World Mizrachi Weekly Parsha Newsletter
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VayechiPublished: 7/Jan/09 |
Parshat Vayechi
Rav Rafi Ostroff, Director - Year Programs, World Bnei Akiva
The brachot that Yaakov Avinu blessed some of his sons have hidden and mysterious meanings. The following blessing to Yehuda is all but shouting out to us, here is a secret:
Perek 49:10"The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, as long as men come to Shiloh; and unto him shall the obedience of the peoples be. 11 Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine; he washes his garments in wine, and his vesture in the blood of grapes".
It is nearly impossible even to translate this sentence and to be true to the original Hebrew meaning.
The Ohr Hachayim on this pasuk says that we know that there are two kind of redemptions: a positive redemption, if we are full of Torah learning as hinted in the word "wine". If we will be full of Torah, then the redemption will appear in a way that all the nations will be subservient to Am Yisrael.
But, if we do not merit, then the redemption will appear in a way that is hinted by the word "ass" or in the words of the gemara: "a poor person riding an ass". In reality, Hashem will bring upon us "a king worse then Haman".
What king can be worse than Haman? Haman tried to kill our whole nation but did not succeed. A king worse than Haman, maybe will be someone that succeeds (even partially) as we have unfortunately seen in our time.
The Rebbe of Housiatin*, Rabbi Yaakov Friedman, writes that meriting to be worthy of a lekatchila (positive) redemption can be objective or relative. Meaning, Am Yisrael, can merit the redemption, but it's merits can be not objective, that they are all connected to Torah, but only in relation to the behavior of other nations. He said (in 1940), that if we compare Am Yisrael to the other nations at the time, it is obvious that we are worthy of redemption. He relates a tale, that the Jews of Vienna, were commanded by the wicked government (he tried to refrain from mentioning them by name) to hand over all their jewelry and gold. A woman was standing there and sobbing. A young bareheaded Jew looked at her and said: "what are you crying about? I am happy that I am a Jew and have the zechut to bring sacrifices as one". This, the Rebbe, explains is our relative Zechut today, that merits that we will be redeemed positively and quickly as possible.
We pray that we will be worthy of his payer and words.
* The Rebbe of Housiatin was a direct descendant of Rabbi Yisrael of Rizhin who was a direct descendant of Dov Ber of Mezeritch. He came to Eretz Yisrael before the Holocaust with his Father in Law, and became the Rebbe after his death. His main book is called "Oholaei Yaakov" and is full of Torah, which we would define today as Religious Zionism, stemming from Chasidut. He supported the State of Israel and even became a member of the Mizrachi party.
News & Events
Leil Tfila for our Chayalim – Thursday night
Thursday night, January 8, 2009/13 Tevet 5769. Heichal Shlomo – Beit Knesset Ran'ananim, 58 King George Street, Jerusalem, 7:00 PM. Leil Tefila and Chizuk for our Chayalim who are fighting in Gaza. Program includes recitation of Tehillim, inspiring shiur and chizuk.
SIGN UP NOW - Halacha Yomit program
Our latest program – World Mizrachi's Halacha Yomit program. Join us in this worldwide learning initiative. To sign up, visit www.mizrachi.org/kitzur
World Mizrachi Heritage Tour #8 – India
We have the last 2 places available! If you are interested please email daniel@worldmizrachi.org NOW!!
Mumbai – Rajastan – Agra – Delhi; 9-19 February 2009. To see the program, visit our website - www.mizrachi.org .
RZC Family Shabbaton – this weekend!!
The Religious Zionists of Chicago are holding their annual Shabbaton on the weekend of January 9-10 2009, where 850 people are expected to join the festivities under the auspices of the fantastic Chicago branch of Mizrachi, the RZC. The weekend promises to be filled with outstanding shiurim, ruach, friendship, and fun for the whole family. For more information, contact David Pelzner on 847-674-9733.
RZLA Yom HaAtzmaut Shabbaton
In honor of the 61st celebration of Yom HaAtzmaut, the RZLA are hosting a Shabbaton featuring outstanding Religious Zionist rabbinic leaders from Israel (Rabbis Aaron Adler, Motti Elon, Seth Farber, Benny Lau and Shlomo Riskin). The Shabbaton, to be held on April 24-25 2009, promises to be a wonderful event. For more information, contact Steve Berger on 310-274-6657.
Personals
Please advise us of all good news and sad news that you care to share with others, else we cannot post it – email mizrachi@worldmizrachi.org .
Baruch Dayan HaEmet– World Mizrachi sends sincere condolences to the families of those Chayalim killed this week while fighting Hamas terrorists in Gaza: Staff Sgt. Alex Mashavisky, Major Dagan Wertman, Captain Yehonatan Netanel, Staff Sgt. Nitay Stern, Crpl. Yousif Moaddi, SSgt. Dvir Emmanueloff, DF Warrant Officer Lutfi Nasereldeen.
Refuah Sheleimah– World Mizrachi wishes a Refuah Sheleimah to Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu Shlita, Mordechai Tzemach Ben Mazal Tov (Former Chief Rabbi of Israel.)
Israelat 60 Greeting Cards
World Mizrachi are proud to offer 6 blank greeting cards on the occasion of Israel at 60 to send to others to increase the awareness of this monumental occasion. To order sets email mizrachi@worldmizrachi.org
Sefer Torah Dedication
World Mizrachi is writing a Sefer Torah to honor its long-time World Chairman Mr. Kurt Rothschild, who has dedicated his life to Eretz Yisrael, Am Yisrael & Torat Yisrael. We invite you to join us in this endeavor. Full details available at: www.mizrachi.org
Book of the Month
From the Book of the Month club – proudly brought to you by World Mizrachi & Urim Publications:
For the Love of Israel and the Jewish People: Essays and Studies on Israel, Jews and Judaism: http://www.urimpublications.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=UP&Product_Code=LoveOfIsrael&Category_Code=aaa
Covenantal Imperatives: Essays by Walter S Wurzburger on Jewish Law, Thought and Community:
