEL CENTER 51

FROM THE VIRTUAL DESK OF THE

OU VEBBE REBBE RAV DANIEL MANN

Pikuach Nefesh Principles, Part II: Public Pikuach Nefesh ‫לעילוי נשמת‬ ‫יואל אפרים בן אברהם עוזיאל זלצמן ז"ל‬ Introduction: These days, the precious need to save lives is on our minds. We will now present some of the halachic and practical underpinnings of the laws that pikuach nefesh (saving a life) takes precedence over almost all of the Torah’s mitzvot and prohibitions. Now we look at the distinction between public and private pikuach nefesh decisions and contemplate some ramifications, especially regarding Shabbat. Presentation: The following approach to the unique qualities of pikuach nefesh decisions for matters decided on a communal and especially a national level are based on the writings of our mentor, Rav Shaul Yisraeli zt”l (see Amud Hayemini, siman 17). Rav Asher Weiss presented the same basic approach in a question and answer session after the outbreak of the war. As we mentioned last week, a danger can be too remote to count for pikuach nefesh dispensations. Let us say, for example, that the potential danger from a specific situation is only 1 out of 10,000 and that this would not qualify to justify an individual violating Shabbat. A halachically-guided police force would need to have a policy about what to do if they are called to neutralize the danger, in 52 TORAH TIDBITS 1539 / CHAYEI SARA

this or equivalent cases – do they drive there on Shabbat or refuse to do so? The policy they decide upon will be applied indefinitely, in every police station, week after week. Therefore, although any specific case is highly unlikely to cause loss of life, the cumulative effect of a decision not to drive is statistically very likely to cause loss of life. (Additionally, if criminals know the police will not to come, it will increase the occurrence of such crime, which can also endanger life.) Because the decision is made by and for public policy, not on individual basis, we include all, including future, situations that are affected by the policy decision, in the equation for the halachic decision-maker to address. This will often lead him to conclude that pikuach nefesh applies. An apparent fallacy of this cumulative view approach is that to save a tiny number of lives, many thousands of chillulei Shabbat must be performed, whereas in the decision regarding an individual case, limited chillul Shabbat would be needed. Rav Yisraeli responded that in the face of even one life we need to save, there is no limit on the number of people or actions involved in violating Shabbat. When the decision is correctly viewed broadly, we do not distinguish between many chillulei Shabbat stemming from different situation

The Orthodox Union - via its website - fields questions of all types in areas of kashrut, Jewish law and values. Some of them are answered by Eretz Hemdah, the Institute for Advanced Jewish Studies, Jerusalem, headed by Rav Yosef Carmel and Rav Moshe Ehrenreich, founded by HaRav Shaul Yisraeli zt”l, to prepare rabbanim and dayanim to serve the National Religious community in Israel and abroad. Ask the Rabbi is a joint venture of the OU, Yerushalayim Network, Eretz Hemdah... and OU Israel’s Torah Tidbits.

and many stemming from one. Rav Yisraeli also explained the idea of machshilan le’atid lavo (see Rosh Hashana 21b; Eiruvin 44b; Rambam, Shabbat 2:23). If someone went to save a life, he may violate Shabbat (to what extent is a machloket) in returning so that people will agree to save lives on future Shabbatot. Chazal deemed this as a case where we should view the future danger from the reaction to a strict halachic ruling in the present as a concern to consider in the present. How should an individual citizen act in the realm of situations like these? Certainly, one with a public role must follow leniencies that stem from the public outlook. For example, a soldier on guard duty must not refuse to violate Shabbat to do this, even if he is correct that the chance of a dangerous infiltrator around his post are extremely low. If he did, the system would not work! Even regular citizens, for example, during Covid, were required to avoid infection as instructed, even if by age/health, they were not significantly endangered by the virus, because they

were endangering others. Even regarding protecting only one’s own life, especially as part of a war effort, the rules of safety that citizens are demanded to take as part of the home front element of the war are binding and justify chillul Shabbat. However, in most cases of safety recommendations for individuals (which Halacha generally views positively), Shabbat violations are not justified if the danger involved is objectively tiny and the average person is not concerned about it (I purposely avoid examples).

Having a dispute? For a Din Torah in English or Hebrew contact ‘Eretz Hemdah Gazit’ Rabbinical Court: 077-215-8-215 • fax: (02) 537-9626 beitdin@eretzhemdah.org

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OU ISRAEL CENTER 53

TORAH VEHA'ARETZ BY RABBI MOSHE BLOOM INSTITUTE en.toraland.org.il

Terumot and Ma’aserot on the Battlefield One beautiful phenomena since the beginning of the Swords of Iron war is the outpouring of love by Israelis of all stripes, who generously donate to the soldiers at the various outposts and bases. Donations include fresh produce, from which soldiers cannot be sure that terumot and ma’aserot were separated properly (if at all). In light of this, we have received many queries from soldiers wanting to know what the best course of action is. Beit HaOtzar, the ma’aser fund of Torah VeHa’aretz Institute, decided to help soldiers who want to ensure they eat tithed food during combat. Recently, Beit HaOtzar has begun to assign coins for chillul ma’aser sheni and pidyon neta revay for any soldier in need of this service. This free membership to Beit HaOtzar facilitates easy separation of terumot and ma’aserot on produce whose origin is unknown. Soldiers still need to separate more than 1% and recite the text Note that soldiers still must separate a little more than 1% of the produce and recite the formula for separating terumot and ma’aserot (without a berachah). As part of the formula, they say that holiness of ma’aser sheni is transferred to a coin designated on their behalf. Afterwards, all 54 TORAH TIDBITS 1539 / CHAYEI SARA

they need to do is wrap up and dispose the little more than 1%, and the produce is permissible to eat. The formula for separating terumot and ma’aserot can be found on our website Hebrew and English websites (toraland.org.il; en.toraland.org.il). It is gratifying to see that, even though it is a time of war, soldiers still insist on observing the mitzvah of separating terumot and ma’aserot.

The Weekly Podcast

WHAT DOES JUDAISM SAY ABOUT….?

by

Rabbi Dr. Nachum Amsel will discuss each week an issue about the war that people are asking about. Each topic has a 5-minute abridged version & full 30-minute podcast. This Week’s Podcast:

The Jewish Attitude to War in General

You can find the podcast on Apple, Spotify or Yutorah.org

For questions, write whatdoesjudaismsayabout@gmail.com

OU ISRAEL CENTER 55

Puah for Fertility and RABBI GIDEON Machon Gynecology in Accordance with Halacha WEITZMAN

Challenging Situations for Challenging Times Last time we discussed the Likrat Kallah program that enables brides to go to the mikvah before their wedding, with constant accompaniment from PUAH and medical expert advice from our medical team. As the war started, couples started to get married under complex circumstances and PUAH was a valuable resource for such couples. In the first two weeks of the war over 30 couples were helped by PUAH to get to the mikvah before their hurried wedding. On average PUAH helped with more than two weddings every day. Each couple received counseling, a tailor-made plan from the doctors and access to PUAH’s experts when necessary. It quickly became clear that the same system can be used to help wives of soldiers who are fighting on the frontlines and who receive a few hours of leave to visit their homes. It is extremely important to give these exhausted troops the ability to have physical contact with their wives during these short respites in the fighting and time on the front. PUAH offered this service for all women who wanted, and, in the first two weeks of the war, over 300 women turned to PUAH seeking expert advice. PUAH provided counseling for 56 TORAH TIDBITS 1539 / CHAYEI SARA

these couples and made every effort to find halachic leniencies to enable the women to go to the mikvah or preserve a state of purity. When necessary and the women requested it, our doctors were able to prescribe medicine. Unfortunately, PUAH was not able to solve every case and the PUAH Rabbis and counselors were faced with extremely difficult cases. Couples were reunited for short periods but were not able to give each other physical support and comfort. The Rabbis supported and empowered the couples that were faced with these challenges, and were able to give emotional support and encouragement, even when they were not able to touch. Such counseling sessions proved the true inner strength and resilience of Am Yisrael. Couples knew that following the halacha was the correct thing to do, even when it was not always the easiest thing to do. It was so inspiring for myself and the other PUAH Rabbis to hear the deep desire of Jews to get halachic guidance even in these most trying times and complex realities. It is also a source of strength to know that halacha and God’s word guides us through these challenging times and difficult conditions. We see every day how the claim Am Yisrael Chai is not just a pleasant slogan but a beautiful reality.

UNITED WE STAND NOW MORE THAN EVER. DONATE TO SAVE LIVES.

Israelrescue.org/israel-at-war

OU ISRAEL CENTER 57

THE DAILY BY SIVAN RAHAV-MEIR THE DAILY BY SIVAN RAHAV-MEIR PORTION To receive Sivan Rahav-Meir's daily WhatsApp: PORTION http://tiny.cc/DailyPortion

International Shabbat Sparks from International BiblePeople Quiz of the South Bible Quiz Champions Champions Speak Speak

We spent Shabbat in the Neve Ilan Hotel in the Judean Hills with hundreds of residents from the Gaza periphery and other southern communities. On this memorable Much excitement has surrounded EmuShabbat, sparks of inspiration came from nah Cohen and Neta the two Emufresh Much excitement hasLax, surrounded the following: winners of the International Bible nah Cohen andannual Neta Lax, the two fresh Prayer. Lighting Shabbat candles is always Quiz. Yesterday I interviewed themBible and winners of the annual International inspiring, but especially at this time. There heard their story. Quiz. Yesterday I interviewed them and is a sense that all of our private prayers are It turns that they studied long hours heard theirout story. being combined into a single large collective together and werethey confident It turns out that studiedthey long would hours prayer. Thanks to whoever composed a be the leading competitors. "We planned together and were confident they would special prayer for the hostages that all of us on the winning together," Emunah be leading competitors. "We revealed. planned recited with passionate longing. "We thought both of us would answer every on winning together," Emunah revealed. History. On Shabbat I heard stories that question correctly sous that we would both be "We thought both of would answer every will soon be written about as part of our champions, tied forso first question correctly thatplace. we would both be history -- how Moshav Shokeda and Kibbutz But in thetied endfor Emunah won. "They made champions, first place. Zikim and Kibbutz Yad Mordechai were a big about big hug after"They I lost,"made Neta Butdeal in the endour Emunah won. saved. Members of the rapid response team said. "But it was the easiest thing to share in a big deal about our big hug after I lost," Neta of Shokeda watched from their roofs in horher happiness. Besides, we were just relieved said. "But it was the easiest thing to share in ror as the adjacent Kibbutz Be'eri was going thathappiness. the competition was over." her Besides, wefinally were just relieved up in flames. They feared that they could be In the course of the entire contest, Emunah that the competition was finally over." next. What exactly happened there? This is made only one of error. "I knew the answer to In the course the entire contest, Emunah a story that is yet to be told. the question: 'When King the David cry for made only one error.did "I knew answer to Hope. I asked the teenagers to describe the question: 'When did APT. King David cry for 4 ROOM RENTAL, theirNETANYA present feelings in one word. One said Nitza Blvd, 1 month min. Amazing sea view, "process." One "test." They understand NETANYA 4said ROOM APT. RENTAL, kosher, furnished: May, June, July 2023 Blvd, 1 month min.short Amazing sea view, thatNitza something extraordinary happening from September 2023 or is long term kosher, furnished: May, June, July 2023 APTNETANYA@GMAIL.COM in the here and now. One of the girls told me from September 2023 short or long term that the most difficult moment was when they APTNETANYA@GMAIL.COM 58 TORAH TIDBITS 1539 / CHAYEI SARA

the first time?' Yet I simply forgot it. I thought afterwards thatYet HaShem forget the first time?' I simplycaused forgotme it. Ito thought the answer in order to remind me that I do afterwards that HaShem caused me to forget not answer know everything, I amme human the in order tothat remind that Iand do not perfect." not know everything, that I am human and "The more you learn," Neta said, "the easier not perfect." were told that they would be in the hotel until it gets. youlearn," learn aNeta lot ofsaid, Tanach "TheWhen more you "the(Bible) easier Hanukkah, but then her friend said that this you simply see how everything connects it gets. When you learn a lot of Tanach (Bible) was also the easiest moment since she now to your life. Isee truly felteverything that what Iconnects learned you simply how understood that she had to adapt, to step back, accompanied wherever went.I learned It made to your life. I me truly felt that Iwhat to take a breath. This morning, by the way, the my heart feel good." accompanied me wherever I went. It made kids will finally start to study in a classroom Inheart closing, declared: "The two of us my feelNeta good." again. Where? In the school for instruction will to study the "The Tanach. In continue closing, Neta declared: twoThere of us about the Holocaust at Yad Vashem. were parts of the Tanach that were not in the will continue to study the Tanach. There Soul-searching. I was embarrassed when material covered by the quiz, importwere parts of the Tanach that and wereit's not in the a resident father of Zikim told me about the ant for us to learn them too." material covered by the quiz, and it's importroutine messages he was getting on his cell And had this recommendation: ant for Emunah us to learn them too." phone: "The explosions that you heard are "Study the Biblehad for this 5 minutes every day. And Emunah recommendation: from Hamas training exercises. Continue Not for school, not for the Bible quiz, butday. just "Study the Bible for 5 minutes every with your routine as usual." Why exactly for how much fun it will Not for school, not for thebe." Bible quiz, but just were they training? His children now have for how much fun it will be." theSivan ability to reach room and within Rahav-Meir is atheir mediasafe personality Married to were Yedidya,born the mother of 15 lecturer. seconds. They under Sivan Rahav-Meir is a media personality and the five. Lives in Jerusalem, and formerly served lecturer. Marriedattack, to Yedidya, the mother ofconthreat ofWorld missile butto must as the Mizrachi Shlicha Norththey Amerfive. Lives in Jerusalem, and formerly served tinue live lectures like this? have we been ica.toSivan in Where Israel and overseas as the World Mizrachi Shlicha to North Amerabout the media, Judaism, Zionism and new all these years? ica. Sivan lectures in Israel and overseas media. She was voted by Globes newspaper about the media, Judaism,what Zionismgives and new Strength. I asked them as most popular female media personality in media. One She was voted by Globes newspaper strength. of the girls said: Israel and by the Jerusalem Post as"My one parents." of the as most popular female media personality in 50 most influential Jews inanswers the world. I received many other Israel and by the Jerusalem Post as oneand of thethen 50 most influential Jews thefirst world. another girl said that ininthe days of the war the residents of her moshav went to live in Arad where a community of Gur Chasidim looked after them. Afterwards they stayed at the Sde Boker Field School where they got close to the local community. "I OU ISRAEL CENTER

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am in great distress since I cannot be in my home," the girl admitted, "but exposure to the true people of Israel gives strength." Future: On Shabbat afternoon, a boy sat and studied for his Bar Mitzvah. His Torah portion is Korach and it's half a year away. He does not know where he will celebrate this event but he diligently continues to practice for it all the same.

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TORAH 4 TEENS BY TEENS NCSY ISRAEL Rose Schwartz Gush Etzion Chapter Director

Fighting for our Values In parshat Chayei Sarah, before sending her off to marry Yitzchak, Lavan gives his sister Rachel a bracha. He says:

‫אחתנו את היי לאלפי רבבה וירש זרעך את שער שנאיו‬ Our sister, be the mother of thousands of ten thousands and may your offspring inherit the gate of their enemies. (24:60) On this pasuk, Rashi asks why did Lavan not give Rivka a bracha that she should have no enemies at all? Rashi answers that having no enemies may not necessarily be a good sign. People who have and hold something of value are people who generally have enemies. Lavan gives a bracha to Rivka that she should merit in having many descendants come from her who live rich lives filled with meaning and success knowing that it would bring upon them enemies. In that, he gives her a bracha that her descents should have the strength to overcome their enemies, and that their criticisms should be to no avail. As Jews living in our homeland of Israel, we have built lives for ourselves full of Torah- lives full of happiness and success through our constant striving to create lives of Torah values. We have enemies because as a people our lives are intertwined with the source of our great value, the Torah. May Am Yisrael have the strength and fortitude to overcome our 62 TORAH TIDBITS 1539 / CHAYEI SARA

enemies, and may we return to building rich lives steeped in Torah values.

Ilana Weinberg 11th grade, Efrat

Learning From Avraham Avinu

The beginning of Parshat ‫ חיי שרה‬is dedicated to Sarah Emainu. Everything that is being done is in the name of Sarah. We read in the first aliyah and the beginning of second aliyah how Avraham looks for the best place to bury Sarah. Then there is the negotiations to purchase the land and it ends off with him buying the land and burying her. Avraham did all this after mourning the loss of his wife as we see in the end of Pasuk 2 and the beginning of Pasuk 3

”‫ ויקם אברהם‬:‫“ויבוא אברהם לספד לשרה ולבכותה‬ We learn from Avraham that even after we lose so much, we need to get up and do. Doing is part of the healing process. In recent times, we as a nation have lost so much! We lost valuable people. People have lost their loved ones. Others have lost their homes and everything they had. We are all mourning that loss. This loss is only bringing us closer together. A feeling we haven’t felt in a long time. Not that long ago, we felt the separation between us and now we see everyone going out of their way for others. Whether it is in donations, helping our soldiers, sending notes, food, gear, etc., hosting families and keeping them company… We are all working

that bringing home a Report Card with all “A’s” on academic subjects will bring SHABBAT HAGADOL them a reward but getting all “A’s” on together asside a united Everything we the Midot will nation. bring even a greater BY RABBI DR. TZVI HERSH WEINREB are doing now is dedicated to all those we OU Executive Vice President, Emeritus reward. are mourning and lost. Thisneed Dvar Torah is dedicated in loving memoryand We to take Avraham’s strength of Yita bat Shlomo, Rav Aharon Ziegler’s mother learn from him how to move forward. We whose yahrzeit is on Shavuot. need to continue building an even stronger nation. What the future holds for us is greater people. Had the men had their way this Torah Tidbits extends a mazal tov to Rav Ziegler than webook have used to and onanything his upcoming of been Torah Derashot, “The we would be the end of the children of Israel, Bricks canSapphire only face it asofaTorah” strong nation, together. who would have perished before we could !‫עם ישראל חי! שבת שלום ומבורך‬ become an independent nation. But the women had a different attitude; One person’s trash is another • Curtains & draperies they were not willing to surrender to the Our Sages tell us that we were redeemed person’s treasure… • Designer curtains Wednesday November 15th, 7:30pm evil decree, they refused toblinds succumb to the from Egyptold on sifrei the merit of thejudaica righteous • Venetian & Woven wood WeAddress buy kodesh, by:men Rabbi Alexwere Mondrow sadistic ruler of Egypt. They enticed women. The inDr. Egypt enslaved, • Blackout, Vertical, Roller, Roman & their gold, silver, coins, collectables, husbands and continued to give birth to both physically and mentally; their morale Pleated shades banknotes, antiques and more… boys and girls. Many were killed and some was extremely low, as it seemed that there were able to get away, but the Jewish peowas no hope and no prospect of ever leavShir Hadash, 1 Yakov Rubin Street Jerusalem ple as a whole survived, due to the tenacity ing Egypt.Sponsored In addition, Paro had given the by the Kehillot of: www.ashleywilde.co.il Ran: 054-5561223 and determination of Jewish women. midwife's explicit instructions killHadash all the Migdal HaShoshanim, Ohel Nehama &toShir While the Midrashic story highlights the male children, and, when they disobeyed OU ISRAEL CENTER 81 achievements and unswerving faith of our his orders, he simply commanded his serNACHI REALTY 054-461-3943 incredible Jewish women, it also emphavants and soldiers to go and find Jewish New on the Market in Rechavia! Ground floor completely accessible, spacious & airy, sizes that the future of the Jewish people is male babies and kill them. 4 rooms, 10m mirpeset, parking, tons of potential, 2 entrances soon the the 3rd bedroom canJewish be used as a dependent birth of children. Jewish men were distraught, asking clinic /office or studio unit. 4.17m NIS Without babies being born the Jewish peothemselves whether it was even worth it Great family apartment in the best part of Katamonim ple cannot survive. to continue having children, who would Spacious 4.5 rooms, 100m with a 9m Sukka mirpeset, one floor up, good shape, 4 exposures, newly renovated This is the reason why Seder night is inevitably die at the hands of their cruel bathrooms. 3.37m NIS centered on children, and on passing the Egyptian masters. They separated from For Rent in Rechavia 2 rooms on from Rashba one street,generation good shape, 1 floor up, next. Now also seeingstopped patients at the tradition to the their wives, having children, and spacious, small building, mirpeset, 5400/month NIS LaBriut Health Center in RBS 02-970-1100 The Torah instructs us "and you shall tell waited for the fateful demise of the Jewish

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