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?

Parshat Lech Lecha - All our actions count

In this weeks Parsha we read about an escapee that reports to Avram that his nephew Lot was taken captive. After hearing this, Avram quickly gathers his forces to liberate Lot and save Sodom. He ends up successful on both accounts. 

Who was this reporter? What ever happened to him? And is there a message that we can learn from his story?

According the Midrash, this person was Og, the King of Bahsan. He lived for many years after surviving the flood. This was the same King Og that Moshe was afraid of when the Jewish People were preparing to conquer Canaan. The Gemera explains that Moshe was afraid that the merit of saving Lot's life would protect Og when the Jewish People came to attack. 

Interestingly, the Midrash elaborates on the reason why Og reported to Avram about Lot. His plan was for Avram to hear his report, and then to go to war and die in the battle. This would leave Sarah without a husband and Og would marry her. We see that even though Og did it for a different reason there still was a reward. 

We can not understand how rewards are given out by Hashem. Things that we might see as small and minor might be really remarkable and great. Things that we might think deserve no reward or recognition might really deserve a great reward and high praise.  There is no way to know how Hashem works with reward and punishment. We can only choose to do the right thing  - big or small.  

Parshat Noach - Self Confidence

Self confidence is a very popular phrase in the mental health world. Oxford Dictionary defines self confidence as "a feeling of trust in one's abilities, qualities, and judgment." If you were to google the phrase 'building self confidence' you would get over 27 million results. People claim that this is the most important skill to imbue within our children. I believe that this claim is correct. 

Here are some quotes about self confidence that show it's importance. "Confidence comes naturally with success, but success only comes to those that are confident," "What matters most is how you see yourself," "Don't let anyone dull your sparkle."

There are many personalities in Tanakh that exhibited self confidence. Noach, Yosef, Moshe, Shaul, Jonah are just a few who at times showed tremendous self confidence, but at other times showed low or little self confidence. When researching on this, I started with Noach and found an amazing point in the Kedushat Halevi by Reb Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev (1740–1810).

Noach understood that there is power to Tefillah. If he truly understood this, why did he not pray to save the people of his generation from the flood? Or why didn't he pray for the decree to be nullified?

The Kedushat HaLevi explains that there are two types of tzaddikim in the world. One that serves Hashem with a lot of passion, but he uses his connection to Gd for himself. This type of tzaddik does not bring people closer to God. The other type of tzaddik is one that serves God and also brings back evil sinners to serve god. Avarham was an example of this type of tzaddik.

Noach was on a very high level as a Tzadik, but he did not have confidence in himself. He looked at himself says the Keshhat Halevi, as small or low in his own eyes. He thought that he was similar to the other people of his generation. He did not think he could pray for the generation and save them, so he did not. And that is what Rashi means according to the Kedushat Halevi in the phrase "אף נח מקטני אמנה היה", Noach did not believe in himself.

The lesson from here is that there are two ways to serve Hashem. The first is to believe in Him wholeheartedly, and believe that He makes the best decisions for our lives. The second, which is equally, or possibly more, important, is that we need to be confident in our own abilities and talents. These talents were given to each one of us by Hashem, so instead of only relying on Hashem to make decisions that can help us, we need to be confident in our own abilities to succeed in life. This confidence can help us accomplish great things, and can carry us through great times and harder times. The same way that we need to believe in Hashem we need to believe in ourselves too. We need to have self confidence.

Parshat Nitzavim - Pre Rosh Hashana

In, Parshat Nitzavim, Moshe delivers one of his last last messages to Bnai Yisrael his death and Bnai Yisrael enters Eretz Yisrael.

Moshe tells them:

כִּי הַמִּצְוָה הַזֹּאת, אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוְּךָ הַיּוֹם--

לֹא-נִפְלֵאת הִוא מִמְּךָ, וְלֹא רְחֹקָה הִוא

For this commandment which I command you this day, is not concealed from you, nor is it far away. (Deuteronomy 30:11-14)

What is “this Mitzvah” that Moshe is speaking about that is not far away from us but is very close?  The Ramban explains that this verse is connected to the previous speech of Moshe. A few pasukim earlier, we find Moshe teaching about the Mitzvah of Teshuva  

כִּי תָשׁוּב אֶל-יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, בְּכָל-לְבָבְךָ וּבְכָל-נַפְשֶׁךָ.

“and you will return to the Lord, your G-d, with all your heart and with all your soul".                     (Deuteronomy 30:10). The mitzva Moshe is referring to is the commandment of teshuva, or repentance. This is the commandment that is not far from us, it is actually very close to us. Rabbinu Yonah in his classic work Sha'arei Teshuvah asks the question, “ How could it be that doing Tehsuva is so close to us and easy?

He explains that when people decide to do stop doing something bad  and does the right thing, at that moment we exit darkness and enter great light. It is that close and that simple. When we decide to do the right thing and turn to it, we are on the right path immediately. So Teshuva is really close.

For example, If we were  having indoor recess and someone asks to play a game with us. We turn them away and refuse. The other person feels bad. If we recognize it and just turn our body slightly and say I will play, we have made  that turn toward doing the right thing. That is what Rabbnu Yona is saying will immediately put you in a good light. It might take us a long time to do the right thing more often but we are going in the right direction.  I hope that we are all able to turn the wheel slightly and reach out to that Mitvah of Teshuva that is literally right around the corner.

(This Dvar Torah was based on a article in the Jerusalem Post)