Divrei Torah Lech Lecha
Torah Table of Contents
Our Task in the pre-Messianic Era, Divrei Yisroel Davening "Head First", Divrei Yisroel Parshas Lech Lecha, From Reb Motti Rosen z"l
based on a ma'amar in Divrei Yisrael, Parshas Lech Lecha
"And you will be a blessing." [Breishis, 12:2]
Rashi comments on this verse that we complete (the first blessing of the Shmoneh Esre) with your (Avraham Avinu's) name.The Divrei Yisrael quotes Rebbe Yechezkel of Kuzmir with a unique explanation of this Rashi. The Rabbis said in Pirkei Avos (Chapters of the Fathers) that the world stands upon three things: Torah, Divine Service - Avoda and Gemilas Chassadim [doing kind deeds, granting favors]. These three items are related to what we say in the first blessing of Shmoneh Esre, "G-d of Abraham, G-d of Isaac and G-d of Jacob." Namely, the G-d of Abraham - who was the pillar of Gemilas Chassadim, the G-d of Isaac - who was the pillar of Divine Service - and the G-d of Jacob - who was the pillar of Torah.
Until the Baal Shem Tov, the mainstay of the world was Torah study. From the Baal Shem Tov's time, Divine Service became the mainstay of the world. Today, in the period of Ikvesa D'Mishicha (when the Messiah's footsteps can already be heard), the mainstay of world has become Gemilas Chassadim.
In actuality, a person must include all three of these things in his daily life. However, this was [only] possible in the days when people were physically able to accomplish these things properly, without having to put up with all of the trials and tribulations of Galus (exile). But today, since we have been so weakened by Galus, our powers and practice of Torah study and Divine Service has been greatly diminished. Thus, in our day and age, the world depends on our Gemilas Chassadim.
This is because when doing Chessed, it is done regardless of whether the recipient is deserving. Rather, it is done out of one's own goodness, which arouses a similar response from Above. This is what the pasuk - at the end of Parshas Bechukosai [Vayikra, 26:42] means, and I will remember the Covenant of Jacob - the pillar of Torah, and also the Covenant of Isaac - the pillar of Divine Service, and also the Covenant of Abraham - the pillar of Gemilas Chassadim - I will remember, and I will remember the land. Today, in the Ikvesa D'Mishicha, we don't have the capability to study Torah or perform Divine Service properly, but the Pillar of Abraham - Gemilas Chassadim - remains.
Based upon this, Rashi can be explained as follows: One would think that the Jewish Nation would be redeemed from Exile in the merit of the special strengths of all three of our forefathers. No! The Jewish Nation will be redeemed from Exile only through your (Avraham Avinu's) special strength - the practice of Gemilas Chassadim.
(Translators Note: Rav Yechezkel of Kuzmir was Niftar [passed away] in 1856, the
Divrei Yisrael - his grandson, who was niftar in 1920 - is quoting him, that Ikvesa
D'Mishicha was already about 150 years ago. I don't think we can even reach the ankles of the
pre-Holocaust leaders, much less those of 150 years ago. Maybe we should do something about our own
Gemilas Chassadim practices, because 150 years is a very long time and we should have been redeemed
- if we merited so.)
Translated by Reb Yehuda Nathan of Brooklyn, a Modzitzer Chasid
Based on the Divrei Yisroel, Parshas Lech Lecha
Vayomer Hashem.... Sa Na Einecha, Ur'ei Min Hamakom Asher Atah Sham... - And Hashem said to Avraham, Raise your eyes, and look from where you are..." [Bereshis 13:14]
The Divrei Yisroel reminds us one of the central teachings of the Ba'al Shem Tov - "a person is "found" wherever his thoughts are". When a Jew stands in prayer in shul, but his mind is wandering along the alleyways of the marketplace, his business, acquaintances, or similar distractions, then for all intents and purposes, that entire person is there as well, not in the shul praying.
That is what's hinted at in our pasuk - "look from where you are...", when you raise your eyes (in prayer to Hashem), make sure to look [at] where you are [standing], are you in the marketplace, or in shul? Make sure to keep your thoughts closely aligned with the shul/prayer environment.
This goes far to explain a well-known Gemorah in Brachos [pg 6] "Anyone who sets a place [rather than wanders around] for his prayers will be assisted by the G-d of Avraham". The Divrei Yisroel asks the obvious question - why only the G-d of Avraham? Why not Yitzchok or Yaakov?
But the idea mentioned above, helps us. Setting a place for one's davening readily implies making sure that I keep my thoughts on my prayers as well - that's one of the classic reasons given as to why I should set a place for my prayers. But, if my thoughts are wandering, then essentially I too am wandering after them... with no proper kavana [intention] in my prayers, no continuity and no depth to them.
Now we can understand why the Gemorah relates this "setting a place" only to Avraham Avinu. For it is by Avraham Avinu that the idea is first discussed - in our pasuk - "Raise your eyes, and look from where you are...". If our thoughts are in the right place, then we will "follow" them, and our prayers will be all the better for it.
May Hashem answer the prayers of all those in need of the Goodness of His Blessings.
Translated by Reb Eliezer Weger of Rechovot, a Modzitzer Chasid.
What does Hashem Elokecha ask from you,
but to fear Hashem Elokecha and to walk in His ways? (Dvarim, 10:13)
A Dvar Torah from Reb Motti Rosen z"l, grandson of Harav Shaul the Second Rebbe
"Imree Nah Achosi Aht" (Please say you are my sister) (Perek 12:13)
Chazal teach us "Maasay Avos Siman L'banim". The ways of the fathers are signs for the sons. During a time of great famine in Eretz Yisrael, Avraham and Sarah traveled to Egypt. As they reached the border Avraham Avinu sent an important message to all his future generations with those words. He taught that when one travels to Chutz LaAretz there are three things one must take with them to maintain their Kedusha.
"Imree Nah", say please. The word "Nah", please - is Lashon Bakasha - a request. This is a remez to Tefillah. The word "Nah" is spelled Nun, Alef. The gematria is 51. The Divrei Yisroel brings down that the early Chassidim davened each Tefillah for 1 ½ hours each day - 3 tefillot a day is 4 ½ hours of davening. Six days a week brings to a total of 27 hours, add 24 hours of Shabbos (the first hour of Shabbos is included in the 27 hours of Tefillah). 27 and 24 equal 51 - so the word "Nah" is also a remez to Shabbos.
On the word "Achosi", sister, the Baal Haturim explains that Achosi is associated with Chachmah and there is no Chachmah except for Torah. So we can infer that the word Achosi is a remez to Torah.
Avrohom Avinu was telling us that if we take Shabbos, Tefillah and Torah with us on our journey through Chuz LaAretz, we will be successful.
Submitted by Chumi Friedman, daughter of Reb Motti Rosen z"l
