At this time, when our brethren are at war and we are experiencing much uncertainty and upset over the upsurge of antisemitism in the US and around the world, the frequent thought flashing through our minds is, “What can we do?” As Jews, we turn to prayer, we contribute, we contact our relatives and friends who are under the threat of missiles raining down on them, we sigh and feel the pain of our brothers and sisters, and if possible, we can show our solidarity by marching in Washington on Tuesday November 14th.
October 7th, the 22nd day of Tishrei, which was Shabbos and Shemini Atzeres is a date seared in our minds as the dark day of the brutal Hamas massacre against us. Next year some 1400 Yahrtzaits will be observed and these additional names will be added to Yizkor by loved ones. Mind boggling.
Where do we draw our strength from? As the Sheloshim – 30-day morning period – has just passed, inspirational stories are emerging about the heroic efforts of civilians who fought off the terrorists and assisted the wounded.
There are a few stories which I heard which pertain to the protective nature of the observance of Shabbos that I want to share.
There were two kibbutzim in the south that were left untouched by the terrorists. They both had recently voted to be closed to traffic on Shabbos and the gates to the communities were sealed. Videos show the terrorists approaching the gates and then leaving.
There was a family who for the past six months had become Shomer Shabbos, and every Friday they traveled to a community that was observant, to spend the Shabbos there. The Shabbos of the attack, they decided to stay in their home since they were due to have a baby and they wished to stay close to their hospital.
During the attack, their home was miraculously left untouched, while the others were sadistically torched. A captured terrorist related, that based on the information that Gazans who had work permits in Israel and reported back on the layout and movements of each of the communities, the family at this address would be leaving for the weekend and would not be home, therefore there was no need to attack this home.
Another story I heard myself from the woman who was interviewed on TV. She said that when she heard the sounds of the bullets and the outcries, she gave her children knives to protect themselves. She then looked out through the peek hole of her door and saw three terrorists coming in the direction of her home. She said, “I looked up to heaven and I said to G-d, ‘My life is not done, I have so much more to accomplish. I hereby accept upon myself and family that I will observe the Shabbos from this day on for the rest of my life.’” After she finished her prayer and statement of commitment towards Shabbos, she looked out and saw the terrorists turn away from her home. They did not return, and they were saved!
In this week’s Parsha, the Torah relates that Avraham sent his servant Eliezer from Israel to his relatives who lived in Charan, to find a wife for his son Yitzchok.
When Eliezer was on the outskirts of the town, he prayed that G-d make his trip successful. He included in his prayer that the girl who comes to the well and offers him and his camels water to drink will be suitable for the type of Chesed home in which Yitzchok was raised.
Sure enough, Rivka came and offered Eliezer water to drink and provided water for his ten camels as well.
Rivka brought Eliezer to her home to meet her father Besuel. We find that Rivka’s brother Lavan spoke up before Besuel and said, “This match comes from G-d.” Later on, Besuel’s name is not mentioned. So, what happened to him? Our sages tell us that Besuel wished to poison Eliezer so that Rivka would not marry the holy Yitzchok. An angel intervened and switched the servings, so that Besuel was poisoned and died.
The Shem Mishmuel explains in his profound and insightful style as follows. Each person has within him a capacity of holiness. Besuel, had the capacity to bear our holy Matriarch Rivka. Once he accomplished this, he was left hollow of holiness, to the point that he attempted to poison Eliezer.
But what about Lavan who we see later on was known to be wicked? How could he resolutely say, “This match comes from G-d?” Says the Shem Mishmuel, at that time Lavan still had embers of holiness within him, since in the future he was going to father the holy Matriarchs, Rachel and Leah. This spark of holiness inspired him to agree to the match. Once he fathered Rachel and Leah, the holiness left him and he became just like his wicked father Besuel.
Our Sages tell us that our holy patriarch, Yaacov, who fathered the 12 tribes from which we all emerge, never died – since the Torah does not use the term Meis – died – when reporting his passing.
What this means is that Yaacov’s personal holiness and that which he received from his father Yitzchok and grandfather Avraham – was never diminished by Yaacov’s passing. Thus, every descendant of his, forever, has an ingredient of vitality and energy of Yaacov’s holiness and righteousness within him.
We are currently living through exceptional times, when the holy spark within each of us is ignited and inspires us to turn to Hashem and say, “I’m ready to make an upgrade to my current spiritual status!”
