Weekly Newsletter Volume 4, Issue 5

November 11, 2023; 27 Cheshvan, 5784 Sponsored anonymously L’Ilui Nishmas Sara Eidel Bas Mordechai

This week’s Parsha begins with the description of Sara’s death and Avrohom’s mourning of her. This event is preceded by the events at the end of last week’s Parsha, the Akeidas Yitzchak (the offering of Yitzchak as a sacrifice). The death of Sara and the Akeidas Yitzchak are connected because we have learned that Sara died when she heard that her son, Yitzchak, was being offered as a sacrifice.

The Midrash in Bereishis Rabbah 58:6 tells us that while Avrohom was mourning for Sara, he saw the Malach HaMaves (the Yetzer Harah)...

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Weekly Newsletter Volume 4, Issue 4

November 4, 2023; 20 Cheshvan, 5784

“And Hashem appeared to him (Avrohom) in the plains of Mamre.” (Bereishis 18:1)

Rashi mentions that the reason why Hashem revealed Himself to Avrohom in the plains of Mamre was because it was Mamre who gave Avrohom advice regarding Hashem’s commandment to circumcise himself and the members of his household. The Daas Z’kainim MiBaalei HaTosfos, addresses the question as to what advice Avrohom was seeking – Hashem commanded him to circumcise himself and his household. Would Avrohom be asking advice on whether he should comply with Hashem’s commandment? He answers that of course Avrohom would readily comply with Hashem’s commandment. The advice that he was seeking was how to convince his household to comply....

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Weekly Newsletter Volume 4, Issue 3

October 28, 2023; 13 Cheshvan, 5784

The Midrash in this week’s Parsha (Bereishis Rabbah 38:11) tells us of the confrontation between Avrohom Avinu and Nimrod, and Avrohom’s remarkable Mesiras Nefesh (self-sacrifice) as a young child.

“Nimrod said to him, ‘Let us worship fire!’ Avrohom responded to him, ‘Should we not then worship water, which extinguishes fire!’ Nimrod said, ‘Then let us worship water!’ Avrohom responded, ‘Should we not then worship clouds, which carry the water?’ Nimrod said, ‘Then let us worship clouds!’ Avrohom responded, ‘If so, should we not then worship wind, which scatters the clouds?’ Nimrod said, ‘Then, let us worship wind!’ Avrohom responded, ‘Should we not then worship human beings, who withstand the wind?’....

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