Chazal tell us that Avraham was supposed to live until the age of 180 years. In order not to see Esav stray off the right path- which happened when Esav turned 13, Hashem took away five years from him and he died at the age of 175 years. R' Yossef Chaim Zonnefeld explains, that is why the Torah expresses Yitzchoks teffilas in such a strong manor. The consequences of Yitzchoks teffilas being answered at the time that they were meant that Avraham was going to have to die five years before his time. R' Yossef Chaim added that the gematria of the words 'Vayosar lo Hashem'- and Hashem listened to his prayers, is 748- which is also the exact value of the words 'Chomish shanim'- five years.The price Yitchok payed for his prayers to be heard was five years of his Father Avrahams life. This was told over to R' Aron Kotler Zatzal- whose yartziet is this Shabbos- his reaction was that this vort had to been of said with Ruach Hakodesh.
Lzchus, Aryeh Leibish ben Elta Nechama Maltshi (Teitelbaum), Bentzion ben Elka (Chroman), Gavriel Noach ben Freida Bluma (Holtzberg), and Rivka bas Yehudis (Holtzberg / Rosenberg), Rochel Golda bas Gittel (Pasikov)
27 November, 2008
20 November, 2008
Parshas Chai Sarah
Hashem blessed Avraham with 'Bakol'- everything. What is the meaning of everything? He obviously didn't own everything in the literal sense, there were things in the world that were owned by other people, so what is the meaning of 'bakol'?
(Yitzchok and Yaakov also received the same blessing and thus we ask for it in bentching to be blessed just like our Avos 'Bakol mekol kol').
Esav made a statement that 'Yesh li rav' I have 'a lot'. Yaakov on the other hand said 'Yesh li kol' I have everything. The answer lies in understanding the difference between these two statements. If you ask anyone how to achieve a positive outlook on life, you would be told to think positive, think of all the good things you have in your life, don't dwell on what you don't have and you will see that the good outweighs the bad. While this outlook is a healthy one, it still has its downfalls, for you'll always have a natural yearning for more. Hashem blessed Avraham with everything- Hashem relieved him of the natural yearning for wanting more, thus there was nothing more that he wanted or could of possibly have- 'Bakol'.
Esav said he has 'a lot' because even though he had what he needed he wanted more. The Avos on the other hand were happy with what they had and received a special blessing of having everything they could possibly want.
(Yitzchok and Yaakov also received the same blessing and thus we ask for it in bentching to be blessed just like our Avos 'Bakol mekol kol').
Esav made a statement that 'Yesh li rav' I have 'a lot'. Yaakov on the other hand said 'Yesh li kol' I have everything. The answer lies in understanding the difference between these two statements. If you ask anyone how to achieve a positive outlook on life, you would be told to think positive, think of all the good things you have in your life, don't dwell on what you don't have and you will see that the good outweighs the bad. While this outlook is a healthy one, it still has its downfalls, for you'll always have a natural yearning for more. Hashem blessed Avraham with everything- Hashem relieved him of the natural yearning for wanting more, thus there was nothing more that he wanted or could of possibly have- 'Bakol'.
Esav said he has 'a lot' because even though he had what he needed he wanted more. The Avos on the other hand were happy with what they had and received a special blessing of having everything they could possibly want.
14 November, 2008
Parshas V'yiarah- Tefilas Avos Tiknu
The Gemora teaches us that the three tfillahs were instituted by the three Avos 'Tefilas Avos tiknu'. Someone (Y.R.) once asked me, why is it that just because the Avos davened are we obligated to daven?
R' Eliyahu Lopian explains the concept of 'Tfillahs Avos tiknu' with a parable. We all know what to do if you want to speak to someone in London- we pick up a phone and just call. Did you ever think about what it took for you to make that call? Someone (Alexander Graham Bell) had to invent the technology, investors were needed to further the idea, companies to run it and to lay down the telephone line or to send up the satellites etc.. After all that work, all we have to do is pick up the phone and dial. That is what the Avos did for us. Avraham invented and set up the technology for the Tefilah of Shachris, Yitzchok and Yaakov did the same for Mincha and Marriv. It is thanks to them that we have the ability to just stand up and talk to our Father in heaven. The Korbanos are what gave us the obligation to pray three times a day. As the Gmorah says that the Tefilas are also in place of the daily sacrifices brought in the Bais Hamikdosh. It was the Avos that gave us the opportunity to daven three times a day.
Point to ponder. Why does the Torah interupt the story of the destruction of Sedom and the salvation of Lot with the posuk that tells us that Avraham instituted Shachris?
R' Eliyahu Lopian explains the concept of 'Tfillahs Avos tiknu' with a parable. We all know what to do if you want to speak to someone in London- we pick up a phone and just call. Did you ever think about what it took for you to make that call? Someone (Alexander Graham Bell) had to invent the technology, investors were needed to further the idea, companies to run it and to lay down the telephone line or to send up the satellites etc.. After all that work, all we have to do is pick up the phone and dial. That is what the Avos did for us. Avraham invented and set up the technology for the Tefilah of Shachris, Yitzchok and Yaakov did the same for Mincha and Marriv. It is thanks to them that we have the ability to just stand up and talk to our Father in heaven. The Korbanos are what gave us the obligation to pray three times a day. As the Gmorah says that the Tefilas are also in place of the daily sacrifices brought in the Bais Hamikdosh. It was the Avos that gave us the opportunity to daven three times a day.
Point to ponder. Why does the Torah interupt the story of the destruction of Sedom and the salvation of Lot with the posuk that tells us that Avraham instituted Shachris?
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