returned to Eretz ? 19. Who was Hagar’s father? 20. Why did Avraham fall on his face when Hashem appeared to him? s"xc Schedule of Services/Events I Did Not Know That! THE BAIS YISROEL “And you will call his name Yitzchak… (17:19)” Avraham’s name was changed from Avram (Bereishet 17:5), and Yaakov’s name was changed to Yisrael (Bereishet Shabbos Parshas Lech Lecha HABBOS BSERVER 32:29). Why was Yitzchak’s name never changed? Because Avraham and Yaakov Shacharis 8:30 A.M. S O received their names from their parents, while Yitzchak received his name from Pirchei TBA Issue Number 447 6 Cheshvan 5763 Hashem. ( Talmud - Berachot 1:6) Mincha 5:55 P.M. Parshas Lech Lecha October 18 & 19, 2002 Shabbos Over 7: 12 P.M. The Bais Yisroel Shabbos Observer is a weekly publication that brings you divrei on the week's parsha from around the world and around the block as well as events going on in the Bais Yisroel Community. To submit a dvar Torah or item of interest to the community Sunday contact Hindy or Arnie Frishman at 952-927-5134 before Thursday of each week. Shacharis 7:00 & 8:00 A.M. Sports and Learning 8:45 A.M. Kollel Mincha 2:45 P.M. Mincha/Maairv 6:00 P.M. Page Numbers Second Maairv 10:00 P.M. Shabbos Parshas Lech-Lecha Artscroll p. 54, Hirsch p. 60, Haftorah Artscroll p. 1133. Hirsch p.825. Monday - Thursday Shacharis 6:50 & 7:10 A.M. Bnos: 2:30 - 3:30 P.M. Kollel Mincha 2:45 P.M. PK-K: Elisheva Miller 2631 Quentin Mincha/Maairv 6:00 P.M. Kdgn: Bayla Weinberg 2818 Raleigh Second Maairv 10:00 P.M. 1-2: Chanie Weinberg 2841 Inglewood 3-4: Rivka and Tova Heisler 2933 Ottawa Erev Shabbos Parshas VaYerah 5-6: Gibber 2704 Joppa Shacharis 6:50 & 7:00 A.M. Light Candles 5:54 P.M. Waxman's Question Mincha 5:55 P.M. This Week's Question: Many names end with k-t such as kthnjrh ktfhn kthrcd ktrah How are the names kthbs and ktgnah different from all the others. Answer to Last Week's Question: Which word in this week’s varp is used as a noun, but elsewhere in the vru, it is both the name of the city and the name of a person. ofa is also the name of a city and the name of a person.

Kindergarten Pirchei Group Welcome to Congregation Bais Yisroel! Looking for something to do during the upcoming cold and dark winter nights? The Kollel Due to popular demand, Pirchei will be having a Kindergarten group beginning has a variety of great learning opportunities: Hebrew Reading Comprehension, Talmud Tools, this Shabbos at the home of Moshe Chaim Neuwirth, 2819 Salem, 2:30-3:30 P.M. Women's Partners in Torah, Weekly Parsha Class, just to name a few. And of course, one-on- Shiurim Given by HaRav Moshe Tuvia Lieff: one learning. Contact Rabbi Menachem Frank for more details. Mark Your Calendars for Sha'arim Chinese Auction Mark your calendars for the annual Sha'arim Chinese Auction, " Gateways to Inter- ;hk vhcuy van national Education," Sunday, November 10th at 6:00 P.M. (Drawings at 8:00 P.M.) ktrah ,hc ,khve cr Message From the Rav at the Minneapolis J.C.C. TBA vyuxhbhn w xhkupthbhn Torah Academy Gift Store Sale Dvar Torah from Rabbi Yosil Rosenzweig Announces a seris of sales beginning October 10 through the 21st. All Yomim The Talmud, when discussing Avraham 2. He crossed over from the “other Noraim related material and all Chumashim and seforim on Chumash (Hebrew and For membership information or general information regarding activities and events at Bais Yisroel, write Congregation Bais Yisroel, 4221 Sunset Blvd., St. Louis Park, Minnesota 55416 or contact HaIvri (Avraham the Hebrew) informs us side” of humanity. Beyond Avraham English) are 20% off List Price. All Tapes and CDs $1 off. Videos $2 off. Sales is HaRav Moshe Tuvia Lieff at (952) 926-7867 or (952) 922 8881. E-mail: [email protected] Be that he was referred to as HaIvri (which Avinu’s absolute Bitachon (assur- limited to in-stock items only. sure to visit the Bais Yisroel Website at http://www.baisyisroel.org. The BYSO is published in means the one from the other side) for two ance) in Hashem, Avraham was dis- Lost conjunction with Puma Press. reasons: 1. He came from the other side tinct among his fellow men by al- Adult sized Tallis standard black white color. White cloth inner lining on reverse the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. ways displaying the quality of side of embroidered area misplaced since beginning of Elul. Please check if you B Y mistakenly took mine for yours. Avi Yardley 952-922-2059. *** A pink Gap baby This Issue of the BYSO is sponsored by the Murray Family in loving coat size 3XL was left at the Shul on Simchas Torah day. If you have any info S O please call Dini Gres at 915-4475. memory of Marcie's Father, Yaakov Ben Mordechai Ber Chesed (loving kindness). Pirke Avot (1:2) states that: “the world was established latter Tzadik was Avraham HaIrvri, our ancestor. Through his Chesed, he “crossed leveled off and tried to bomb the target one more time. Suddenly the cockpit radio upon three foundations; Torah, Service to Hashem and Acts of Loving kindness.” over” from a world devoid of virtue, to a world in which he influenced others to have spluttered into life: “Freddy! - What are you playing at?! Get out of there now! Avraham was unique in a world which was steeped in idolatry, adultery and murder. the desire for virtue. Avraham set the tone for the rest of us. His Chesed is a part of There’s more flak around those dams than guests at a Buck House tea party!” “Sorry, Since the Time of Noach, no other human being had displayed the proper blend of each of us, passed on in our spiritual DNA. Like Avraham, we also must Ovayr (cross skipper. I’m going in one more time - even if it means that you’ll have to pick up Torah, Avodah (Service to Hashem) and G’milut Chasadim (Acts of Loving kind- over) from a world which lacks virtue to a world where we create in ourselves, our my medal for me...” Hashem tested Avraham Avinu ten times. The first of these ness). When Hashem made His covenant with Noach (B’rayshit 9:1-17), it was a families and in all those with whom we have contact, the desire for righteousness. tests was to leave his land, his birthplace and his father’s house. However, the “Torah,” an instruction, for all generations to come. In fact, it is still in effect for ‘extra words’ here - “for yourself” - indicate that Hashem told Avraham that this . Avraham wasn’t the only person to live by the Sheva Mitzvot B’nai Noach journey was for his own benefit. If Avraham Avinu knew that leaving his roots was (the seven Noachide Commandments - see last week’s Parsha sheet) but he was the for his own benefit, how could this be a test? The answer is that sometimes it is only one to actively influence others to do so. The Jewish concept of Avodah is easier for us to serve G-d when we think we are being self-sacrificing, than when based on the Temple service. Without a Temple, the service to Hashem has become we know there’s something in it for ourselves. It appeals to our innate sense of self- prayer. The three times for the daily Temple “duty” reverted to established times of Parshas Lech Lecha dramatization to see ourselves as martyrs to the cause. Many are the epics that play prayer set by our ancestors. The Torah states: Vayashkaym Avraham Baboker (and in the cinemas of our minds in which we have the title role of the selfless hero, Avraham arose in the morning B’rayshit 22:3). The scene in which this verse is Ten generations have passed since Noach. Man has descended spiritually. In the year taking arms against a sea of troubles, and all without benefit or profit to ourselves. found is the morning after Hashem’s demand that Avraham sacrifice his only son 1948 from Creation, Avram is born. By observing the world, Avram comes to the The test that Hashem gave Avraham was that he would have to work without the Yitzchak. Avraham arose early in the morning before they set out for Moriah and inescapable Truth of Hashem’s existence, and thus merits that Hashem appear to him. romanticism of self-sacrifice and still do Hashem’s will with the same enthusiasm prayed to Hashem, drawing the strength he needed before proceeding on his way. At the beginning of this week’s Parsha, Hashem tells Avram to leave his land, his as some dashing hero flying his plane to a date with destiny. Avraham set the tone for all subsequent generations for Avodah. In later Parshiot, relatives and his father’s house and travel to an unknown land where Hashem will we see examples of Avraham’s Chesed: He was a gracious host; he washed his make him into a great nation. Avram leaves, taking with him his wife Sarai, his nephew Parsha Questions guest’s feet; prepared their food; and he even sat at the opening of his tent searching , their servants, and those whom they converted to faith in Hashem. When they for guests. And when he was confronted with the news of Sodom’s imminent de- reach the land of Canaan, Hashem appears to Avram and tells him that this is the land 1. What benefits did Hashem promise Avraham if he would leave his home? struction, Avraham pleaded with Hashem to save the populace. Avraham was the that He will give to his descendants. A famine ensues and Avram is forced to relocate 2. “And all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.” What does this paradigm of Chesed. But our tradition teaches us that there were others like Shem to Egypt to find food. Realizing that his wife’s beauty would cause his death at the mean? and Ever who were great Tzadikim. So why was Avraham singled out by Hashem hand of the Egyptians, Avram asks her to say that she is his sister. Sarai is taken to the 3. Who were the souls that Avraham and “made?” and given the title “Yedid” (My friend)? The answer can be found at the end of the Pharaoh, but Hashem afflicts the Pharaoh and his court with severe plagues and she is 4. What were the Canaanites doing in the Land of Canaan when Avraham arrived? Psalm for the Sabbath Day (Psalm 92). Tzadik Katamar Yifrach,/K’erez Bil’vanon released unmolested. Avram returns to Eretz Yisrael (Canaan) with much wealth given 5. Why did Avraham build an altar at Ai? Yisgeh,Shetulim B’vayt Hashem,Bichatzrot Elokaynu Yafrichu.(The righteous will to him by the Egyptians. During a quarrel over grazing rights between their shep- 6. What two results did Avraham hope to achieve by saying that Sarah was his blossom like a Date Palm,They will grow just like the Cedars of Lebanon, Planted herds, Avram decides to part ways with his nephew Lot. Lot chooses to live in the rich sister? in Hashem’s House, They will flourish in the courtyards of our G-d.) In last week’s but corrupt city of Sodom in the fertile plain of the Jordan. A war breaks out between 7. Why did Avraham’s shepherds rebuke Lot’s shepherds? Parsha, we learned that the world was destroyed because of wickedness. Yet Noach the kings of the region, and Sodom is defeated. Lot is taken captive. Together with a 8. Who was Amrafel and why was he called that? and his family were spared because they were righteous. In fact the opening words handful of his converts, Avram rescues Lot, miraculously overpowering vastly supe- 9. Verse 14:7 states that the four kings “smote all the country of the Amalekites.” of the Parsha were Noach Ish Tzadik Haya B’dorotav (And Noach was a righteous rior forces, but Avram demurs from accepting any of the spoils of the battle. In a How is this possible, since had not yet been born? man in his generation). True, the world was unworthy of existence because of the prophetic covenant, Hashem reveals to Avram that his offspring will be exiled to a 10. Why did the “palit” tell Avraham of Lot’s capture? degeneration of mankind’s behavior. But, amidst all that evil, Noach was an island strange land where they will be oppressed for 400 years, after which they will emerge 11. Who accompanied Avraham in battle against the four kings? of virtue. The teaches us that it took 120 years to build the Ark, and, Noach with great wealth and return to Eretz Yisrael, their irrevocable inheritance. Sarai is 12. Why couldn’t Avraham chase the four kings past Dan? constructed the Ark away from any large body of water. Why? So that people would barren and gives Hagar, her Egyptian hand-maiden, to Avram in the hope that she will 13. Why did Avraham give “ma’aser” specifically to Malki-Tzedek? have the opportunity to question why he was building it there, and he would have a provide them with a child. Hagar becomes arrogant when she discovers that she is 14. Why didn’t Avraham accept any money from Sodom’s king? chance to encourage the people to repent, and to become righteous. But he failed, pregnant. Sarai deals harshly with her, and Hagar flees. On the instruction of an 15. When did the decree of 400 years of exile begin? and the prophet (Isaiah 54:9) calls the flood “Mei Noach” (the waters of Noach) Hagar returns to Avram, and gives birth to Yishmael. The Parsha concludes with 16. What did Hashem indicate with His promise that Avraham would “come to his because he didn’t influence the others, and therefore it was as if Noach was the Hashem commanding Avram to circumcise himself and his offspring throughout the ancestors in peace?” cause of the flood. Avraham on the other hand, converted many thousands of the generations as a covenant between Hashem and his seed. Hashem changes Avram’s 17. How did Hashem fulfill His promise that Avraham would be buried in “a good evil people around him to righteousness. His Chesed was so profound that it af- name to Avraham, and Sarai’s name to Sarah. Hashem promises Avraham a son, old age?” fected not only his family, but also those who came in contact with him. So the Yitzchak, despite Avraham being ninety-nine years old and Sarah ninety. On that day, 18. Why did the Jewish People need to wait until the fourth generation until they Psalmist explains: The righteous will blossom like a Date Palm - that describes Avraham circumcises himself, Yishmael and all his household. 1. 12:1 - He would become a great nation, his excellence would become known to the world, and he would be blessed with wealth. 2. “12:3 - A person will say to his child, “You should Avraham. They will grow just like the Cedars of Lebanon - that describes Noach. be like Avraham.” 3. 12:5 - People they converted to the worship of Hashem. 4. 12:6 - They were in the process of conquering the land from the descendants of Shem. 5. 12:8 - He foresaw the Jewish People’s defeat there in the days of Yehoshua due to Achan’s sin. He built an altar to pray for them. 6. 12:13 - That the Egyptians would not kill him, and would Both the date palm and the cedar are tall, strong trees. Yet, one gives off flowers and Insights give him presents. 7. 13:7 - Lot’s shepherds grazed their flocks in privately owned fields. 8. 14:1 - Amrafel was . He said (amar) to Avraham to fall (fel) into the fiery furnace. 9. 14:7 - The Torah uses the name that the place would bear in the future. 10. 14:13- He wanted Avraham to die trying to save Lot so that he himself could marry Sarah. 11. 14:14 - His servant, Eliezer. 12. 14:14 - He saw prophetically that his descendants would make a there, and as a result his strength failed. 13. 14:20 - Because Malki-Tzedek was a fruit and the other does not. Similarly, there are two legitimate types of Tzadikim, kohen. 14. 14:23 - Hashem had promised Avraham wealth, and Avraham didn’t want Sodom’s King to say, “I made Avraham wealthy.” 15. 15:13 - With the birth of Yitzchak. 16. “Go for yourself from your land, from your relatives, and from your father’s house.” 15:15 - That his father, Terach, would repent and become righteous. 17. 15:15 - Avraham lived to see his son Yishmael repent and become righteous, and he died before his grandson one who affects only his own world, and the other whose effect is contagious. The Esav became wicked. 18. 15:16 - They needed to wait until the Amorites had sinned sufficiently to deserve expulsion. 19. 16:1 - Pharaoh. 20. 17:3 - Because he was as yet uncircum- (12:1). Wheeling his lone Lancaster above the target at eighteen hundred feet, Freddy cised.