YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayera
Tests may consist of feats of strength, or they may be feats of belief – or both. In last week’s sedra, Avraham took on a powerful array of kings and almost single-handedly defeated them. Because he was engaged in a great Mitzva – Pidyon Sh’Vuyim, rescuing Lot, his captive nephew – Avraham was sure that he would receive Divine assistance in winning the day.
In this week’s Sedra, Avraham is tested several times. He extends himself to a trio of strangers, showing them Chesed; yet he also acquiesces in the banishment of his son Yishmael, at the urging of his wife Sarah. It’s no simple thing to open your home to those in need; & it was also extremely painful to expel a son, even one that had displayed some very unsavory habits.
Avraham nearly loses Sarah, when she is kidnapped & taken hostage, & then, almost ironically, he must face the challenge of offering his & Sarah’s son as a human sacrifice. In the end, Avraham is spared by Hashem from executing Yitzchak, yet he (& we!) are still given eternal credit for his readiness to do so.
"Ma’aseh Avot siman l’banim," we say. The actions of our ancestors point our way throughout history. Dramatically, the incidents & lessons in our Parsha are particularly true today.
We are a merciful, kind people – Rachamin Bnei Rachamin. We go out of our way for strangers, & Jewish intelligence & ingenuity have blessed this world with innumerable gifts (see: Jewish Nobel Prize winners). But we also know when to keep our distance from those individuals – even our relatives – who represent an antithesis of our moral values. And we are prepared to sublimate our own beliefs to a Higher Mind, even to the extent that we will risk our own family in the process.
Israel today is facing one of its greatest tests. We are confronted by an animalistic, barbaric enemy that has breached our gates one time too many. Our natural bent towards mercy must be forcibly counteracted & we must show no compassion to these forces of evil. They must be confronted & utterly destroyed - for all of humanity’s benefit, as well as for our own.
G-d forbid, we may have to risk the lives of our extended family, even the sacrifice of those we love most, to achieve this historic victory. Placed in no-win situations by a despicable, moral-less foe, we will have to make many excruciatingly hard decisions that test our
resolve & require all the courage we can muster. We will have to steel ourselves, Avraham & Sarah-like, to subjugate our personal desires for the good of the nation.
Avraham’s first command was "Lech-Lecha," which can mean "go out of yourself." We, too, must be prepared to leave our comfort zones & do whatever must be done to defeat the enemy. With Hashem’s help, we shall emerge victorious, eradicate evil & save ourselves – & the world.
WE WILL OVERCOME THE ENEMIES AT OUR DOOR AND,
WITH HASHEM’S MIGHT AT OUR SIDE, WE WILL PREVAIL AND GO ON FOREVER.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
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.
