Rabbi Lord Sacks: Sefer Beraishit, New Years Resolutions and Counting Your Blessings.

Hey everyone,
A friend of mine sent me this blog from Rabbi Lord Sacks and it made me think, so I wanted to share it with you.
Sefer Beraishit is all about the individuals developing, changing and finding themselves – and reading this may well help you do that.
Shabbat Shalom,
Benjy Singer.
Check out our new My Shteiblech website: http://www.israelk.org .

This piece was copied from http://www.rabbisacks.org

Have you made your new year resolutions? If not, try the following. Each is potentially life changing.

1. Give thanks. Once a day take quiet time to feel gratitude for what you have, not impatience for what you don’t have. This alone will bring you halfway to happiness. We already have most of the ingredients of a happy life. It’s just that we tend to take these for granted and focus on unmet wants, unfulfilled desires. Giving thanks is better than shopping – and cheaper too.

2. Praise. Catch someone doing something right and say so. Most people, most of the time, are unappreciated. Being recognised, thanked and congratulated by someone else is one of the most empowering things that can happen to us. So don’t wait for someone to do it for you: do it for someone else. You will make their day, and that will help to make yours.

3. Spend time with your family. Make sure that there is at least one time a week when you sit down to have a meal together with no distractions – no television, no phone, no e-mail, just being together and celebrating one another’s company. Happy marriages and healthy families need dedicated time.

4. Discover meaning. Take time out, once in a while, to ask: “Why am I here? What do I hope to achieve? How best can I use my gifts? What would I wish to be said about me when I am no longer here?” Finding meaning is essential to a fulfilled life – and how can you find it if you never look? If you don’t know where you want to be, you will never get there, however fast you run.

5. Live your values. Most of us believe in high ideals, but we act on them only sporadically. The best thing to do is to establish habits that get us to enact those ideals daily. This is called ritual, and it is what religions remember but ethicists often forget.

6. Forgive. This is the emotional equivalent of losing excess weight. Life is too short to bear a grudge or seek revenge. Forgiving someone is good for them but even better for you. The bad has happened. It won’t be made better by your dwelling on it. Let it go. Move on.

7. Keep learning. I learnt this from Florence in Newcastle, whom I last met the day she celebrated her 105th birthday. She was still full of energy and fun. “What’s the secret?” I asked her. “Never be afraid to learn something new,” she said. Then I realised that if you are willing to learn, you can be 105 and still young. If you are not, you can be 25 and already old.

8. Learn to listen. Often in conversation we spend half our time thinking of what we want to say next instead of paying attention to what the other person is saying. Listening is one of the greatest gifts we can give to someone else. It means that we are open to them, that we take them seriously and that we accept graciously their gift of words.

9. Create moments of silence in the soul. Liberate yourself, if only five minutes daily, from the tyranny of technology, the mobile phone, the laptop and all the other electronic intruders, and just inhale the heady air of existence, the joy of being.

10. Transform suffering. When bad things happen, use them to sensitise you to the pain of others. The greatest people I know – people who survived tragedy and became stronger as a result – did not ask “Who did this to me?” Instead, they asked “What does this allow me to do that I could not have done before?” They refused to become victims of circumstance. They became, instead, agents of hope.

Most of these are, of course, integral elements of a religious life, which may be why so many surveys have shown that those who practise a religious faith tend to live longer, have lower levels of stress and report higher degrees of wellbeing than others. This is not accidental. The great religions are our richest treasuries of wisdom when it comes to the question of how best to live a life.

Life is too full of blessings to waste time and attention on artificial substitutes. Live, give, forgive, celebrate and praise: these are still the best ways of making a blessing over life, thereby turning life into a blessing.

Rabbi Lord Sacks.

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Celebrating ‘Çhag Ha’Sylvester’ or New Years – What’s the fuss about?

The question of whether or how Jews should mark the secular New Year comes up each year.

Obviously in business there is no problem in wishing non-Jewish clients and colleagues a ‘ Happy New Year’ – in fact there is probably more of a Halachik problem in not.

Also, as those of us who have worked with non-Jews abroad know, there are often office parties which everyone is expected to attend. I don’t see why there is a problem is attending as it’s for business rather than pleasure.

The question is, is there a problem in formally celebrating the secular new year – like the non-Jews, for purely social reasons. No, of course there is nothing wrong with socializing and mixing with friends, including on the evening of the 31st of December. But again, that’s not what I’m referring to. I’m talking about copying and behaving like non-Jews do in the evening of the December 31st at parties by getting into that secular spirit and culture.

Here is some background behind the day and other ideas I wanted to share:

1) ‘Chag Ha’Sylvester’

The Israeli term for New Year’s celebrations, ‘Sylvester’, was the name of the Saint and Roman Pope who reigned during the Council of Nicaea (325 C.E.). The year before the Council of Nicaea convened, Sylvester convinced Constantine to prohibit Jews from living in Jerusalem. At the Council of Nicaea, Sylvester arranged for the passage of a host of anti-Semitic legislation. All Catholic Saints are awarded a day on which Christians celebrate and pay tribute to that Saint’s memory. December 31 is Saint Sylvester Day; hence celebrations on the night of December 31 are dedicated to Sylvester’s memory.

2) In Halacha:

There are 2 issues that came to mind:

(1) Avoda Zarah (Idol worship);

(2) Chukot Hagoy (customs and mores of the Gentiles),

(1) Chag Ha Sylvester is rooted in Christianity which still has remnants of  Avodah Zarah.  The fact that Jews wouldn’t attribute religious significance to a day some claim Jesus had his circumcision is irrelevant.There is therefore a pseudo – Halachik problem in being connected to such a day. Therefore there is also a problem in wishing someone, ‘Happy New Year’ unless you need to.

The question is (2) of Chukot Hagoy.

The Torah, in Vayikra 18:3, says that Jews are forbidden to copy the customs of non-Jews.

The Vilna Gaon said that all customs were deemed ‘Chukat Hagoy’ unless we are certain that they have a valid Jewish basis.

The Shulchan Aruch, of Rav Yosef Cairo, was more lenient and said they didn’t need to have a Jewish basis. The Rema, (Rabbi Moshe Isserles) adds that the prohibition against copying non-Jewish customs applies to activities that encourage inappropriate or immodest conduct or that are linked to Avoda Zarah.

Rav Moshe Feinstein, rules that as New Year’s Day nowadays is detached from its religious origins, it is permitted to mark the day as he says about Thanksgiving in the US. However, he does say that ‘Ba’al Nefesh’ – people who are particular about their observance won’t take part in celebrations.

3) In Jewish History:

Even though from a Halachic perspective, there may not be anything wrong with celebrating, it’s worth bearing in mind that the time period between the 25th of December and the 1st of January was a period of increased Anti-Semitism and Anti-Jewish activity and persecution in Europe:

On New Year’s Day 1577 Pope Gregory XIII decreed that all Roman Jews, must listen attentively to the compulsory Catholic conversion sermon given in Roman synagogues after Friday night services. On New Year’s Day 1578 Gregory signed into law a tax forcing Jews to pay for the support of a ‘House of Conversion’ to convert Jews to Christianity. On New Year’s 1581 Gregory ordered his troops to confiscate sacred literature from the Roman Jewish community.

Throughout the medieval and post-medieval periods, January 1, supposedly the day, on which Jesus’ circumcision initiated the reign of Christianity was reserved for Anti-Jewish activities: Synagogue and book burnings and persecution.

4) Celebrating in Israel?

Rav Moshe Feinstein was writing in America. I’m not sure if Rav Moshe was writing in present day Israel, he would have seen a need to permit celebrating the secular New Year, above showing respect to our non-Jewish colleagues, clients and friends. TG we have many reasons in our own Jewish calendar to celebrate.

Anyway, just some thoughts.

Benjy Singer.

Check out our new website: http://www.Israelk.org .

Links to the My Shteiblech Social Media Platforms:

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5) Twitter: @myshteiblech

 

Vayigash – You need the Ups and Downs

So, firstly check out our new website called IsraelK. I’m in the middle of finishing it- http://www.israelk.org .

One reason why Sefer Beraishit is my favourite Sefer in the Chumash is because it is a book that focuses on human beings and their journeys and challenges.

At the moment, we are learning about Yosef, his brothers and their father, Yaakov.

We read in Beraishit 37:4 that the brothers hated Yosef and couldn’t speak peacefully with him. On the other hand as time passes and the context changes they are able to get on and put the past behind them. The Torah says in chapter 35, that when Yosef identifies himself, they kiss each other and weap and then they speak with him.

As a nation too we experience ups and downs. In the time period of the 1st Bet Hamikdash, we had the crisis in the time of Yeravam Ben Navat when the Jewish People were then split into 2 Kingdoms – Yehudah and Yisrael. In the time of the 2nd Bet Hamikdash, we suffered from Sinat Chinam – baseless hatred, which resulted in the destruction of the Temple and Exile for 2000 years.

The Maharal says that Ahavat Chinam and looking for peace, harmony and calm is the source of success and prosperity both on the national and personal level.

You need the ups and downs in life to appreciate what you have and to make you grow and learn about who you are and where your strengths are.

Shabbat Shalom!

Benjy Singer.

10 Halachot for Hadlakat Neyrot – Chanukiyah lighting

So, firstly check out our new website called IsraelK. I’m in the middle of finishing it- http://www.israelk.org .

Also, make sure to look through our My Shteiblech Chanukah listing to find out what’s happening: https://www.facebook.com/events/743688082385923/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

Secondly here is a brief overview of 10 basic halachot for chanukiyah lighting:

1) In Israel we light from shkiyah – 4.43 today.

2) You can light until dawn, as long as people are still walking around.

3) You should preferably use olive oil, but can use candles.

4) Women living by themselves have an obligation to light.

5) Where you light depends on where you sleep that night.

6) It is not the accepted custom to fulfil ones obligation at parties etc.

7) If you live in a block of flats you light by the window if it’s below 20 amot-cubits, so people passing can see them. If your window is above 20 amot, it gets complicated. Some say as long as people in the opposite building can see the lights, you can still light there and say a bracha. Others say, if you window is above 20 amot, you should either light at the entrance to the block downstairs or by the entrance to your flat so at least people in your building can see the lights. Either way, best thing if possible is to light below 20 amot so people passing can see.

8) You can’t benefit from the light from the oil or candles.

9) In a hotel you should light in your room. Unless they insist not.

10) The oil or candles need to light for 30 minutes. Erev Shabbat longer.

Chag Urim Sameach!

Benjy Singer.

R’Naftali Z’L and Rav Benny Lau as a model for Sefer Beraishit.

I am asked to daven from the amud quite regularly at Ramban Shul . As anyone who leads davening in a big community like Ramban knows there can be many distractions – Noise from children, the community not joining in, people talking, as well of course not always feeling 100%, suddenly needing the toilet or being unsure which tune to sing.

Whilst being chazan at Ramban over the past few years I was often distracted, but for a very different type of reason – a far more positive one. What was it that often took my eyes away from my siddur? It was seeing at such close range the way Rav Benny cared and looked after his father Naftali Z’L during tefilah.

Making sure he was sitting comfortably in his wheelchair, holding his siddur, helping him have his tallit on properly, ensuring his kippa was on correctly, standing behind him during the amidah to help him keep his balance etc. The care both him and his children showed Naftali was very special.

Also, for those of us who heard Rav Benny’s drashot on Shabbat, he always mentioned his father when he was present and brought him to his Monday night shiur when he could. I also heard that whenever he was speaking around the country, Rav Benny took his father with him when he was able to. I don’t know the Lau family personally, but to anyone who saw them as a family knows the respect they all had for Naftali was very special.

Often you see when Rabbanim and public figures become very popular, they neglect their personal and family lives. With Rav Benny, from what I saw, it was the opposite. He used his popularity to enrich his relationship with his parents and always included them. I saw him with his father and mother at Ramban most of the time.

I heard Ha’Rav Amital Z’L say, quoting a mishna ( I can’t remember where, but I think in Massechet Megillah) that one should daven in a shul which is intergenerational.

Why? Because young people need to see and learn from the wisdom of the elderly. That life experience is invaluable and you can’t always gain that wisdom from Sefarim or Halacha. You learn it from experiencing and seeing. I myself have realized that there are limits to what books can teach you. You often learn far more from real, human role models.

When I was standing there from the Amud at Ramban shul, seeing the way Rav Benny looked after his father davening, I realized what Ha’Rav Amital meant. You learn from people and how they behave and treat people, as much as from books and ideas. Learning is great and yes, you need to have knowledge. But, more importantly, is to see that knowledge implemented in real life.

Rabbi Lord Sacks often speaks about how Sefer Beraishit is a book about family relationships. At times these relationships are difficult, torn and tense as in these parshiyot with Yosef and his siblings. At other times in Sefer Beraishit, the family relationships are easier, more straighforward and simpler. But whatever the nature of the relationship, they are worth working at and investing time and effort in. For, it is only when we have healthy and happy relationships on a personal and individual level, that we can go on and build solid and strong communities and be part of a nation.

Those of us who are part of the Ramban community are privileged to have been exposed to the Lau family and the special intergenerational relationships in their family. We certainly learnt a lot from the way Rav Benny looked after and cared for his father, Naftali Z’L.

Shabbat Shalom,

Benjy Singer, Founder and Manager of the ‘My Shteiblech’ Social Media portal.

My Shteiblech comprises of 5 Social Media platforms you should like, subscribe to and use:

1) Weekly Newsletter:http://eepurl.com/CcIAH

2) Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Shteiblech/139446259564549

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4) Facebook Group for the Tel Aviv area (you can post in this group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/502245053236300/

5) Twitter: @myshteiblech

Yaakov: The Secret to Immortality.

Even though many of us may not realize it, what drives us subconsciously is the human need to attain some aspect of immortality or at least to be remembered. Man is mortal, that is how G-d created us. But the question is, if we are to attain some aspect of immortality or at least to be remembered, how would we do it?

We know from Sefer Beraishit that the word for death doesn’t appear with Yaakov, like it does with Avraham and Yitzchak. In fact the word, ‘Vayechi’ – ‘he lived’, very much defines Yaakov’s life.

What can we learn from the way the Torah describes Yaakov as to why the Torah and Chazal ( the Rabbis) portray Yaakov as never dying?

One answer could be, using the Rashi at the beginning of this weeks Parsha who focuses on Yaakov’s ability to retain his sense of morality and religiosity even in the house of Lavan – in other words, as he demonstrated a very strong moral and Jewish identity, he was a role model and example to all those around him which gave him a sense of immortality.

Another answer we see in Chazal could be that Yaakov was the only of the Avot whose children all stayed in the fold and weren’t rejected or didn’t rebel. It was this sense of, ‘Shlemut’ – completeness, that meant through all his children he lived forever.

Furthermore, the Shemot Shmuel talks about how the character of Yaakov is very ‘Ruchani’ – spiritual. As a result even though he physically dies, as by the end of his life all his body was spiritual, he in fact lives on in his soul and spirit.

I would like to suggest another understanding based on the change of Yaakov’s name from ‘Yaakov’, the private individual and ‘Yisrael’, the public national figure. When Yaakov becomes transformed to a national leader, then and only then does he become immortal.

As when a person contributes and joins in the fate and destiny of his nation and community he not only has a more meaningful life, he also becomes immortal. When one acts for the ‘other’ and contributes to his community and society, every act is an immortal act and lives on in those affected and benefitting from that act of kindness and goodness.

Shabbat Shalom!

Benjy Singer, My Shteiblech.

Yaakov: Protect Yourself!

Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky explains why Yaakov had to spend 14 years in the Yeshiva of Shem and Ever.

The first 63 years of his life he studied Torah with his father, in an environment insulated from the immorality and corruption of Canaan.

Now, Yaakov would be living in Charan, with people like Lavan – dishonest and unscrupulous, Yaakov would need to protect himself both morally and spiritually. Therefore he needed these years in the Yeshiva of Shem and Ever to further mould his personality to be able to protect himself.

Why the Torah of Shem and Ever? Because they too had lived in the generation of the Flood and Tower of Babel and had had to protect themselves against spiritual and moral threats. Therefore, their Yeshiva was the appropriate place to learn.

In these 14 years at the Yeshiva of Shem and Ever, Yaakov would learn how to emerge spiritually clean and unscathed from his personal exile.

G-d appears to him through angels and with a Divine promise at the beginning of this weeks Parsha, but first Yaakov has to make the effort, by learning in the Yeshiva of Shem and Ever.

Shabbat Shalom,

Benjy Singer – My Shteiblech.

Har Nof Terror Attack: Plea from families of the 4 victims – Shabbat of Ahavat Chinam / Carrying phones and guns on Shabbat.

As we are all aware, the terrorism continued this week with a horrific attack in Har Nof, a neighbourhood many of us love and know well. Underneath, you will find the psak about carrying phones over Shabbat in Yerushalayim due to the current security climate.

May calm return to the streets of Yerushalayim,
Benjy Singer – the founder of the My Shteiblech Social Media Portal.

(Here is the blog I wrote about how to cope in times of terrorism: https://thoughtsfromtheshteiblech.wordpress.com/2014/11/19/coping-in-a-climate-of-terrorism-5-practical-steps/)

1) Here is a special plea for Shabbat from the families of the 4 Kedoshim:

“The widows of the Har Nof massacre have asked that this Shabbat be dedicated to ‘ahavat chinam’ – love for no good reason.”

Translation of Widows’ Letter:
A PLEA FROM THE WIVES AND CHILDREN OF THE 4 HAR NOF VICTIMS
The widows and orphans of the four men who were slain in the Jerusalem synagogue massacre this week issued a letter calling for national solidarity and unity:

With broken hearts, drenched in tears shed over the spilt blood of holy men – the heads of our families.

We call on our brethren wherever they are – let us come together so that we may merit mercy from Heaven, and let’s accept upon ourselves to increase love and comradery, between each individual and each community.

We ask that every person accept upon himself on this Sabbath Eve (Parshat Toldot, November 20-21, 2014), to set aside the day of Shabbat as a day of unconditional love, a day during which we will refrain from words of disagreement and division, from words of gossip and slander.

May this serve to elevate the souls of our husbands and fathers who were slaughtered while sanctifying God’s name.

God will look down from the heavens, see our suffering, wipe away our tears and put an end to our tribulations.

May we merit seeing the coming of our Moshiach (Messiah) speedily in our days. Amen.

Signed with a torn heart,

Mrs. Chaya Levin and family
Mrs. Bryna Goldberg and family
Mrs. Yaacova Kupensky and family
Mrs. Bashy Twersky and family

2) Carrying phones/ guns over Shabbat in Yerushalayim:

Guns :
The shuls in the area- Ramban, the Katamon Shteiblech etc. have asked those who are licensed gun holders to come to shul with their guns.

Phones:

Rav Yoni Rosensweig:
In my opinion it’s simple. A phone is not muktze – it is a כלי שמלאכתו לאיסור. A כלי שמלאכתו לאיסור can be moved on Shabbat לצורך גופו and לצורך מקומו. In my opinion when one is carrying a phone on Shabbat, and it helps to allay one’s fears, that falls within the category of לצורך גופו, and is obviously fine.

My (Benjy) addition:
I have heard poskim in a number of different circumstances give the psak that it is permitted to carry around a phone on Shabbat – as a phone is a lower level of mukzeh, preferably in something that isn’t mukzeh, in a case where a person feels their life maybe in danger or they maybe needed to safe life. Of course in a definite situation of pikuach nefesh it’s permitted to break Shabbat as we all know.
This is a complex issue and if you have any further questions please ask a Rav.

3) Links to the My Shteiblech Social Media Platforms:

My Shteiblech comprises of 5 Social Media platforms you should like, subscribe to and use:

1) Weekly Newsletter:http://eepurl.com/CcIAH

2) Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Shteiblech/139446259564549

3) Facebook Group for the Jerusalem area (you can post in this group):https://www.facebook.com/groups/464864350308046/

4) Facebook Group for the Tel Aviv area (you can post in this group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/502245053236300/

5) Twitter: @myshteiblech

Shabbat Shalom!

Benjy.

Coping in a climate of terrorism: 5 Practical Steps.

My friend and ex-colleague of mine, R’Johnny Solomon, wrote a few ideas (1-4) which I added to (point 5) of how to cope in the current climate of terrorism that we are currently going through, after yesterday’s horrific attack in Har Nof. The 4 steps that R’Johnny wrote are in memory of the 4 kedoshim murdered yesterday HY’D.

Especially for those who have recently made Aliyah, these 5 steps may be useful:

1. Helping the families of the victims

This can be done by making a donation at http://www.rootfunding.com/campaign/help-har-nof-families or emailing Hannah Pasternak at dosomethingforthefamilies@gmail.com. As always, you can also donate through OneFamily: http://www.onefamilytogether.org/ .

2. Start reciting ‘AL TIRA’

There are three verses that appear at the end of the Aleynu prayer called אל תירא which include the message that we should not live in fear from sudden terror and that evil plans should be annulled. Try and start saying this prayer from now on (see http://www.aleinu.org/altirah.html).

3. Shabbat hospitality

While some Jews will have secure Shabbat plans, others still may not know what their plans are or may appreciate being invited to your home. Reach out and invite a fellow Jew for Shabbat simply because they are family.

4. Davening in Shul

Many Jews struggle to make it to a weekday service to pray, and while some people have good reasons, others can simply be lazy. All four men were murdered yesterday because they were praying in shul so those of us who struggle to make it to shul should try and make an extra effort to pray in shul in their memory.

5. Daily Routine/ Being with others – Not alone.

Carry on your daily routine, whilst of course taking necessary precautions. Be with others, talk about your worries – sitting on Facebook and listening to the radio alone can be highly detrimental. Make sure to go out with friends and mix with people. Get involved in group activities which will take your mind off things. If you are walking alone at night and are concerned make sure to walk where you can be seen and where there is traffic and light.

Besurot Tovot,

Benjy Singer, from ‘My Shteiblech’.

My Shteiblech comprises of 5 Social Media platforms you should like, subscribe to and use:

1) Weekly Newsletter:http://eepurl.com/CcIAH

2) Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Shteiblech/139446259564549

3) Facebook Group for the Jerusalem area (you can post in this group):https://www.facebook.com/groups/464864350308046/

4) Facebook Group for the Tel Aviv area (you can post in this group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/502245053236300/

5) Twitter: @myshteiblech

Parshat Chayei Sarah: Avraham, the Ramban and Eretz Yisrael is acquired through pain and suffering.

This week, despite the Smachot and the good news of R’Yehudah Glick continuing to recover, there were more piguim ( terror attacks) where Israelis were killed and injured.

Just a minute away in Gush Etzion, up the road from where the 3 boys were kidnapped and murdered a few months ago, Dalia Lemkus, the daughter of South African Olim from Tekoa, was murdered at the bus stop by Alon Shvut, by a terrorist.

The Gemarah in Brachot says that three things are acquired through suffering: Torah, Olam Habah and Eretz Yisrael. We are seeing this in our day. The murder of Dalia being yet another illustration of this.

The Ramban in Parshat Vaéira, Shmot 6:2-5, comments that unlike Moshe Rabbenu, the Avot did not see the promises Hashem gave them actualised. Ramban comments on the differing names that G-d appears to the Avot and Moshe. To the Avot, G-d just appears as, ‘ El Shadai’, unlike as ‘Hashem’ which is how G-d appeared to Moshe. The Ramban explains that the Avot did not see the promises G-d present to them come into fruition, whilst Moshe Rabbenu did. For instance, Moshe did see the redemption from Egypt, although – Moshe doesn’t enter Eretz Yisrael so there is an aspect of tragedy with him too.

The Ramban continues to explain that ‘El Shadai’ represent G-d acting through nature – this is what the Avot experienced. For instance, G-d helped them in time of famine, made them victorious at times of war and helped them gain wealth. However, ‘Hashem’ – being how G-d appeared to Moshe, implied that G-d intervened in a super-natural, miraculous manner.

We see through the explanation of the Ramban, that the Avot did not receive the reward that they should have. Also, Moshe Rabbenu despite the fact that ‘Hashem’ appears to him, also suffered in that he did not enter Eretz Yisrael.

In this week’s Parsha, we see the Torah completes its description of Avraham’s character as he died in 25:8. What defines Avraham’s life? Mesirut Nefesh (self sacrifice). The Midrash describes the 10 tests that Avraham had to go through. Avraham didn’t have an easy life- either in his domestic, personal life or in his role as a leader and teacher of monotheism and faith.

Rav Shimshon Raphael Hirsch explains that what drives and motivates Avraham and causes him to be succeed and have such an impact is in fact his loneliness and the fact he has to cope with so much of life by himself. In a way the challenges and difficulties he goes through makes him into the leader he becomes.

Rashi at the beginning of Parshat Lech-Lecha 12:1, says on the phrase, ‘ Lech-Lecha’, that going ‘ for yourself’ – means,’ go for your own benefit and for your own good‘. By journeying to Eretz Yisrael, on the one hand, it would be good for Avraham – it would make his life better. On the other hand though, life in Eretz Yisrael would cause him pain and suffering, but would be nevertheless for his long term benefit.

I never knew Dalia Lemkus although from having heard her father and sisters give hespedim at the levaya and having read about her, her murder is a tragedy like all the others have been over the past few weeks. The people and youth of Gush Etzion have suffered yet another painful blow and we hope they are able to recover and regain their strength and sense of idealism.

May Shabbat bring peace and calm to the streets of Jerusalem and the rest of Eretz Yisrael and may the pain and suffering associated with Eretz Yisrael we see in the Gemarah in Brachot and in the Tenach be replaced with only joy and happiness.

Shabbat Shalom,

Benjy Singer.