E-TORAH
NOVEMBER 14th – 16 CHESHVAN
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This week's Torah portion, Vayeira, relates that Abraham established an inn for guests, and there he "called upon the name of 'kail olam,' the eternal G‑d." Our Sages interpret this phrase to imply that Abraham was not satisfied merely to call to G‑d himself, but that he taught others too to proclaim G‑dliness.
What did he do? He established his tent at a crossroads in the desert and generously provided food and drink to wayfarers. After they completed their meal, he asked them to: "Bless the One who provided you with food and drink."
When the guests began to bless Abraham, he told them: "Was it I who provided you with food? Bless He who spoke and brought the world into being." By providing people with their physical needs, he made them conscious of the spiritual reality.
The Hebrew term kail olam has also attracted the attention of the commentaries. Translated here as "the eternal G‑d," it can also mean "G‑d of the world," or more literally "G‑d, world." "G‑d of the world" would imply that G‑d and the world are two distinct entities, the former paying homage to the latter, while the more literal meaning is deeper, namely that G‑d and the world are indistinguishable; everything is an expression of G‑dliness. This is the intent of the phrase "G‑d is one" that we recite in the Shema prayer: not only is there only one G‑d, but everything in the world is at one with Him.
This is not only an abstract concept. It affects a person's fundamental approach to his life. When he sees G‑d as "G‑d of the world," he understands that he has obligations to Him. After all, if G‑d is the Ruler of the world, a person has to pay his dues.
But that - he thinks - is all he is obligated to do. In the rest of his affairs, his life is his own. It's like paying taxes. You have to give the government a percentage of your income, but afterwards, you can spend the remainder of your money however you like. Similarly, in a spiritual sense, such a person recognizes that he owes something to G‑d, but his life is primarily his own; he can do with it whatever he wants.
When we appreciate the world as one with G‑d, by contrast, our entire relationship with Him changes. Religion is not merely going to the synagogue or carrying out a certain body of laws, but an all-encompassing experience, affecting every element of our lives.
Every situation in which we are found, every person whom we meet gives us an opportunity to advance in our knowledge of G‑d and our connection to Him.
This is the heritage that Abraham gave to his descendants - to spread the awareness that we are living in His world, that our lives are not intended merely to provide ourselves with a little bit of enjoyment and satisfaction, but are instead mediums to make His presence known to others.
From Keeping In Touch by Rabbi Eli Touger, adapted from the works of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, published by Sichos in English
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In 5665 (1905), when war broke out between Russia and Japan, all Russian males below the age of 50 were commanded to report to their local draft boards. Many Jews did whatever they could to escape the draft, for in those years it was impossible to serve in the anti-semitic Russian Army and live as a mitzva-observant Jew. Of course, a significant number were unable to avoid being drafted, despite their mighty efforts. One of these was Mendel Dovid Gurevich, a teacher in the city of Valitch and already the father of a large family.
Mendel Dovid was a chassid of the Rebbe Rashab (Rabbi Sholom Ber, the fifth Rebbe) of Lubavitch, so as soon as he received his draft notice, he hurried off to speak with the Rebbe. He told him of the disastrous event, the extreme difficulties it would cause his family, and how distressed they all were at the evil that had befallen them. The Rebbe blessed him and said, "G‑d Al-mighty will redeem you from their hands."
But Mendel Dovid's agitated heart felt no relief from the Rebbe's words. "Rebbe, a blessing is not enough for me; I need a promise!" he pleaded.
The Rebbe looked at him intensely, and then replied, "A promise I don't have for you but a blessing I do," and he repeated his original words. Mendel Dovid refused to be discouraged and again requested an explicit promise, but the Rebbe merely repeated the same words for a third time.
Mendel Dovid took his leave of the Rebbe and returned home. He strengthened himself and his faith in the Rebbe's blessing, and tried to be optimistic about the future. Nevertheless, he felt he had no choice but to make his own plans for when he would have to appear at the draft board.
The dreaded day arrived. Mendel Dovid reported to the draft center. Thousands of new soldiers converged there with him. They passed through a series of medical tests and other examinations, under the supervision of officers who would determine who would be shipped off to battle and who would be assigned non life-threatening duties at the home front.
All Mendel Dovid's attempts to gain an exemption were fruitless. Indeed, he was even found fit to be sent to a battle regiment. His only hope was the blessing of the Rebbe Rashab, even though it was impossible to imagine how it could possibly be fulfilled at this point. What would happen to his family? What would become of him? It seemed he needed a miracle.
At the conclusion of all the tests and classification procedures, all the draftees were assembled for their first military inspection. The officer in charge was a General Kazaroff. With a fiery speech, he attempted to enthuse his new troops about the great merit that had fortunately come to them: to be privileged to defend with their lives their dear, beloved mother country.
When he finished speaking, the draftees turned to go to their respective ways. The general indicated to them that they should remain where they were for just a few more moments. He strode into his headquarters, and then quickly emerged. They could see that he was holding a piece of paper. The general glanced at the note. "Who is Gurevich Mendel?" he called out.
Mendel Dovid began to tremble uncontrollably from fright. He took a moment to try to figure out what could possibly be the reason that the general was singling him out in front of thousands of soldiers, but couldn't think of anything. He doubted if it could be good. Hesitatingly, he stepped forward and presented himself. The general merely glanced in his direction and said, "You are discharged. You may go home." He turned on his heels and left, leaving a stunned but ecstatic Jew momentarily frozen in place.
After a few moments, Mendel Dovid was able to accept that it wasn't a wistful dream. It really was true! He was free! "I believed in the Rebbe's blessing," he said to himself as he joyfully set out for Valitch, "but I never imagined it could come true so quickly or in such an extraordinary fashion."
The following Shabbat Menachem Dovid sponsored a large kiddush at the Chabad shul. He told them the whole story: how the Rebbe had repeated his blessing three times in identical wording, and the wondrous manner in which he had obtained his speedy release. Everyone listened in rapt attention and sincerely shared in the joy of his deliverance.
Then, one of the chassidim rose, and offered to shed light on how the Rebbe's blessing had become enclosed in this particular natural-seeming guise. "This General Kazaroff," he began, "used to live in our city. The rented apartment he dwelled in was owned by a Jew. A few months ago his landlord passed away. The heirs made clear their intention to raise the rent. Kazaroff very much wanted to continue living there, but not to pay any additional money. He approached the heirs and proposed that if they agreed to not increase his rent, he would repay them in a different way. In the upcoming large draft, he would exercise his powers as a general to obtain the release of a Valitch Jewish soldier.
"His new landlords accepted this unusual offer, and Kazaroff continued to live in the apartment for the same sum. About a month ago, however, he moved out. Since war had erupted, he was forced to leave Valitch and relocate nearer to the front. In the meantime, he was appointed the general in charge of the draft, and it seems he didn't forget his promise. He must have perused the draft list for a Jewish-sounding name from Valitch, and the first one he came across was that of our friend, Menachem Dovid Gurevitch."
Translated and freely adapted by Yrachmiel Tilles from Sichat HaShavua for www.AscentOfSafed.com. Yrachmiel Tilles is a founder of Ascent in Tzfas and director of www.KabbalaOnline.org
Have A Wonderful Shabbos!!