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One of the recurring problems faced by the Avot and Imahot is the raising of children, one of the toughest tests Hashem sets before us. Avraham and Sara struggle regarding what to do about Yishmael, born to Hagar, who served as a surrogate for Sara. Sara feels Yishmael is a bad influence on Yitzchak, and wants him banished from the household, along with Hagar. Avraham feels differently - the Torah pointedly says this decision "was bad in Avraham's eyes" - yet Hashem says that Sara's request must be granted. In the course of history, this event will contribute to the animosity between Bnei Yisrael and Egypt - Hagar, after all, was an Egyptian princess - and is even cited as one cause of our slavery in Mitzrayim.
In our sedra, there is a clear difference of opinion between Yitzchak and Rivka regarding their twins. The pasuk spells it out: "And Yitzchak loved Esav.....while Rivka loved Yakov." The resulting incident of the B'chora will lead to total estrangement in the family, as Yakov flees his home and Rivka, understandably, cannot have a relationship with Esav. This, too, has cosmic repercussions, as Esav/Edom becomes an eternal nemesis of the Jewish People.
And then there is Yakov and his children. Yakov miscalculates by favoring Yosef; the Gemara (Shabbat 10b) quotes Rav who says "A parent should never single out one son among many, for on account of 2 sela's worth of silk (the Coat of Many Colors) Yosef's brothers became jealous, which resulted in our descent to Egypt." The schism between brothers is a tragedy that plagues us throughout history, to this very day; a kind of malevolent spiritual herpes - the curse that keeps on giving.
Is it any wonder that the Kohen Gadol, when entering the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur to secure atonement for the nation, was first required to reconcile with himself, and his own family? Change the world? That's a tough assignment. But change ourselves, and keep our family together in love? That challenge may be even tougher.
Harav Avraham Yitzchak Hacohen Kook What Makes Rav Kook Into Such a "Game-Changer"?
An Overview of His Personality & Writings in Honor of His Yahrtzeit
Rabbis in Midrash
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Hosha'ana Rabba FLYDUBAI & HOSHANA RABBA- ANI VAHU HOSHIA NA- I & HIM SAVE US
"Ani vaHu Hoshia Na", "I and Him, Save Us". We don't just pray to Him, but we also pray to and for ourselves that we should emulate and educate our children to have that instinctive altruism with which He created the world. President Trump seemed amused about Yaniv Hayon, our PLUMBER who confidently worked with G-d like Superman (he learned from a pilot on a TV show!) to save 174 lives on the Dubai hijacking, but we in Israel are totally accustomed already 78 years to our plumbers, teachers, garbage-men, rabbis, farmers & doctors being Hashem's shlichim! This is what Zionism is about.
Moreshet Shaul Hashem Is your Shadow – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 420 – an address from 1941
