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- Torah Portion and Tanach
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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Asher Ben Haim
The former description of Avraham comes in the context of Hashem’s decision to allow Avraham to intercede on behalf of the people of S’dom. The latter is Hashem’s explanation of the merit through which the role of the Chosen Nation would be bestowed upon Avraham’s offspring. Indeed, Avraham had a dual role. He was the founder of a nation dedicated to the service of Hashem on the highest level. He was also an "av hamon goyim" (the father of a multitude of nations), who taught belief in G-d and basic morality to any nation or person who was willing to listen.
If one views the content of the praises he will see that each is appropriate for its context. It was Avraham the world leader who was allowed to intercede on behalf of S’dom. He had a legacy as a man who taught charity and justice so that his followers could follow the way of Hashem. These were two attributes that S’dom had not internalized, to speak mildly. Yet, Avraham was given the opportunity to try to convince Hashem that the situation was salvageable, which it was not.
However, these attributes were not the basis for the nation that Avraham would found. The Chosen Nation would have to accept and fulfill a full regimen of strict observances (ibid.). Avraham led the way in this regard, as Chazal (Kiddushin 82a) learned from this pasuk that he observed all the Torah’s intricate laws before they were given. This accomplished two things. First, it gave Avraham merit, which made him deserve the nation. Second, it inculcated in his offspring a proclivity toward success in this demanding area, which came in good stead at Sinai and beyond.
We must remember that the two elements of Avraham’s legacy are incorporated in one person. The same person who followed his Maker by loving charity and justice was also disciplined enough to keep the myriad intricacies of halacha. Similarly, vice versa is true. In fact, we could point to the order of the occurrences in the Torah and apply the rule of "derech eretz kadma laTorah" (a proper approach toward people is a prerequisite to excellence in Torah). May the children of Avraham not settle for excellence in humanism or religiosity but strive for excellence in both and learn to incorporate them harmoniously as people and a nation.
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
P'ninat Mishpat A Non-Contractor in Changing Times – part I
(based on ruling 85128 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Moreshet Shaul Our King on Rosh Hashana, Our Father on Yom Kippur.
Based on Aroch Siach, p. 221 (Rav Shaul Yisraeli)
