ב"ה

Vayeira 5763 - October 25, 2002

If G-d Revealed Himself to You, How'd You Know It's Him?

You're sitting in your room and meditating when you hear a voice. Is it the real thing? Is it another of your roommate's pranks? Or just your imagination running wild? How to know?
Parshah
Vayera in a Nutshell
Abraham is visited by three angels and is promised a son. The city of Sodom is destroyed, and Lot’s wife turns into a pillar of salt. Sarah gives birth to Isaac at the age of 90, Hagar and Ishmael are banished, and G‑d orders Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac.
Nine, Eleven and Ten

Where have I heard the numbers 9/11 before? Then it comes to me. In Sefer Yetzirah, the oldest Kabbalistic text, a cryptic phrase states: Ten sefirot of nothingness; ten and not nine, ten and not eleven . . .
What Do I Do with all these People Knocking on my Door Asking for Money?

The mezuzah on our front door seems to act as a beacon that draws charity-seeking individuals to our door at all hours of the evening and night. Frankly, we are considering removing it!
Story
The Problem

One day a rich and learned Jew came to one of the great European centers of Torah learning to search for a fitting match for his wise, pious and beautiful daughter.
We the Feet

One way to treat what ails the soul is through the head -- talking through the problem. Many are now realizing, however, that starting at the other end of the body might be equally if not more effective
Jewish wealth is not houses and gold. The everlasting Jewish wealth is: Being Jews who keep Torah and Mitzvot, and bringing into the world children and grandchildren who keep Torah and Mitzvot.
— Hayom Yom, Nissan 9
Print Magazine

For hundreds of years, perhaps since the beginning of Creation, a piece of the world has been waiting for your soul to purify and repair it.

And your soul, from the time it was first emanated and conceived, waited above to descend to this world and carry out that mission.

And your footsteps were guided to reach th...