CANDLELIGHTING: 6:00 VOLUME 2 ISSUE 2 SHABBOS ENDS: AFTER 7:02 כ"ב חשבון תשע"ד 72 MIN: 7:29 October 26, 2013

PARSHAS CHAYEI SARAH THE REST OF THE By R’Ephraim Luss STORY: ... לא תקח אשה לבני מבנות הכנעני ... כי אל ארצי ואל מולדתי תלך ... פן תשיב את בני שמה When Avrahom instructed his trusted servant Eliezer to find a wife who would be suitable for his son, Yitzchak, he gave very specific instructions. By R’ Yosef Dovid Rothbart The girl must not be from the land of Canaan. Rather, Eliezer should go Rivka ran home after meeting Eliezer and recounted what had transpired at the to Aram, Avrahom’s birthplace, and look there for someone who would well. Lavan, noticing the jewellery that Rivka was wearing, listened carefully so be suitable for Yitzchak. Avrahom lived amongst the Canaanites and as not to miss any detail. When Rivka finished, Lavan quietly snuck away and rejected the possibility of allowing Isaac to marry one of them owing to rushed to greet Eliezer, who was still standing where Rivka had left him. “So, you’re interested in my younger sister?” he began with a sly smile. “I am their idolatrous ways. However, since the women of Aram served idolatry the head of the household. If you want this match to proceed, you must make it as well, why should Avrahom have been so adamant on this point? worthwhile for me. If not, I’m afraid it won’t work out. We’re both aware of how The Drashos HaRan (Drush 5) explains that the reason for Avrahom’s special Rivka is; we don’t want to sell her short.” decision was not the idolatry of Canaan, but rather their Midos . Idolatry Having no choice, Eliezer reluctantly consented to what Lavan asked. Lavan is an intellectual error that it is possible to correct. Bad Midos, however, smiled broadly and invited Eliezer graciously into his home, even providing take hold of the whole individual and the corruption is then passed from place for his many men and camels. father to son. The inhabitants of Canaan had corrupt Midos. Avrahom Before Eliezer sat down to eat, he explained to everyone the purpose of his could not hope to find a modest, morally upstanding woman who would visit. When he completed what he wanted to relate, Lavan sprang up before be appropriate for Yitzchak in Canaan. Therefore, he told Eliezer to avoid anyone had a chance to move. “This is clearly heavenly ordained,” he said, Canaan as he did not want to form any connection with the Canaanites. staring at Eliezer intently. “Here is Rivka. Take her and go.” (24: 50-51) Although, the people of Aram also served Avodah Zarah, their Lavan, anticipating all the gifts that he demanded as a bribe, wanted to wickedness resulted from their intellectual ideals . Avrahom recognized complete the transaction quickly and collect his payment. But Eliezer did not that, at the core, their values and ethics were wholesome and intact. allow this to happen. Since Lavan had already publicly consented to Eliezer Such principles of thought are taught, not necessarily passed on from taking Rivka as Yitzchak’s bride, Eliezer no longer felt pressured to comply with father to son. The idolatry of a woman from Aram could therefore be Lavan’s outrageous demands. Eliezer began to argue with Lavan, saying that easily remedied if she were educated and exposed to belief in Hashem. It he demanded too high a dowry for the privilege of taking Rivka back home. The was for this reason that Avrahom was not concerned about taking a Torah tells us that he “took out gold and silver objects, and gave them to Rivka” (24: 53). But to everyone else, he merely gave “fine fruit” (ibid). daughter-in-law from the land of Aram. Seeing his money slipping away, Lavan desperately tried another tactic. “Let Avrahom further instructed Eliezer that in the event that Rivka refused to the girl remain with us for a while” (24:55). He was subtly threatening Eliezer return with Eliezer to Avrahom’s house, Yitzchak should not travel to that he was not going to let the match proceed. Eliezer, however, was not Rivka. Avrahom would prefer that Yitzchak marry a daughter of Yishmael going to allow Lavan to threaten him at this point. He addressed Lavan calmly, or Lot – although they would definitely be on a lower level- so long as “Do not delay me after Hashem made my journey so successful (24: 56). I will Yitzchak remained near the place where he grew up. On this, as well, we leave with Rivka today, with, or without your blessings.” can ask why Avrahom was so insistent that Yitzchak not travel to Rivka. But Lavan would not give up. “Let us ask the girl.” (24:57) However, Rivka had Rav Moshe Feinstein teaches us a fundamental lesson in the importance grasped the situation and was ready with her answer when she was asked. “I of choosing one’s surroundings: Avrahom was afraid that if Yitzchak will go (24:58) even against Lavan’s will,” she responded confidently, loudly would go to Rivka’s home town he would be influenced by the wicked enough for Eliezer to hear. She understood that Lavan had no right to the environment. Even Yitzchak, who was “Kodesh Kedashim”, could be money that he was demanding of Eliezer, and did not want to facilitate Lavan’s affected by his environment and descend from his high level. This is a cheating of Eliezer. great lesson for us on the importance of proper friends and surroundings. Left with no option, Lavan grudgingly sent Rivka off. One should always strive to live in an environment that is conducive to (Based on the Shl”a) positive spiritual growth. Years later, Yaakov paid 100 Kesitah for a plot of land which was sufficient for his family and flocks. A Kesitah is . ארבע מאות שקל כסף ( כג : טז) a quarter of a Shekel. (c.f. R.H. 26) One hundred Kesitah is 25 Shekel. Avrahom was charged eight times that amount. (Oznaim La’Torah)

HALACHA (continued from story collumn) BY R’ ELI KAHANANOO A week passed, then two. One morning, the man's partner walked in with his own startling announcement. "Rabbi Yaakov, I've also Hiolchos Tefillah B’Tzibur received a notice for reserve duty in the month of Nissan!" The army rule is that two business partners do not have to serve at the same time. In such a case, one of them is released from duty. "The two of us took all our papers and went down to the army office," the Many times when there is a Minyan davening together, not everyone in the printer relates. "A few days later, the letter came: I was released! I Minyan is ready to begin Shemona Esrei at the same time. In such a would be home for Passover with my family. Unfortunately, to my scenario the question arises whether it is necessary to have ten men start distress, my partner was still required to serve his time. Shemona Esrei together to be considered davening with a Minyan, or "I was grateful to the Almighty for helping me, in a natural way, to be whether it is enough that six people begin at the same time to be free of my army duty. But it soon became clear that we had not yet considered Tefillah B’Tzibur. come to the end of this marvellous episode. My letter of release was The Mishna Berurah (90: 28) quotes the Chaya Adam as saying that Tefillah only the first stage in the story. B’Tzibur means ten people davening Shemona Esrei together. It would "On the day my partner left for his reserve duty, I parted painfully seem from here that in order for a man to be considered to be davening from him. None knew better than I what he must be feeling at such a B’Tzibur, he would have to daven with at least nine other men. time." However, the Rambam (Hilchos Tefillah 8: 4) writes that Tefillah B’Tzibur is The next morning, the printer walked to his printing shop as usual, and possible even if some of the Minyan have already davened, so long as the placed his key in the lock. To his surprise, the door wasn't locked! majority have not. The Kesef Mishna (ibid) explains, based on the concept Slowly he twisted the knob and opened the door, then stepped רובו ככולו of , that the majoritydefines the group. As long as the majority of instead, hesitant and afraid. A few steps into the the Minyan is davening (i.e. six room, he saw something amazing. There people), then it is considered as if all ten was his partner, working busily away! people are davening. "Shalom aleichem! Good morning!" the What happened ? Have" יחוה דעת ה ז מנחת יצחק ט ו ז חלקת Many Poskim , , : , : man greeted his partner, in open יעקב ב קלח ( : ) follow the opinion of the Rambam. you gone AWOL ?" the astonishment. תשובות However, there are those Poskim ( "What happened? Have you gone והנהגות א סד בשם הגרי ז " : see also Igros Moshe 1: printer asked. AWOL?" the printer asked. 28-30 who is unsure regarding this question, The partner smiled. "I arrived at the base and Orchos Rabbeinu vol. 1 pg 21) who yesterday," he said, "and an hour later, disagree with this understanding of the they sent me right back home! The Rambam. They argue that the Rambam was supervisor came over and only discussing when the Shliach Tzibur is told me, 'There's been a mistake -- some sort of misunderstanding. allowed to begin Your draft notice was for two months from now, and was sent to your Chazaras HaShatz. For that, the Rambam maintains, it is permitted to begin address by accident.' I was dumbfounded. Such a thing had never with only six people. But regarding the question how many people need to happened to me before. But the supervisor apologized and sent me be davening to be considered as davening with a Minyan, the Rambam respectfully home, saying, 'Sorry about this mistake. You are would agree that it is necessary to have ten people. released!'" This Machlokes only applies to starting Shemona Esrei. However, the When he had finished telling his story, the partner stood up and cried Halacha about when the Shliach Tzibur may begin the Chazaras HaShatz is out emotionally, "We have just seen, with our own eyes, the amazing clear. The Shulchan Aruch (O.C. 124: 6) writes that if there aren’t at least results of following the words of the Sages, 'Whoever takes upon nine people listening to the Brachos of the Shliach Tzibur, it may be himself the burden of Torah is exempt from burdens.' In order for you considered a bracha made in vain. The Mishna Berurah (ibid, 19) writes that to be released from your duty, I received a draft notice by mistake." if the Shliach Tzibur is not sure that there are nine men listening, he should The printer himself adds a final note to this story. "When we took make a stipulation that if there aren’t enough people listening, then the financial inventory several months later, it turned out that, from the Chazaras HaShatz should be considered a Tefilas Nedava. time we began closing up shop an hour early each day, our income had In summary, to be considered that one has davened with a Minyan, ideally increased greatly." Raising his voice with great feeling, he concludes, one should begin his Shemona Esrei along with nine other men. However, if "Whoever takes upon himself the burden of Torah...!" there are only six men- the majority of a Minyan- davening, then many (Excerpted from "VOICE OF TRUTH" - The life and eloquence of Rabbi Poskim are of the opinion that this is considered to be Tefillah B’Tzibur. For Sholom Schwadron) Chazaras HaShatz, most Poskim require that there be nine men listening.

Shabbos table discussions

• Baruch, a 14 year old boy, is travelling on a crowded bus and notices that an older person got on the bus but has nowhere to sit. Baruch offers the man his seat but his offer is refused. May Baruch tell the man that he is getting off at the next stop so the man will take his seat, or is it a problem of Sheker? (c.f. Kesubos 67b)

• Why did Avrahom wait until Yitzchak was 40 years old before he began to look for a wife for Yitzchak?

A man owned a printing press in Jerusalem. Once a year, he was called "My heart was pounding very hard," the printer told us much later. "My upon for reserve military duty in the Israeli Defense Forces. He never tried whole body was covered with a cold sweat. I had never before felt such a to avoid his service when called upon. His army job was that of watchman, personal divine intervention. Rabbi Sholom remembered the story at which allowed him to spend many hours learning Torah. Then came the the very instant that my feet crossed the shul's threshold, and day when he found a notice in his mailbox: reserve duty for three weeks. everything he said was directed at my own difficult situation. As he The service would fall out in the month of Nissan. Making a rapid returned to the original subject of his talk, I saw that it really had no calculation, the man realized that he would be gone from home on the bearing at all on 'whoever takes upon himself the burden of Torah.' In night of the Passover Seder, as well as all the remaining days of the other words, the thing had not come about through natural means, one holiday. At the prospect, a shadow fell across his face. topic leading naturally into the next. The notice arrived on a Friday. "I haven't had such a Friday in a long time," "But apart from any considerations of divine intervention, I was greatly he thought. His spirits plummeted sharply. encouraged by what Rabbi Sholom had said. I decided at once to add an That night, he ate his Shabbat meal, sunk in gloomy thought. He pictured hour of Torah learning to my regular schedule -- one extra hour every his family's Seder table, minus his presence. Who would be there to answer day. I didn't wait for Sunday, or even for Shabbat morning. Immediately his sons' Four Questions? And what would he himself eat during all the after the lecture ended, I went into the study hall and learned for an days of Passover? hour. I believed with a powerful faith in the words of our Sages, Friday evenings usually found the printer in the Zichron Moshe Shul, 'Whoever takes upon himself the burden of Torah ...' All my worry fell listening to Rabbi Sholom Schwadron speak. On this gray night, however, away. "On Sunday, I told my partner at the printing press that I had he decided to diverge from his custom and take a walk instead. After a some news for him, and a request. The news was that I had received a long stroll in the company of his melancholy thoughts, he found his legs draft notice for the month of Nissan. And the request was that we close carrying him, as though by habit, to the shul. He hesitated at the door, and up shop an hour early each day, so that I would be able to use it for the then went in. study of Torah." Zichron Moshe has a book-lined foyer at the entrance, from which one (continued on page 2) enters the main sanctuary of the shul. The printer stood in this foyer, listening to Rabbi Sholom's clear voice roll out to reach his ears: "I just remembered a story," Rabbi Sholom was saying, "and when that happens, you already know what we must do. The story has nothing to do with our topic, but..." Rabbi Sholom embarked on his tale: In the early 20th century, when yeshiva students would visit the saintly RIDDLE Chafetz Chaim to discuss the problem of the Polish military draft, he would return a variety of answers. There is a wealth of stories concerning these By R’ Naftali Spiegel amazing responses, and the divine guidance that often prompted them. If the Chafetz Chaim placed a copy of the book "Machaneh Yisrael" What was the name of Avrahom’s mother? (regarding the laws of Jewish military behavior) in the student's hand, then he knew nothing would avail him; he would be drafted. Please send your answers to But if the Chafetz Chaim's response was to say, "Whoever accepts the [email protected] . burden of Torah is released from the burden of the government and Please include your name and age. livelihood," then the young man knew he must not spare any exertion in All those who submit a correct answer will be Torah -- and his freedom from the draft would be assured. entered into a raffle to a free meal at Pizza Café. "Whoever accepts the burden of Torah!" Rabbi Sholom's voice rang out. Sponsored by: Pizza Café "Whoever accepts that burden -- whatever happens!" He continued to (416) 633-5678 relate two examples of men who undertook the burden of Torah and were spared the draft. When he was finished, he asked where they had been up to before he began his story, and resumed the thread of his original topic.

SHIURIM AND EVENTS IN KOLLEL OHR YOSEF THORNHILL COMMUNITY KOLLEL

AMUD YOMI HEART OF THE MITZVAH Come join the Amud Yomi shiur led by Come join R' Eliyahu Goldwasser each R' Dovid Rosen from 8:00-8:45 Shabbos afternoon 50 minutes before Monday through Thursday nights. Mincha for a shiur on the Parsha This is a structured Gemara shiur designed to unlock the delving into Maseches Sanhedrin at a secret of a Mitzvah from the weekly steady pace. Parsha.

Did you knowknow…………

…Eishes Chayil, which we sing every Friday night, was Avrahom’s eulogy for his wife, Sarah?

… If you own an animal that is dependent on you for its food, you may not eat until it has eaten? However, you may drink before giving your animal to drink as we see that Rivka gave Eliezer to drink and only then give his camels water. .

By R’ Naftali Spiegel

What is the shortest Pasuk in Tanach?

Please send your answers to [email protected] . Please include your name and age. Thank you to Chesky Wienberg, grade 2, for your All those who submit a correct answer will be entered into a raffle to a free meal at Pizza Café. Sponsored by: beautiful D’var Torah. Pizza Café To contribute to this section and be featured in (416) 633-5678 this newsletter, email your D’var Torah to [email protected] or drop off it at kollel Ohr Yosef 613 Clark Avenue West.

TO SPONSOR An Anonymous Donor a week of Ohr Shabbos as a l’iluy nishmas zechus, or l’iluy nishmas a loved Tzvi Hirsh ben Shraga Feivush one, contact R’ Chaim Leib and Shlomo ben Menachem Gross at (905)764-1100 or email Mendel [email protected]