Vayishlach Text message

Parahsat Vayishlach (and Jacob sent)

In this section we find many interesting stories.

One of them is the story about Jacob wrestling with an angel.

Pop culture teaches us that there always (or almost always) should be a winner, and therefore… a loser.

The most popular American sports do not have the possibility of a tie.

In American Football (we can argue about this one, but it is really not common), Baseball, Basketball, Hockey, Tennis, Volleyball, etc. games there is always a winner and a loser.

What was the result of Jacobs wrestle with the angel? A tie.

Jacob got hurt, but also he got a blessing from the angel.

The Torah teaches us that a tie is also an option and I would like to add: “Be selective in your battles. Sometimes peace is better than being right”.

In memory of my beloved mother and teacher Miriam Rachel bat Israel Itzchak Z"L

Vayetze Text message

Parashat Vayetze (And he [Jacob] left)

Jacob leaves his parents’ home and goes to Haran, where his uncle lives.

He will have to work a lot in order to get married to Leah and Rachel. The story is well known. Laban, Jacob’s uncle, tricks Jacob and changes Leah for Rachel, therefore he will have to work longer in order to marry Rachel.

Genesis 29:20: “Jacob worked for Rachel for seven years, but it seemed in his eyes like a few days because he loved her.”

Maybe the time passed in Jacob’s body - he work hard, he grew older - but the time did not pass in his eyes. He was able to “see” that, when you are in love, “time never passes”.

Love can be such a powerful blessing that those who love each other may consider a long time just a blink of the eyes.

In memory of my beloved mother and teacher Miriam Rachel bat Israel Itzchak Z"L

Chayei Sarah

Parashat Chayei Sarah (the life of Sarah)

Words in the Torah always have a special meaning.

In this section, Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for his son, Isaac.

It is important to mention that the Torah frequently uses the word “servant” and never calls him by his name, even though we all know the Torah is talking about Eliezer.

Here lies a very important lesson. Eliezer could have presumed or faked his trip. He could have gone to a different place or even taken a shorter trip and returned later just to tell Abraham that he failed and therefore Eliezer himself would become Abraham’s heir.

But he didn’t.

We have so many “anonymous” people in our society that serve us with loyalty and devotion.

Police officers, firefighters, nurses, trash collectors… You name them…

This Shabbat let’s think of them and remember their devoted work

In memory of my beloved mother and teacher Miriam Rachel bat Israel Itzchak Z"L