Looking Forward Thoughts on Parshat Vayigash

This week’s parsha includes the climactic moment that we have been waiting for over the past few week’s of parshiyot where Yosef finally reveals himself to his brothers. Not only does Yosef reveal himself to his brother’s however, but explains to them that they should “not be sad, and let it not trouble you that you sold me here, for it was to preserve life that God sent me before you. For already two years of famine [have passed] in the midst of the land, and [for] another five years, there will be neither plowing nor harvest. And G-d sent me before you to make for you a remnant in the land, and to preserve [it] for you for a great deliverance.” (Bereisheit 45:4-7 Torah.org trans.)

To answer this question Rav Lamm quotes the Talmud in Makkot which explains that a Tzaddik lives by their emunah (faith in God). Yosef, explains Rav Lamm, one of the paramount examples of Tzaddikim in the history of our people, we do refer to him as Yosef Hatzaddik after all, lives up to this statement when he forgives his brothers. Despite the Chastization and oppression his brothers had caused him Yosef is able to see the bigger picture. Yosef is able to understand that it was in fact his brothers selling him into slavery which made viceroy in Egypt. As viceroy, Yosef not only saved himself and his family from starvation (the brothers go down to Egypt, the only place with food after Canaan is also struck with famine) but the entire middle east region which is struck with famine as well.

Often in life we, hopefully not to the same extent as Yosef, but still none the less face challenges which at first seem like the worst possible thing that could happen to us which later on turn out to be the biggest blessing God could give to us. May we remember the words of the Talmud in Makkot to live like a Tzaddik with emunah and in the words of Monty Python “ Always look on the bright side of life.”

May Moschiach come soon!

Good Shabbos, Shabbat Shalom, Gut Shabbes-Gidon Herschander Yerushalayim Ir Hakodesh, Tevet, 5775

Keeping the Faith Amongst Tragedy thoughts on Vayishlach and the Past Few Weeks

               

At the beginning of this week’s parsha, Yaacov prepares for an encounter with his brother Eisav whom had previously set out to kill him. As the first step in his preparations Yaacov sends messengers to recap to his brother what he has been up to since they last saw each other. One of the things Yaacov tells the messengers to tell Eisav is that he had lived in the house of Lavan for the last few years (Bereisheit 32:5). Rashi comments on this verse noting the fact that not only did Yaacov live with Lavan but “ The 613 mitzvot he kept.” In other words Yaacov stayed true to the ways of Hashem and his Torah throughout the time he spent in the house of Lavan.Yaacov remained true to the ways of Hashem despite the hardships that he faced both while living with Lavan, in other words all the times Lavan cheats him while there.

 The Jewish peoples current situation in the land of Israel is not the easiest. Over the past few weeks, the ongoing series of attacks which seemed to have calmed down have seemed to unfortunately worsen. However, like Yaacov Avinu we continue to “ Keep the 613 Mitzvot” and strengthen our connection to God and his Torah.

There are many ways which are people have done this. Here however, are some examples I saw just yesterday. Yesterday I attended a wedding of a friend showing our commitment to rebuild our people despite the tragedies we have gone through. Later that night I attended the post wedding festivities which the entire country and for that matter the entire Jewish people were invited in celebration of the wedding of Ariel and Sarah Beigel Wedding at Binyanei Haeumah. For those who do not know Sarah Beigel, the bride at this wedding’s, father and brother were tragically murdered on the way to celebrate the Ufruf of their son-inlaw a few weeks ago. However, despite all of this they still were able to celebrate their wedding and use it as an opportunity to unite the Jewish people amongst the current waves of terror and the loss of their loved ones.

 I arrived at the wedding, following the previous wedding I was at, at around 11:10 pm Israel time. The hall were the wedding was however, was packed to capacity and I was not able to get in. To my dismay, with the exception of something Breslov Chasidim it looked like not as much dancing was going on outside of the hall.  Suddenly however, I noticed a large crowd of American Yeshiva students dancing. I soon realized this crowd however, was not just any group of American Yeshiva students but students and Rebbeim from Yeshivat Ashreinu, the Yeshiva which 18 year old Ezra Schwartz H’’YD had been a student before he was murdered by terroists last week in Gush Etzion. Together we sang the song “ Ashreinu Ma Tov Chalkeinu” praiseworthy how great is our lot (i.e. how happy are we that we are part of the Jewish people that has a special relationship with our creator). I was in awe over how these students and Rebbeim could still feel a strong connection to God despite the terrible loss of their friend and student.

 Earlier that night, many of the post-Highschool American Yeshivot and Seminaries also gathered together for a memorial service and Kumtzitz (slow singing) in memory of Ezra Schwartz. While I was not  there a friend of mine posted on Facebook a moment which I felt was one of the major highlights of this event. The highlight was a speech given by the head of the Yeshiva which Ezra attended Rabbi Gotch Yudin. As part of the speech Rabbi Gotch spoke about how the Yeshiva was aiming to finish all of Tanach (i.e. all of the bible the five books of the Torah, Prophets and Writings) which Ezra had wanted to try and accomplish while in yeshiva over the course of this year.

               

Like Yaacov Avinu we continue to, despite the tough times we may currently face, still “ Keep the Mitzvot” and even more so use it to strengthen our commitment to Hashem.

May we know, no more tragedies and may Moschiach come soon.

Good Shabbos, Shabbat Shalom, Gut Shabbes- Gidon Herschander 16 Kislev,5776 Yerushalayim Ir Hakodesh

What is Love: Thoughts on Parshat Toldot

In this week parsha the Torah describes the love that Yitzchak shared for him and Rivka’s son Eisav and Rivka for their son Yaacov. The Sfas Emes points out an interesting contrast in the language used for the love that both parents had for their son’s.

In regards to Yitzchak’s love for Eisav the Torah writes “ And Yitzchak loved Eisav because he fed him food that he hunted” (more literal trans. Bereisheit 25:28). Whereas for Rivka the Torah writes just that “ Rivka loved Yaacov” (ibid). From here the Sfas Emes learns that Rivka’s love for Eisav was just a general love for her son for no particular reason. Whereas Yitzchak seems to have mainly loved Eisav because he gave him food. It is the unconditional love which Rivka shares for Yaacov, the Sfas Emes points out that is generally a stronger form of love.

               

On this road which we call life (to paraphrase the theme song to one of the later seasons of the 1990’s sitcom Boy Meets World) we are involved in a variety of different interactions with those around us. Some of these people we consider our  most dear or loved ones. May we strive to express this type of unconditional love for those people and not the love dependent on other things instead.

May Moschiach come soon!

Good Shabbos, Shabbat Shalom, Gut Shabbes VeChodesh Tov Umevorach and an overall wonderful Rosh Chodesh! Gidon Herschander-Yerushalayim Ir Hakodesh Rosh Chodesh Kislev, 5776.

Chayei Sara:Bringing meaning to Life

A popular board game I used to play growing up was called The Game of Life. The game consisted of accomplishing a variety of tasks ranging from young adulthood to old age and the winner was whoever amassed the most money and the end of the game. But is that what the “ game of life,” symbolizing our actual life, is really all about?

In the beginning of this week’s parsha, in the first verse of Bereisheit Chapter 26, the Torah writes how God blessed Avraham with everything. Rashi comments that God blessing Avraham and Sara with everything referring to the son He gave them. Throughout Avraham’s life we see how they always strive to bring Godliness into the world. However,  Avraham and Sara also not only brought God’s presence into the world but also, according to many commentators,  bring Godliness to others by bringing people closer to God with the genuine chesed they show these people.

While we are not at the level of Avraham and Sara we still must strive to live our lives according to their values. We cannot allow ourselves to fall prey to living lives to , quote a pop song from several years ago all about the money, money, money and other fleeting things.

May we merit to live lives of Godliness for ourselves in our service to God as well as bring Godliness to others.

May Moschiach come soon.

Good Shabbos, Shabbat Shalom, Gut Shabbes-Gidon Herschander. Yerushalayim Ir Hakodesh, MarCheshvan,5776

Parshat Vayera: First things First how do we see the good in this?

In this week’s parsha God destroys the wicked city of Sdom. Before doing so however, God gives our forefather Avraham the opportunity to beseech Him to save Sdom’s inhabitants. The Sfas Emes makes the point that only in the case of Sdom does God try and act with Chesed (kindness) before enacting harsh judgment on the people of Sdom but in all situations when God is about to judge others harshly He always tries to see how he can act with Chesed towards others.

We are often quick to judge others for their faults and sometimes it may even be appropriate to rebuke others. However, we must, like God, always strive to look for the good.

May Moschiach come soon.

Good Shabbos, Shabbat Shalom, Gut Shabbes-Gidon Herschander. Yerushlayim Ir Hakodesh Marcheshvan,5776.

Go From Yourself thoughts on the Parsha, the current situation, and some words on Rebbetzin Machlis

 

Liluei Nishmat Rebbetzin Henny Machlis

In the beginning of this week’s parsha the story of our people begins when God commands our forefather Avraham to leave his homeland behind and go to “ the land which I will show you” (Bereisheit 12:1). Our sages teach (see Pirkei Avot 4:3) that Avraham was tested by God ten times and this was one of those tests (the first or second of his tests there is a disagreement between Rashi and Rambam). Many commentators (especially Chasidish ones such as the Nesivos Shalom) explain that just like Avraham we to are tested by God at different points in our lives. These tests are both similar to Avraham or just tests we face in general from day to day.

               According to many Chasidish commentators God telling Avraham Lech Lecha at the beginning of this week’s parsha can also symbolize not just Avraham leaving everything he has behind but a message to us  go away from yourself or to improve yourself.

               It is this deeper meaning of Lech Lecha which I feel is the one we should concentrate on during the times we are in and how we should approach the current situation in Israel. How should we put this into action? I feel it is best to concentrate our efforts on going beyond oneself by doing Chesed (acts of kindness for those around us). Not only is acting with kindness and love the act opposite of the stabbing and pain our enemies our causing our holy people but also Chesed is the main midda (or character trait) of Avraham Avinu.

               Additionally, last Friday shortly before Shabbat, Rebbetzin Henny Machlis Z’’TL left this world. It was her, along with her husband that would have 100’s of guests over in their tiny apartment in Yerushalayim from all different parts of the Jewish world and even non-Jews every Shabbat (see http://www.aish.com/sp/so/Henny-Machlis-A-Truly-Great-Jewish-Woman.html just to get a better idea about how incredible this Tzaddeket was). It would therefore, each according to their own ability, be a beautiful thing to work to improve the chesed we show towards others in her memory.

               There are many ways which we can show more chesed towards others. These acts of Chesed can be more directly related to the current situation (e.g. Davening for one of those recovering from being attacked), saying Tehillim for others, inviting guests for Shabbat if we don’t do so as regularly etc. May the Chesed we demonstrate strengthen ourselves and the entire Jewish people, may we go into a Shabbat of literal Shalom for all Jews in Israel and the world over and may we usher in the era of the Moschiach and the final redemption.

Good Shabbos, Shabbat Shalom, Gut Shabbes-Gidon Herschander Mar Cheshvan,5776 Yerushalayim Ir Hakodesh (the holy city of Jerusalem)!

Beyond the Call of Duty: Thoughts on Parshat Noach and the current situation

Lileui Nishmat  my dear Rav, Rav Binyamin Bein Yitzchak Yehuda whose Yahrtzeit was Rosh Chodesh Mar Cheshvan, Mar Cheshvan 1 this past Wednesday

            In his weekly parsha blog, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks quotes an interesting D’var Torah he once heard from his Rav, Rav Dr. Nahum Rabinovich Shlitta current Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Birkat Moshe in Maalei Adumim, Israel on this week’s parsha. In the D’var Torah Rav Rabinovich quotes a Midrash from Buber’s Tanchuma (also known as the Midrash Yelamdenu). Commenting on the verse in the parsha, “ Then God said to Noah, ‘Come out of the ark’ (Gen. 8:16), ” the Midrash makes the observation that God only told Noach to leave the ark after Noach  first thinks to himself, “ since I only entered the ark with permission (from God), shall I leave without permission? The Midrash then adds that, however, according to Rabbi Yehuda Bar Ilai, If he (Rabbi Yehuda) would had been in Noach’s situation he would have smashed down the doors of the ark before being granted permission ( see http://www.rabbisacks.org/the-courage-to-live-with-uncertainty/#_ftn1).

            Based on this Midrash Rav Rabinovich then teaches a very valuable lesson. That when the world around us  is in a “ flood” state of wreckage we shouldn’t just wait for God’s permission to heal a fractured world but act even before being asked to do so. In general I feel this is an important life lesson. To paraphrase the words of Hillel to be a man in a place where there are none (Paraphrase Pirkei Avot 2:5) to go above the call of duty.

            Unfortunately our people are currently a tremendous time of tragedy and sorrow once again. One only needs to open the newspaper (or read it online) to see the many stabbings and attacked which have occurred to our holy brothers and sisters in our holy land. Currently the army and police have done their job by working tremendously hard to fight against our enemies and protect our people.  However, it is up to all of us even those of us not in the police or army positions in Israel and the diaspora to do our parts to take the initiative to respond to the recent attacks.

            Some responses which  I have seen so  far include learning around the clock a project spearheaded both by my yeshiva in Israel Yeshivat Torat Shraga and my Alma Mater Yeshiva University in New York. I have also seen countless posts via Facebook from fellow Jews in both Israel and abroad which depict what is really going on in Israel right now despite the biased anti-Israel rhetoric which others maybe spreading using social media.

            There is another area however, which thank God I have also seen strengthened during this time which I feel is especially important for strive to improve at and that is increasing or acts of Chesed  (kindness) towards our fellow Jews which has tremendous power to rebuild worlds. Someone pointed out to me this week that the same shoresh or root of the word neshek (small gun) is the same as that of neshika (kiss). Therefore, it is especially important that we go out of our way to take time to do acts of kindness for our fellow Jews or other acts where we think of them before ourselves more so than usual. Whether that be davening for specific people injured in the attacks to be healed or learning in memory of those loss or even extending or even things as small as clearing our place when eating out at a restaurant so the waiter’s and manager’s job there is a little bit easier.

            May we merit to not be passive but active in helping our people get through the current situation despite the current situation and may HASHEM bring us to a time where all the Jewish people are united in peace and tranquility in our holy land of Eretz Yisrael with the coming of the Moschiach and the final redemption may it be speedily in our days.

Good Shabbos, Shabbat Shalom, Gut Shabbos- Gidon Herschander. Yerushalayim Ir Hakodesh 3 Mar Cheshvan,5776.