This D’var Torah should be a Zechus L’Ilui Nishmas my sister, Kayla Rus Bas Bunim Tuvia A”H, my maternal grandfather Dovid Tzvi Ben Yosef Yochanan A”H, my maternal grandfather Dovid Tzvi Ben Yosef Yochanan A”H, my paternal grandfather Moshe Ben Yosef A”H, my uncle Reuven Nachum Ben Moshe & my great aunt Rivkah Sorah Bas Zev Yehuda HaKohein.
It should also be in Zechus L’Refuah Shileimah for:
-My father Bunim Tuvia Ben Channa Freidel
-My grandmothers Channah Freidel Bas Sarah, and Shulamis Bas Etta
-MY BROTHER: MENACHEM MENDEL SHLOMO BEN CHAYA ROCHEL
-Mordechai Shlomo Ben Sarah Tili
-Noam Shmuel Ben Simcha
-Chaya Rochel Ettel Bas Shulamis
-And all of the Cholei Yisrael, especially those suffering from COVID-19 and the Meiron tragedy.
-It should also be a Z’chus for an Aliyah of the holy Neshamos of Dovid Avraham Ben Chiya Kehas—R’ Dovid Winiarz ZT”L, Miriam Liba Bas Aharon—Rebbetzin Weiss A”H, as well as the Neshamos of those whose lives were taken by terrorists (Hashem Yikom Damam), COVID-19, and the Meiron tragedy.
-It should also be a Z’chus for success for Tzaha”l as well as the rest of Am Yisrael, in Eretz Yisrael and in the Galus.
בס”ד
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Parsha Paradise/פרשה פרדס – Lech Lecha: To You? For You? By You???♂️
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P’shat: “For You”
Rashi understands the word “Lecha” to mean “for you,” i.e. for your benefit. In other words, Hashem is offering reward for Avraham’s efforts.
However, Ramban and Bechor Shor argue that, at least Al Pi P’shat, the word “Lecha” is not unusual, but rather is a typical form of speech.
(Additionally, Alshich suggests that “Lech Lecha” means “go by yourself,” i.e. without your father, community, etc.)
Remez: “100 Years”
In addition to his simple read, Bechor Shor uncharacteristically offers a Remez which is also cited by Ba’al HaTurim, that the numerical value of “Lech Lecha” is 100, alluding to the the next 100 years Avraham had ahead of him on his journey. (He was 75 at the time and would live to be 175.)
Alternatively, Ba’al HaTurim suggests that 100 alludes to Avraham’s age at the time when the promise that he would have son would be fulfilled, indeed, one of benefits he was promised at the onset of his journey.
Malbim, R’ Hirsch, and Noam Elimelech suggest (homiletically) that Hashem was urging Avraham “go to you,” or to journey inward towards himself, peeling away the layers of negative, environmental influence that cover his inner essence.
(Malbim and R’ Hirsch use this read to explain why Hashem commanded Avraham to leave in “reverse order”; first his country, then his birthplace, then his father’s house. Each one is an outer layer to be peeled away.)
Sod: “To Your Destiny”
(Preface: there is concept in Kabbalah known as “Nitzotzos,” or Divine sparks, which exist in the mundane world. One’s mission in life is to extract these holy sparks from the physical world and send them back to their roots in Shamayim.)
Similar to the above Drush, Kedushas Levi explains Al Pi Kabbalah, that Hashem commanded Avraham to go to his spiritual root and destiny, which is the place where he would personally be able to raise the “Nitzotzos” (Divine sparks) back to Shamayim.
We should be Zocheh to follow Hashem to our benefit, to the fulfillment of our dreams, to our essential selves, and to our spiritual destiny, especially the state of Geulah and the coming of Moshiach, Bimheirah BiYomeinu! Have a wonderful Shabbos!
-Yehoshua Shmuel Eisenberg