Parshas Vayetzei November 27, 2020

A Taste of Stories for the Soul Earn Your Destiny Dress Rehearsal by Rabbi Dov Holczer Rabbi Shimshon Pincus (1944/45- As the parsha opens, Yaakov leaves marry Yaakov, but so did Leah! How 2001) would often speak of the travels to Charan, where he will can such a thing possibly happen? power of . He would say that marry and build the Twelve Tribes Leah’s tears, discussed by Rashi, were if one truly desires something from and, by extension, the Jewish Nation. not empty tears, explains the Shem Hashem, he must pray with all his At the end of last week’s parsha, Mishmuel. Leah cried to Hashem heart and soul and beg Hashem to Yaakov’s mother Rivka had sent him to spare her having to marry Eisav. help him, and related an incident to the house of her brother Lavan in The power of prayer is so great that that occurred to him as a young boy. Charan to escape Yaakov’s murderous it can even overturn something that brother Eisav, who sought to avenge At the age of six, he begged his is predetermined. However, the father, Rabbi Avraham Pincus, to what he saw as Yaakov’s theft of the Shem Mishmuel provides a deeper blessings meant for him, and to find allow him to attend the all-night explanation of the aforementioned Torah study session that his father a wife. Which brings us to the story of predetermined destiny of whom one Lavan and his two daughters. was attending the first night of will marry which shows the greatness Shavuos. His father, however, told The Torah tells us (Vayetze 29:16-17) of Leah beyond her power of prayer. him he could not go and departed that Lavan had two daughters, Leah He states that the idea that a particular for the bais medrash. and Rochel. The Torah describes couple are destined for each other is Leah as having tender eyes, while based upon the character traits and A short while later, the elder Rabbi Rochel was beautiful. Rashi explains realization of potential of the two Pincus had a change of heart and that Leah’s tender eyes were due to parties. These two individuals, with returned home to take the young that fact that she would cry because their unique traits and potential, Shimshon with him. To his surprise, the locals would say, “Lavan had two will perfectly complement each he found Shimshon already dressed daughters; his sister Rivka two sons. other in fulfilling their purpose on in his holiday finery, ready to go. The older (Leah) to the older (Eisav), Earth – assuming that they are both The father asked the young boy why and younger (Rochel) to the younger on track up to the point when they he was already dressed. (Yaakov).” Hearing that her destiny are to meet and marry. If one or the The boy explained that he had lay with the wicked Eisav brought other, using his or her free will, goes known his father would return Leah much pain, causing her to cry. in a different direction, they are no home for him, for he had prayed to The Shem Mishmuel (Rabbi Shmuel longer the perfect match that they Hashem with all his might that he be Bornsztain of Sochatchov; 1855 were supposed to be. allowed to attend the all-night study –1926) takes this matchmaking idea The fact that Rochel was destined session. Because of his heartfelt to the next level. He explains that this for Yaakov and Leah for Eisav means prayer, concluded Shimshon, he wasn’t just a bad joke made up by the that Yaakov’s and Rochel’s natural had been confident his father would local townspeople in Charan. Our traits and mission in life made them return home for him! Sages teach that forty days prior to suited for each other, while Eisav’s Hashem cause most of the the formation of a fetus (the moment and Leah’s personalities and mission Matriarchs, with the exception of of conception), a bas kol (echo of a made them a good couple. This status Leah, to wait for many years before Heavenly voice) announces whom quo would remain only so long as all having children. Our Sages teach the unborn child will marry. Leah, of the people involved did what they us that Hashem caused this to with her great spiritual stature, was were supposed to do. Had Yaakov happen because He desired to hear aware that her predestined mate decided to go in the direction of evil, their . It was not the natural was, indeed, Eisav, while Rochel was though, he would have lost Rochel. process of events, but, rather, their destined for Yaakov. Yet this is not Which was, in fact, the case with prayers that brought them their what happened. Rochel did, indeed, Leah. Eisav had a propensity for evil, children. Continued on back Kollel Happenings Halacha Riddles NEW! MILE HIGH TORAH Last week we asked: When is it 2 Kavod Hapas 4 [pg. 18]). Even if one PODCAST problematic to leave bread hanging? is particular to avoid hanging bread, a teacher may hang students’ lunch bags The Kollel is pleased to introduce Answer: The Gemara (Pesachim Mile High Torah Podcast. 111b) states that leaving a basket from hooks and the like (Ohr Letzion Featuring a variety of subjects, with bread in it hanging is a cause ibid.; see Vezos Habracha ibid.). In from halacha to hashkafa of poverty. While this ruling is not addition, hanging bread for a mitzvah to haftara, you are sure to cited in the Shulchan Aruch, it is purpose, such as the bag containing find a Torah podcast that will cited in the Shulchan Aruch Harav the bread from bedikas chametz, is also pique your interest! Available (Hilchos Shemiras Haguf Vihanefesh permitted (Kaf Hachaim 434:13). on Amazon, Google, iTunes, 9) and Kaf Hachaim (180:14), and This week’s question: What category Podbean, Spotify & Stitcher. some contemporary authorities advise of food, due to multiple opinions as to Visit https://jewishpodcasts. caution (Ohr Letzion 12:18). However, its exact identity, leads to many types fm/denvercommunitykollel for many halachic authorities rule that of foods requiring a mezonos blessing all podcasts. one needn’t be concerned with this instead of hamotzi? THE SEVEN DAYS OF issue (see Vizos Habracha 5761 ed. Ch. CREATION ON ZOOM The Story of Creation is one of the most cryptic parts of Lives of Our Torah Leaders the Torah – yet it is also the Rabbi Saadia - Part V very beginning of the Torah! During his time in Eretz Yisrael, a had weakened, and the yeshiva in Join Rabbi Avraham Dovid controversy emerged that brought Rav Pumbedisa had emerged as the main Karnowsky on Monday nights, Saadia’s scholarship and leadership yeshiva in . The eventual 7:10-7:55 pm, for a seven- qualities to the fore. closing of the yeshiva seemed to part Zoom series focused on The leader of the Jewish community signal some weakening of the Torah achieving a deeper perspective in Eretz Yisrael at this time was a man leadership of Babylon. The Exilarch in of the Seven Days of Creation. by the name of Rabbi Aharon ben Babylon was empowered to appoint the These classes, based on the Meir, a scion of the princely families Rosh Yeshiva (dean) of the Babylonian teachings of the brilliant Torah yeshivos, but the decision often took scholar and teacher Rabbi who had led the Jewish People in the Holy Land for centuries. While on political overtones. The Exilarch at Moshe Shapiro, will allow this time, Dovid ben Zakkai, became you to get re-acquainted with the Torah scholars of Babylon had embroiled in a dispute with the Torah some of the fundamentals of been the supreme Torah authority Torah in a deeper fashion. Visit for centuries, Rabbi ben Meir sought leadership in Babylon regarding whom www.denverkollel.org or email to reestablish the Torah scholars of to appoint as the new Rosh Yeshiva [email protected] for Eretz Yisrael to their former place of of Pumbedisa, further weakening the more info. international leadership. leadership of the Babylonian Torah scholars.

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