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One of Hashem’s names is Makom (the Place), as we say in the prayer of Acheinu, "the Makom should have mercy on them…" The source for this usage appears to be in the gemara in Shabbat (12b), where Rabbi Yehuda said that one who visits the sick should say "the Makom should have mercy on you and all those who are sick in Israel." A much earlier source for this Name may actually be hinted at in our parasha.
In the section that describes Yaakov’s special stay in Beit El, the most frequently repeated word is "makom," referring to the place where these events transpired. This word signifies that the place was a special, sacred one. The sanctity is not a function of human intervention but of the presence of the shechina (Divine Presence), which, Yaakov found out in his dream, existed there.
As was hinted in the gemara above, the shechina is also present at the bedside of the ill, as the pasuk says, "Hashem will support him on his bed of anguish" (Tehillim 41:4 – see this week’s Ein Ayah). Hashem is there to give strength to the sick person, and, for that reason, one who visits should act with the respect due to such a holy setting. That is why the prayer said there includes the name Makom.
Is it possible to induce the shechina to come to other places where we would like it? The answer may be found in the continuation of our parasha, when Yaakov responded to Hashem’s tidings for him. Yaakov made an oath that, in response to his success, he would "give to Hashem" a tenth of what he received (Bereishit 28:20-22). This oath is the basis for the generations’ old minhag to give one tenth of one’s total income to tzedaka. These funds do not become sacred and they are used, not for sacrifices or the like, but for acts of kindness toward Hashem’s creations. This is an example of imitatio dei, copying divine traits such as visiting the sick (see Tanchuma, Vayishlach 10).
One who acts in such a generous way has "Hashem with him," as Yaakov described. Such a person can go up and down the "ladders" that Hashem made, as the Tanchuma (ibid.) describes that Yaakov went to Aram without as much as a pillow for his head and came back from Lavan’s house as a rich man. When one uses his money properly, he does not need angels and physical ladders. As Rashi says in the gemara above, when one, such as a sick person, is privileged to be visited by the shechina, he does not need angels to aid his prayers.
May we always merit being in the right makom, doing the right things, and thereby acquiring the ladders that we need to continuously ascend.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
