Dvar Torah - Parshat Vayeitzei

וְהִנֵּ֤ה סֻלָּם֙ מֻצָּ֣ב אַ֔רְצָה וְרֹאשׁ֖וֹ מַגִּ֣יעַ הַשָּׁמָ֑יְמָה וְהִנֵּה֙ מַלְאֲכֵ֣י אֱלֹקים עֹלִ֥ים וְיֹרְדִ֖ים בּֽוֹ׃

And Yaakov dreamed of a ladder planted in the ground and its top reached the heavens. And there were angels of G-d going up and down the ladder. (28:12)

This pasuk is very difficult to comprehend. When speaking of Angels that live in the heavens it should typically say that they are coming “down” the ladder first, and then going back “up.”  Many meforshim try to explain the wording of this pasuk.

Rashi explains that there were certain Angels that always stayed with Yaakov when he was in Eretz Yisrael. Now that he was exiting the land, they needed to leave him and go back up. Once the Angels that protected him in Eretz Yisrael went back up, the ones needed to protect him in Chutz La’aretz came down.

The Midrash interprets the ladder dream as a picture of the descendants of Yaakov. Moshe on the one side going up the ladder, and Korach on the other side descending the ladder. This makes sense since Moshe ascended to heaven at Har Sinai, and Korach was swallowed up by the earth as a punishment for his sin. But why this picture for Yaakov?

Rav Mordechai Ilan the former dayan of Tel Aviv explains this Midrash as a metaphor for the Jewish people. When we are doing the right thing we rise to the heights of the stars in Heaven, but when we do wrong, we descend to the level of dust. We can never be still. We are always moving on the ladder of good and bad, progressing and regressing. The ladder symbolizes the range for the Jewish People from the top of ladder, like Moshe, to the bottom of the ladder planted in the earth, like Korach. We know that we are not perfect, but we hope that we are closer to the top of ladder, near Moshe, than the bottom, near Korach.

So, why does the Torah start with the angels going up the ladder?  The Torah is encouraging us and telling us to be positive and self confident so we can achieve the heights of the ladder. Therefore, the torah starts at the top of the ladder, at greatness. The Torah then warns us about what happens when the correct path is not taken,  ultimately it leads to descent on the ladder.

Each of us should live our lives trying to make it to the top. Take the hint from the Torah and stay positive that we can make it there!

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Steven Penn

Dvar Torah - Parshat Toldot

Dvar Torah Parshat Toldot

There are two different kinds of runners. Those who can run for miles, and those who excel in sprinting. Many people who chose to sprint, do so because they do not have the stamina to keep themselves running for longer than a 100 yard dash. Stamina is something which could be built up. Someone who has only been able to sprint can train himself to be able to run an entire marathon.  As an athlete it is important to constantly be working on yourself and building up what you are able to do.

The premise of this week's Parsha, which we all know very well, is that Yaakov and Esav are born to Rivkah Imeinu."וַיִּתְרֹֽצֲצ֤וּ הַבָּנִים֙ בְּקִרְבָּ֔הּ"    Before these twins are even born, there is an internal struggle that is felt by Rivkah. While trying to understand this conflict, she turns to Hashem to get words of comfort. Hashem explains that there are two different nations that are inside of her, and that one will become stronger than the other.

The twins are born as very different people, each with his own strengths and weaknesses. Both Yaakov and Esav were born with assets and shortcomings. Esav was born as a very strong person, and he spends his life using that strength in many things he does. Yaakov was a very sweet and calm person, who was not born with the same strength that Esav is born with.

Over the course of their lives, Yaakov recognizes that he has some shortcomings, and builds on those areas. By the end of the Parsha, Yaakov has learned how to fight for himself and be brave. Esav was born with many good and bad qualities but he never attempts to change the weaknesses in his life.

Each of us are born with our own strengths and weaknesses. It is a great thing to embellish on our strengths, as they were given to us for a reason. But it is also important for us to look at ourselves and realize that we have some weaknesses as well. Each of these weaknesses is something we could work on and make better.

Yaakov and Esav were twins - they had equal potential. One went on the be a father of the Jewish people, someone who our nation, Bnei Yisrael, is name for. The other went on to be something completely different. Each with their strengths and weaknesses, but it was how they managed their weaknesses which made them who they ended up becoming. 

Being Nice and having Patience

Dear PA (Parsha Advisor),

 

I am trying to be nice the new kid in the class, but he is really trying my patience. He always asks me to hang out with him at lunch, recess, bus, school and shabbat!! It’s too much.  I am starting to lose my cool and get angry about it. What should I do? 

HELP !!! :(

Sincerely,

Kid trying to be easygoing

Dear Kid trying to be easygoing,

Let’s look at this week’s Parsha and see if we can find any answers or direction from the actions of Rivkah. In the story - Eliezer, the head of Avraham's household, is in search of a wife for Yitzchak. He makes a deal with Hashem at the well saying, “The girl that gives me water and also offers water to my camels - she is the one for Yitzchak.”

Rav Soloveitchik asks, "Why did Eliezer need to ask a young girl to draw water for the camels, couldn't one of his servants have taken a pitcher down the well and brought up water for the camels?"

The Rav answers that Eliezer was testing Rivkah's patience. She displayed great manners and did not get angry when a newcomer/guest asked from her something that would normally be too much. This trait was very unique, and showed Eliezer that she was fit to be the mother of the nation of Yisrael.

Patience is a trait that is in our genes. We are supposed to be slow to anger and have patience. Good things come to those who practice these characteristics. I think that your best bet is to be patient and go the extra mile for your new friend. It will pay off in the end.

Shabbat Shalom,

PA

Impact the World with your Actions

 iPad, iHome, selfies etc. We live in a world and a generation where our whole world revolves

around what we want and what we’re doing.

In this week’s parsha, Parshat Vayeira, we are reminded time and time again about Avraham’s selflessness.Avraham is tested over and over, but each time he puts aside the human instinct to think about himself. In those moments he chooses to think about the greater good and the impact that his actions can have on the world.

At the end of last week’s parsha, Avraham, at the age of 99, is commanded to give all the members of his household a  Brit Milah. He does this to everyone and to himself. In that moment, Hashem gave him every opportunity to take care of himself. Avraham was sick and Hashem made it hot outside, so that Avraham would be inclined to remain in his tent and relax. Avraham does the exact opposite. He sits outside in the scolding hot weather and waits for people to pass by. He longed to do Hachnasat Orchim, the mitzvah that he so famous for doing. Hashem, seeing how eager Avraham is to do this mitzvah, sends three angels to come visit Avraham. Each angel comes with his own message. The first one comes to heal Avraham. The second comes to bring the great news that in a year’s  time, Sarah will give birth to a son. And the last was a messenger to tell Avraham that Sodom was going to be destroyed.Each comes with an important message, but which one does Avraham spend the most energy thinking about? He is thinking about the one who said that Sodom was going to be destroyed. He was just told that he was going to have a son, after waiting all this time, and he is concerned for the possible Tzaddikim in Sodom. He even begins bargaining with Hashem, trying to make deals to save the people that live there. Again, Avraham puts his own happiness aside to think about the plight of others. Lastly, Hashem asks Avraham to bring his precious son as a Korban. We all know how the story goes, he does this without hesitating. He gets up early and quickly goes to fulfil the word of Hashem. Again, the natural instinct to think about himself in this moment is not even a thought for him.

Avraham designated his life to serving Hashem and helping the people around him. If we could take one message from this week’s Parsha, it should be to think about our lives and see if we can find appropriate opportunities to do this. Is  there anyone that we could help even if we have something of our own to do? Can we put our own agendas on the side for a couple of minutes and do something which could have an impact on others?