OHRNETOShabbos Parshas HLech Lecha • For theR week ending 8 NCheshvan 5758 • Nov.E 8, 1997 • Vol.T 5 No. 3 THE OHR SOMAYACH TORAH MAGAZINE ON THE INTERNET PARSHA INSIGHTS

root of your neshama (soul).” In the next He, peeked out and said to him: “I am the THE GREATEST BLESSING world, there will be no claims against a Master of the world.” person that he failed to live up to the Prophecy is given to those who exert “And Hashem said to Avram, ‘Go for your- self from your land and from your birth- potential of others. However, it is our themselves. If a person raises himself to place and from the house of your father to duty to maximize our talents, to push out the limits of his righteousness, if he uses the land which I will show you, and I will to the very limits of our abilities so that his intellectual and critical faculties to their bless you and I will magnify your name, and we bring the root of our souls to flower. utmost, then Hashem will grant him you shall be a blessing’.” (12:1) It is only in this way that we will be, at understanding above the normal human When Hashem commanded Avram to least, our own “Zushias.” level. leave home, He gave him many blessings. Avraham saw the reality of Creation As Rashi explains: “And I will make of you a — the mansion ablaze with light — and great nation” is a promise of children; “I “When you look at used his own human resources to come will bless you” denotes material success; to the inescapable truth of the existence and “I will magnify your name” is the another person, realize of the Creator. At that point, Hashem promise that Hashem would perfect that he is a star! A galac- reached out to Avraham and gave him Avram, making him free from blemish and prophecy. defect. tic mirror, reflecting the Another idea. These blessings are so extensive that Avraham saw a mansion which was it’s difficult to imagine how they could be infinite light of the “ablaze (with light).” The expression for added to. However, the greatest blessing “ablaze” — dolekes — can also mean is yet to come. As the verse above con- Creator. He may seem “burning.” Why should seeing a burning cludes: “And you shall be a blessing.” very small to you. He mansion be compelling evidence of the The greatest blessing is to be a blessing Creator? to others. To help them. To care for may not have achieved When something is totally and utterly them. To be there for others in their burned it returns to ash, to the level times of joy and sadness. much. But his potential where everything is the same; it has been The only way to achieve real happiness is vaster than the track- reduced to its elemental self. It has no in life is to help others to be happy. form that sets it apart from any other less emptiness of space.” thing in the Creation. Avraham Avinu saw the world, the ON BEING ONESELF mansion, as if it was all one element, one “And Hashem said to Avram unity. He saw the disparate nature of this ‘Go for yourself...’” (12:1) world, this “mansion,” as “burned,” The great tzaddik, Reb Zushia of reduced to an ineffable oneness, reflecting Annipoli once said: “When I get to the THE TOWERING of its Creator. Avraham perceived the next world, the World of Truth, if they say unity of nature and, through this, the to me: ‘Zushia, why weren’t you like the Unity of Hashem. Ba’al Shem Tov?’ that’s not going to fright- INFERNO That’s the greatest of blessings. en me one bit. How can you compare me “Go for yourself” (12:1) to the Ba’al Shem Tov? There was a traveler who was jour- ACTING LIKE STARS And if they say to me: ‘Zushia, why neying from place to place. He came weren’t you like the Maggid of Mezrich?’ upon a large mansion ablaze with light, “And (Hashem) took him outside and said that’s not going to frighten me either. sumptuously furnished. He said “Don’t to him ‘Look up, please, at the heavens and Look at me and look at the Maggid of tell me that this mansion has no master!” count the stars, if you can count them;’ and Mezrich! What frightens me is when they No sooner had he spoken than the owner He said to him ‘So, too, will be your say to me: ‘Zushia! Why weren’t you of the mansion peeked out and said to descendants.’” (14:24) Two great rabbis of the previous gen- Zushia! The Zushia that you could have him: “I am the master of the mansion.” eration, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein and Rabbi been, why weren’t you even that?’” Similarly, Avraham Avinu looked at the Yaakov Kaminetzky, were once seen “Go for yourself” can also be translated world and said “Don’t tell me that this standing beside the chauffeur-driven car as “Go to yourself....” The mystical world — so perfectly furnished — has no which was to take them home, discussing sources explain this to mean: “Go to the master!” Then, the Holy One, Blessed be which of them was going to get out of the

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1 P ARSHA OVERVIEW

en generations have passed since the time of Noach. Man the rich but corrupt city of Sodom in the fertile plain of the Jordan. A war has descended to lower spiritual depths. In the year 1948 breaks out between the kings of the region, and Sodom is defeated. Lot after the Creation, Avram is born. Through observing the is taken captive. Together with a handful of his converts, Avram rescues TTworld, Avram comes to the inescapable Truth of Hashem’s Lot, miraculously overpowering vastly superior forces, but demurs from existence, and thus merits that Hashem reveal Himself to accepting any of the spoils of the battle. In a prophetic covenant, him. At the beginning of this week’s Parsha, Hashem tells Avram to leave Hashem reveals to Avram that his offspring will be exiled to a strange his land, his relatives and his father’s house and travel to an unknown land land where they will be oppressed for 400 years, after which they will where Hashem will make him into a great nation. Avram leaves, taking emerge with great wealth and return to Eretz Yisrael, their irrevocable with him his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, their servants, and those who he inheritance. Sarai is barren and gives Hagar, her Egyptian hand-maiden, converted to faith in Hashem. When they reach the land of Canaan, to Avram in the hope that she will provide them with a child. Hagar Hashem appears to Avram and tells him that this is the land that He will becomes arrogant when she discovers that she is pregnant. Sarai deals give to his descendants. A famine ensues and Avram is forced to relocate harshly with her and Hagar flees. On the instruction of an angel Hagar to Egypt to find food. Realizing that his wife’s beauty would cause his returns to Avram and gives birth to Yishmael. The Parsha concludes with death at the hand of the Egyptians, Avram asks her to say that she is his Hashem commanding Avram to circumcise himself and his offspring sister. Sarai is taken to the Pharaoh, but Hashem afflicts the Pharaoh and throughout the generations as a covenant between Hashem and his seed. his court with severe plagues and she is released unmolested. Avram Hashem changes Avram’s name to Avraham, and Sarai’s name to Sarah. returns to Eretz Yisrael (Canaan) with much wealth given to him by the Hashem promises Avraham a son, Yitzhak, despite Avraham being nine- Egyptians. After a quarrel over grazing rights between their shepherds, ty-nine years old and Sarah ninety. On that day, Avraham circumcises Avram decides to part ways with his nephew Lot. Lot chooses to live in himself, Yishmael and all his household.

HAFTORAH: ISAIAH 40:27-41:16 vraham Avinu is known as Ha-Ivri their own failures and exile, and the resis- worthless dust. With great ceremony the AA— the Hebrew — which means tance and apathy of the nations. “jewels” were presented to the Emperor, “the one who crossed over.” He Hashem has promised that ultimately and slowly the box was opened in front of crossed over from being an idol worship- they must prevail, for though the Jewish him. per to serving the living G­d. People may seem worm-like in their The Emperor’s rage knew no bounds Even if the rest of the world is on the insignificance and powerlessness, they will at this unbelievable insult from the Jews. other side, the Hebrew — the one who vanquish those who now seem invincible. Suddenly, the prophet Eliyahu appeared in crosses over — stands up and says “Stop the guise of one of the Emperor’s minis- worshipping your idols of stone, of DUST AND JEWELS ters and said: “Your Imperial Majesty, this money, of worldly power, and acknowl- must be the special dust that the Jews’ “...As much dust as Avraham used, edge that Hashem alone is G-d.” forefather Abraham used to defeat the turned into swords...” (41:2). The task of the Jewish People has four kings, as it says ‘...As much dust as always been to deliver this message to the achum Ish Gamzu was a man Avraham used turned into swords....’ Let us, world. The prophet Isaiah encourages whose very name expressed his at least, try the dust and see if it works for Israel to persevere both in the face of NN us as well.” essence. No matter what hap- pened to him he would always say “This is The Emperor agreed and Hashem also for the good!” He never doubted caused a miracle — the dust indeed that what Hashem does is always for the proved to be lethal against the Emperor’s O H R N E T best. enemies. Nachum was chosen to travel to the We must remember that even in the THE OHR SOMAYACH TORAH MAGAZINE ON THE INTERNET Emperor and present him with a box filled darkest moments of exile, when all our jewels look like dust, Hashem will bring Published by with precious stones as tribute from the OHR SOMAYACH Jewish People. On the way, unknown to the prophet Eliyahu to announce the TANENBAUM COLLEGE POB 18103, Jerusalem 91180, Israel • 02-581-0315 Nachum, the jewels were switched with dawn of redemption. • Midrash General Editor: Rabbi Moshe Newman Editorial & Web Advisor: Rabbi Reuven Lauffer Associate Editors: LOVE OF THE LAND Rabbi Mordechai Becher, Rabbi Reuven Subar Selections from classical Torah sources which express the special Contributing Writers: Weekly Daf, Love of the Land: relationship between the People of Israel and Eretz Yisrael Rav Mendel Weinbach Insights, Overview, Haftorah: Rabbi Yaakov Asher Sinclair WORTH MOVING FOR Web Production: Lev Seltzer Produced and Designed by the Office of Communications Rabbi Eliezer Shapiro, Director abbi Ami and Rabbi Asi, who climate of Eretz Yisrael. These two © 1997 OHR SOMAYACH INSTITUTIONS - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PRINTED IN ISRAEL AT OLD CITY PRESS 02-651-1529 R studied Torah in Eretz Yisrael, Talmudic giants could apparently have • THIS PUBLICATION CONTAINS WORDS OF TORAH. PLEASE TREAT IT WITH DUE RESPECT. Rwould leave their place of study endured the discomfort of heat or cold

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• If you have a question about Judaism, you can submit it to ASK THE RABBI. Just send your question using E-Mail to “[email protected]” and set the subject to these moves, explains Rashi, in order to they so loved. They therefore decided “ASK THE RABBI”. We can’t include all questions submitted in the column, but we avoid having any complaints about the it was worth making this sacrifice. do try to respond to everyone personally.

2 PARSHA Q&A ?

1. What are three things diminished by travel? cally? 2. “And all the families of the earth will be blessed through 12. Why didn’t Avraham accept any money from the king of you.” What does this mean? S’dom? 3. Who were the souls that Avraham and Sarah “made?” 13. Why was Avraham anxious after he defeated the four 4. Which one of Noach’s three sons received the Land of kings? Canaan as part of his inheritance? 14. When did the decree of four hundred years of exile 5. What two results did Avraham hope to achieve by saying begin? that Sarah was his sister? 15. What did Hashem indicate with his promise to Avraham 6. Why did Avraham’s shepherds rebuke Lot’s shepherds? that he would “come to his ancestors in peace?” 7. Who was Amrafel and why was he called that? 16. How did Hashem fulfill his promise to Avraham that he 8. What does “hera” mean (verse 14:10). would be buried in “a good old age?” 9. Why did the “palit” tell Avraham that Lot had been cap- 17. Why did Avraham die five years before his allotted time? tured? 18. Why did the Jewish people need to wait until the fourth 10. Who accompanied Avraham into battle against the four generation until they returned to Eretz Canaan? kings? 19. Who was Hagar’s father? 11. Why did Avraham give “maaser” to Malki-Tzedek specifi- 20. How old was Avraham when Yishmael was born?

BONUS QUESTION?

Rashi never ‘just’ comments; something in the text always Rashi explains: “After this miracle was wrought for him impels him to do so. Rashi’s comments are answers to unspo- in that he killed the kings, he was worried, saying ‘Perhaps ken questions and difficulties arising from a thoughtful reading of I have already received reward for all my good deeds.’ the Torah. Therefore, anyone who wants a true understanding Therefore, G-d said to him, ‘Fear not Avram, I am your of Rashi’s classic Torah commentary must always ask “What’s shield’ against punishment; for you will not be punished on bothering Rashi?” account of all these people whom you have killed ” Bereishis 15:1 “After these things, the word of What’s bothering Rashi? (Why didn’t Rashi explain sim- Hashem came to Avram in a vision saying ‘Fear not ply that Avram was afraid that the allies of the four kings Avram, I am your shield .’” would regroup and try to get revenge against him?) answer on page six I DIDN’T KNOW THAT!

“And it was in the days of Amraphel they waged war (Bereishis 13:1,2)” The war of “The four kings against the five kings” described in this week’s Parasha was the first war ever waged in history. • Midrash Tanchuma Lech Lecha 7

PARSHA Q&A!

Answers to this Week’s Questions! All references are to the verses and Rashi’s commentary unless otherwise stated.

1. 12:2 - Offspring, wealth and fame. (fel) into the fiery furnace. 14. 15:13 - With the birth of Yitzchak. 2. 12:3 - A person will say to his 8. 14:10 - To a mountain. 15. 15:15 - That his father, Terach, son, “You should be like 9. 14:13- He hoped Avraham would repented and became righteous. Avraham.” die trying to save Lot, so that he 16. 15:15 - Avraham lived to see his 3. 12:5 - People they converted to might be able to marry Sarah. son, Yishmael, repent and the worship of Hashem. 10. 14:14 - His servant, Eliezer. become righteous, and he died 4. 12:6 - Shem. 11. 14:20 - Because Malki-Tzedek before his grandson, Esau, 5. 12:13 - That the Egyptians would was a kohen. became wicked. let him live and give him pre- 12. 14:23 - Hashem had promised 17. 15:15 - So as not to see Esau sents. Avraham wealth, and Avraham begin his pursuit of evil. 6. 13:7 - Lot’s shepherds grazed didn’t want the King of S’dom to 18. 15:16 - They needed to wait their flocks in privately owned be the one to take credit for it. until the Amorites had sinned fields. 13. 15:1 - He was afraid that his vic- sufficiently to deserve expulsion. 7. 14:1 - Amrafel was Nimrod. He tory was his reward for all his 19. 16:1 - Pharaoh. said (amar) to Avraham to fall good deeds. 20. 16:16 - Eighty-six.

3 Insights, explanations and comments for the seven pages of Talmud studied in the course of the worldwide Daf Yomi cycle. WEEKLY DAF

BERACHOS 37 - 43 ing preceding this controversial word 150:6). What pleasure is there that THE RIGHT WORD is “Haolam.” If we were to follow it only the soul enjoys and not the body? with “Motzi” we would have a word Surely it is the pleasure which comes What blessing does one make on ending with an “m” sound coming from the sense of smell. bread? before one which begins with an “m” Maharsha notes that animals, like Surely everyone knows the answer sound and face the risk of running the men, have fine senses, including the to that question is “Hamotzi lechem two words together as a single word. sense of smell, despite the fact that min ha’aretz” (He Who has brought But don’t we face the same prob- they have no souls. He suggests, bread forth from the earth). lem in regard to the two words however, that animals, which have But not all the Sages agreed on the “lechem” and “min”? True, adds only a life force and not a soul, do not first word of this phrase. One opinion Tosefos, but our Sages did not wish to have the capacity to enjoy the fra- is that “Motzi” should be said because tamper with the phrase “lechem min grances they smell (as an instinct to it is past tense while “Hamotzi” is ha’aretz” which is taken from a pas- aid their survival), an enjoyment future tense. Since the bread you are sage in Tehillim (104:4). That passage, reserved for the soul within men. about to eat has already been brought incidentally, contains ten words, notes An interesting observation about forth from the earth the past tense is Tosefos, and thus provides a hint to smell has been made by the great more appropriate. There is a consen- place the ten fingers of both our Chassidic thinkers. In the sin commit- sus that “Motzi” is past tense and a hands on the bread when we make ted by Adam and Chava when they difference of opinion as to whether our “Hamotzi” blessing on it. ate from the forbidden fruit of the “Hamotzi” is as well. • Berachos 38b Tree of Knowledge, virtually all of the It would therefore seem that the senses were involved. They heard safe thing to do would be to say THE FIFTH SENSE the incitement of the serpent, saw the “Motzi,” which is acceptable to all. beauty of the fruit, touched and tast- Nevertheless, the ruling of the ed it. All of these senses therefore Gemara is that we say “Hamotzi” Where is the source in Scripture became affected with materialism. which is proper only according to one for the concept of making a blessing Only the sense of smell was not school of thought. on the enjoyment we derive from a involved in this sin and it therefore The reason for this, explains pleasant fragrance? remains pristine enough to still be Tosefos on the basis of the Jerusalem “Let every soul give praise to enjoyed by the pure soul. Talmud, is that the word in the bless- Hashem” says King David (Tehillim • Berachos 43b

continued from page one PARSHA INSIGHTS car first. heavens they are in reality entire univers- respect, they gain respect for themselves. As Reb Moshe lived nearer, and would es. This in turn can give them the encourage- thus get out first, he got in the back and When you look at another person, ment to fulfill their potential greatness and Reb Yaakov got in the front. The reason realize that he is a star! (Not the shine all the more brightly. for their discussion was that if Reb Moshe Hollywood variety.) A galactic mirror, had sat in the front, then when he exited reflecting the infinite light of the Creator. Sources: the driver would look like a chauffeur, and He may seem very small to you. He may Greatest Blessing - Rabbi Meir Chadash they were concerned for the dignity of the not have achieved much. But his potential On Being Oneself - Rabbi Shlomo Yosef Zevin The Towering Inferno - Midrash Rabba; Chazon driver. is vaster than the trackless emptiness of Ish; Rabbi Moshe Shapiro The Ba’al Shem Tov explains that the space. as heard from Rabbi Nota Schiller descendants of Avraham are like stars. When you see people in this light, you Acting Like Stars - Rabbi Zelig Pliskin; From our point of view the stars seem like will behave towards them with great Mayana Shel Torah; Rabbi Nissan Wolpin insignificant specks of light, whereas in the respect, and when you show others GET CONNECTED To OHR SOMAYACH on the WEB OVER A BILLION BYTES OF TORAH LITERATURE AND INFORMATION wwwwww.ohr.ohr.org.il.org.il

4 ASK the RABBI

with one stomp of its foot. The End. they can flee at the appearance of an A JEWISH ENVIRONMENT But imagine — what would happen if attacker and digest their food later. everyone in the world kept Shabbat? The same applies to fish: the fins aid Imagine one day a week when no cars, retreat while the scales act as a protective Bill Clark wrote: planes or boats guzzled gas, no factories covering. Together, they are specifica- coughed out polluted stench, no TVs, tions which classify them as the hunted I have a question for the Rabbi! stereos, or computers leeched electricity? and not as the hunters. I have been writing a column on Just imagine the health benefits if energy conservation for a local everyone rested once a week! And how Sources: Jewish magazine, The Jewish many road deaths (the majority of which • Chullin 59a, 66b Outlook, in Austin Texas. I have occur on weekends) would be avoided. • Niddah 51b been proud to cite many Biblical Most of all, imagine the positive environ- • Gaon of Vilna on “Sabei Devei Atuna” and Rabbinic references to encour- • Ramban Leviticus 11:13 mental impact if we all took one day a age people to “repair the world” and week to recognize the beauty of G-d’s to practice energy conservation. world. If one day in seven were spent Then I read about an organiza- TENDING THE BAR MITZVAH thinking: “This is G-d’s world, not mine!” tion in Israel that makes gadgets No, I don’t think Shabbat observance is Judith Subar that let people follow the Sabbath going to eat a hole in the ozone layer. It wrote: rules, but still live in the modern might even mend one. world. One is a light that stays on Dear Rabbi, all the time, but has a cover that Something bothered me recently can be taken off when light is need- FINS ON THE SCALE when I attended an Orthodox Bar ed. Mostly they get around the Mitzvah week-end. The Orthodox injunction against using an electri- caterers were serving food during cal switch that way — by keeping Miles Levin from Pittsburgh Shabbat. They seemed to be work- things on all the time. Wasting wrote: ing very hard on the Shabbat. energy, in other words. What is the halacha for preparing, Which is more important — to For fish to be Kosher, the Torah serving, and cleaning up during conserve energy and help renew the says they need to have fins and Shabbat? Thank you! world in a sincere effort — or to scales. I’ve learned that there adhere to the Sabbath in an almost aren’t any fish or any sea animals Dear Judith Subar, comical circumvention of the rules? which have scales and yet no fins. On Shabbat, 39 categories of creative I think it is clearly the former. So why is the qualifier “fins” neces- activities are forbidden by the Torah. sary? These include such things as cooking, Dear Bill Clark, writing and building a fire. Other prohibi- The gadget you mention is used main- Dear Miles Levin, tions were added by our Sages to safe- ly in hospitals. When the light is covered, Your question is asked by the Talmud guard the sanctity and spirit of Shabbat. the patient can sleep, and it can be uncov- some 1500 years ago. (It’s fascinating that As long as the caterer avoids any of ered whenever the patient needs care. At our Sages knew this fact.) these forbidden activities, he is allowed to home most people use timers, pro- Simply to identify kosher fish, it would “work” on Shabbat. For example, all food grammed before Shabbat to turn lights off have been enough for the Torah to simply must be cooked in advance and kept and on. These timers save energy. write “scales,” since every fish with scales warm on a stove that was lit before But I’m in the dark about something: also has fins. However when looking at Shabbat. He doesn’t violate the spirit of What is it about this gadget that “comical- these specifications as the reason for the Shabbat either, because his efforts are ly circumvents the rules?” Is blocking the fish being kosher, both are essential. Let Shabbat related. light a “circumvention of the rules?” If so, me explain: Another issue is the Rabbinic prohibi- we shouldn’t shut our bedroom door An elementary understanding behind tion against earning wages on Shabbat. Friday night if it blocks the hall light. We all the laws of kashrut is the concept that The Sages forbade earning wages for a shouldn’t shut our eyes, because then our the soul is influenced by whatever the Shabbat activity, even if the activity itself is eyelids block the light! We should stay body eats. The Talmud states that the permitted. They limited this prohibition, awake the whole night staring straight kosher birds are the ones that are non- however, only to payment designated into the light! aggressive, so that we shouldn’t absorb specifically for work done on Shabbat. But But to answer the question “which is bad character traits by eating them. This if the pay is part of a “package deal” more important, observing the Torah or can also explain the requirement for which includes work done during the conserving energy” — observing the kosher animals having split hooves which week, such as setting up before Shabbat Torah is more important. G-d, as are used for fleeing, as opposed to claws and cleaning up after Shabbat, then even Creator, owns the world and has the right used for attacking. Chewing the cud is the Shabbat wages are permitted. to direct the use of its resources. the compensation to allow these species Remember the movie “Bambi vs. to flee when necessary but still be able to Godzilla?” (It was a very short film.) Your maintain an appropriate intake of food in Sources: portrayal of “Environment vs. Shabbat” harsh environments. In a short stay upon • Shulchan Aruch 306:4 reminds me of it: Shabbat, the giant mon- a fertile feeding ground they are able to • Mishna Berurah 306:16 ster, “squishes” the tender Environment accumulate enough fodder to survive, and • Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata 28:59

continued on page six 5 ASKtheRABBI...continued from page five

BMW and Mercedes, both are example, a friend of mine would never THE RABBI’S CAR $40,000 cars and I want to buy one. buy a German car because his mother, a But then I was told that there is a Holocaust survivor, would be deeply hurt (Name withheld) wrote, halachic issue with buying those and offended. cars, because they are German. As for the Rabbi who bought the Dear Rabbi, Mercedes, we can’t judge a person with- What do you think of a Rabbi, with Dear Alex and (Name Withheld), out knowing all the circumstances, a large number of survivors in his Many people refrain from buying motives and pressures that the person congregation, that buys a Mercedes German products as a way of showing experiences. Judaism tells us that “You Benz automobile? their moral outrage at the behavior of the shall not hate your fellow man in your German people during the Holocaust. heart,” rather you should tell the other Alex Strictly speaking, however, there’s no person what’s bothering you about his Glenview, Illinois wrote: halachic basis for not buying German behavior. I suggest that you speak direct- products. ly to the rabbi in a respectful manner and Dear Rabbi, But a person should always consider clarify the issue with him. What is the halachic standing on how his actions will affect others. For buying German cars. I have tested

New Feature ! ed dancing with him. Later the ladies did the same with the bride. The rest as they say is history. PUBLIC David Rockove

DOMAIN I once heard another reason for the braids of the Challahs. Comments, quibbles and reactions Each challah has three braids, times four (twice Lechem concerning previous “Ask-the-Rabbi” features. Mishna) gives us 12. There were 12 Lechem Haponim on the Shulchan in the Mikdash. Rabbi Asher Schechter from Fair Lawn, NJ I would just like to add that the custom to pick up the Bride and Groom on chairs began in the late 1930’s here in NY. My father and his friends made a wedding for one of the poorer We usually put a small 3 braid on top of a larger 3 braid and boys in the yeshiva. It turned out to be one of the most beau- bake them together, or we make a six-braided challa. When tiful and lively weddings that they ever attended. In the heat we use two loaves made in this way we actually have 12, rep- of the dancing, some of the boys lifted the groom and start- resenting the lechem hapanim. Nancy Wells from Dallas, Texas

YIDDLE RIDDLE

Last week we asked: Answer: Noach and Er, son of Judah. Concerning Noach the verse says “Noach found favor (chein) in Of which two people in the Torah can it be said that Hashem’s eyes.” In Hebrew, Chein is Noach spelled their names spelled backwards are words used by the backwards. Concerning Er the verse says “And Er, Torah to describe them? Judah’s firstborn, was evil (rah) in Hashem’s eyes. In Hebrew, Rah is Er spelled backwards. • Bereishet 6:8, 38:7

continued from page three BONUS ANSWER!

Avram had soundly defeated the four kings. G-d saw no need to embolden Avram before his battle, so why should He do so now, after Avram was victorious? Therefore, Rashi explains that Avram’s fear resulted from a new concern; namely, that his miraculous victory had somehow caused him a spiritual loss. • Adapted from Dr. Avigdor Bonchek’s new book “What’s Bothering Rashi?” (Feldheim Publishers)

RECOMMENDED READING LIST

RAMBAN 13:7 The Quarrel of the SFORNO 12:6 A Sign for the Children Shepherds 12:17 Pharaoh’s Plague 12:8 Proclaiming the Name of 14:1 The Four Kings 16:12 Yishmael Hashem 15:12 The Dreadful Vision 17:1 Attaining Perfection 12:10 The Sin of Avram 16:12 Yishmael

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