Tomorrow is the New Moon

BH

This week’s Parsha, Toldos, discusses the birth of the twin sons of Yitzchak and Rivka (Isaac & Rebecca), Yaakov and Esav (Esau & Jacob). The two had a very interesting relationship from day one. Yaakov was born second, arriving with his fist clasped to Esav’s heel. Esav was hairy and manly, Yaakov, calmer and weak. Esav preferred to hunt, Yaakov to to study Torah.

As the Torah relates, Yitzchak in fact preferred the more wild Esav, while Rivka favored the more spiritual Yaakov. Further down the road in this Torah portion, we see Esav arrive from the field one day. After a day’s work in the field, hunting and the like, Esav was hungry. Yaakov had a fresh prepared stew.

Yaakov negotiates a pretty unique trade. A trade probably not seen often before or since this historic barter: Pipin’ hot, fresh and home-made Red Lentil soup for Esav;s birthright as Yitzchak’s firstborn son.

Another incident between the two, perhaps the duo’s most well known, sees Yaakov fool his father into giving him Esav’s blessing (which he technically deserved after ‘acquiring the birthright’ in exchange for hot soup). Yaakov even paid a visit to the costume shop to complete the scheme. Hairy arms and all. He succeeded. And whats more? His mother coordinated the con!

You think Yaakov wished to parade past his blind father in effort to fool him? Yaakov, one of the founders of our people, was not the type. He actually felt to a degree, that the blessing was not for him. The blessing was worldly, he was a man of the books. However, it was the wish of his mother that had him standing there in his get’up. She foresaw the importance it would make to the entire world, then and well into the future.

This Sunday the world observes a commemoration. A Yahrtzeit. An anniversary. Rabbi Gavriel and Rivky Holtzberg, the Chabad couple that was stationed in Mumbai, India were taken from the world on that day, in 2008. They, the four guests at their Chabad House and 167 other innocent people lost their lives at the hands of cowardly terrorists.

Question: Do you think Rabbi Gavriel and Rivky Holtzberg truly wished to settle in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Mumbai, India? Were they the type to take interest in the Southeast Asian cultures and activities. Not by a long shot.

Why were they there? Because their mother requested it. Well, to be more accurate, because their Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson (“The Rebbe”), requested it. The Rebbe wanted the Holtzbergs in Mumbai. He foresaw the importance of it.

The Holtzbergs manned their posts faithfully just as the 4000+ Chabad emissaries (“Shluchim”) (that are gathered this week in Brooklyn for the annual Convention of Chabad Rabbis - the “Kinus Hashluchim”) do around the globe. They don’t necessarily feel comfortable where they are or the circumstances they’re in. But they remain. Their Rebbe asked them to.

This coming Sunday is Rosh Chodesh (beginning of the new Jewish month). As the Jewish calendar revolves around the moon, I’d like to borrow a lesson from it.

Every 15 days the moon goes through a cycle. From full to hidden. Every month, the same pattern. The Jewish people have found themselves following this patter for most of their existence. We hit a low spot, with G-d seemingly hidden. Just wait, that full, bright moment awaits around the corner.

With the Mumbai attacks and the murder of so many innocent people, including the Chabad Emissaries, that could easily be considered a low. An “empty moon” moment. But the response taken in its aftermath is certainly the full blossom that was meant to follow.

Even more Chabad Houses, even more Torah classes. More Jewish identity. They tried to destroy. They failed. We defeated them again!

May we merit soon, the coming of Moshiach, which will be the ultimate full moon, as the haftarah of this week states (I-Samuel, 20:18) “Tomorrow is the new moon.”

May it indeed be tomorrow.

Open. Share. Detach.

The life and times of Sarah our Matriarch. Sarah, the wife of Abraham and, so-to-speak, the co-founder of Judaism, should be, at first glance, the protagonist of this weeks Torah Portion, Parshat Chayei Sarah.

The title of the Parshah includes her name and its literal translation means the “Life of Sarah.” One would be foolish to assume that anyone other than the Mother of our People populated this week’s highlight reel.

When reading the Parsha a classic question arises: Why is the Parshah entitled “The Life of Sarah?” First she died. Then she was buried. Then Abraham sends off his servant to find Rebeccah to be Isaac’s wife and step-in as Matriarch of the Jewish people. Then he marries Keturah, seemingly replacing Sarah. Then Abraham dies, ending their reign. Then Yishmael, who Sarah had removed from her house is discussed.

This seems to be anything but the “Life” of Sarah!

You see, In this Parshah, the Sarah’s message really shines forth. Sarah, in her role in molding the Jewish Nation, saw something Abraham did not: The necessity to close off to the outside world. The need to be insular at times.

Sarah knew that the family that she and Abraham had created would grow to be a major influence in the world, through Isaac, her only son. She prepared Isaac to lead the Jewish people and take them to the next level.

Abraham in his way, always had the door open to the outside. We’ve all heard of Abraham’s famous four-door tent. Sarah on the other hand, saw the importance of protecting Isaac from deleterious influence.

Sarah protected Isaac, whatever it took. When Yishmael proved to be a bad influence, Sarah had him - and even his mother - sent away. Later, even after Sarah died, Abraham sent his six additional sons from his wife, Keturah, away - with all of their off-springs! - as to not allow them to influence Isaac either.

And at the end of the Parsha, we even see that Yishmael, even after being sent away, comes to terms with the fact that it is indeed Isaac, and not him, that will continue the great nation Abraham was meant to be. Yishmael heeds Sarah’s message that Isaac, due to his detachment from detrimental forces, will lead the new Nation.

And when the two ends meet, Yishmael who Sarah sent away, bows in respect to his brother Isaac, whom Sarah protected at all costs, and allows him to peacefully lead the funeral procession for their father, the Life of Sarah truly shines.
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This coming Sunday, Cheshvan 23 (November 20) is the fifth Yahrtzeit (anniversary of passing) of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh Gansbourg, my maternal grandfather.

My grandfather lived his life in the manner of our Matriarch Sarah, always having his home open to the outside world, but keeping himself and his family protected from outside influence.

The proof of the type of man my grandfather was beams from the homes of his children and grandchildren. Beautiful Jewish homes that not only shine with Yiddishkeit, but that share that warmth and beauty with thousands of Jewish people each year, around the globe.

In this day and age, that's no simple feat! My Zaidy’s efforts have paid off. He has good reason to be looking down from on-high beaming with pride and Yiddishe nachas.

Dear Zaidy, we miss you and love you. Your were a truly special Jew!