After a lengthy hiatus, trying to get back into the swing of posting weekly divrei torah and other (hopefully) interesting and useful material. Constructive comments welcome.
25 Cheshvan 5773 /
9-10 November 2012
Parashat Chayei
Sarah
Torah - Genesis 23:1 - 25:18
Haftarah - 1 Kings 1:1-31
Torah - Genesis 23:1 - 25:18
Haftarah - 1 Kings 1:1-31
Please feel free to
pass this on to a friend, and please cite the
source.
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Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner!
“And Isaac brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother; he married Rebecca, she became his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother.” Genesis 24:67
Rashi: He brought her to the tent, and behold, she was Sarah his mother! That is to say, she became like Sarah his mother. For as long as Sarah was alive, a candle burned from one Shabbat eve to the next, a blessing was found in the dough and a cloud was attached to the tent. When she died, these things ceased, and when Rebecca came, they resumed (citing Genesis Rabbah 60:16).
According to the Midrash, Sarah was the first to kindle Shabbat lights and to take challah (a symbolic offering) from dough. In doing so, she caused the Shekhinah (the Divine Presence, symbolized by the cloud) to descend to her home. Isaac and Abraham either could not or would not do these things. It was Rebecca, the wife who replaced (became?) the mother, who reinstituted the practices, and brought about the return of the Shekhinah.
There are several ways to look at this. There is a rather obvious oedipal reference. There is the female viewpoint that men are clueless when it comes to certain matters. However, I am more interested in mystical cause and effect.
Simply by kindling Shabbat lights, Sarah and Rebecca (and any of us!) could bring God’s Sheltering Presence into the home. What’s the mystery? Take a mundane act, lighting candles, infuse the act and yourself with holiness through kavannah (focused intent) and by reciting the appropriate blessing, and you have instant Shalom Bayit, a peaceful household. This Shabbat, perform this simple mitzvah; then look at the light, marvel at the Creation it symbolizes, and bring the Shekhinah home for dinner!
Have a Wonderful Shabbat!
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Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner!
“And Isaac brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother; he married Rebecca, she became his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother.” Genesis 24:67
Rashi: He brought her to the tent, and behold, she was Sarah his mother! That is to say, she became like Sarah his mother. For as long as Sarah was alive, a candle burned from one Shabbat eve to the next, a blessing was found in the dough and a cloud was attached to the tent. When she died, these things ceased, and when Rebecca came, they resumed (citing Genesis Rabbah 60:16).
According to the Midrash, Sarah was the first to kindle Shabbat lights and to take challah (a symbolic offering) from dough. In doing so, she caused the Shekhinah (the Divine Presence, symbolized by the cloud) to descend to her home. Isaac and Abraham either could not or would not do these things. It was Rebecca, the wife who replaced (became?) the mother, who reinstituted the practices, and brought about the return of the Shekhinah.
There are several ways to look at this. There is a rather obvious oedipal reference. There is the female viewpoint that men are clueless when it comes to certain matters. However, I am more interested in mystical cause and effect.
Simply by kindling Shabbat lights, Sarah and Rebecca (and any of us!) could bring God’s Sheltering Presence into the home. What’s the mystery? Take a mundane act, lighting candles, infuse the act and yourself with holiness through kavannah (focused intent) and by reciting the appropriate blessing, and you have instant Shalom Bayit, a peaceful household. This Shabbat, perform this simple mitzvah; then look at the light, marvel at the Creation it symbolizes, and bring the Shekhinah home for dinner!
Have a Wonderful Shabbat!
Rabbi Richard A.
Flom - ravflom@gmail.com
Burbank, CA
Burbank, CA
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"For the sake of Zion I will not be silent; for the sake of Jerusalem I will not be still." Isaiah 62:1
"For the sake of Zion I will not be silent; for the sake of Jerusalem I will not be still." Isaiah 62:1
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