CHOCHMAS NASHIM: AFTER 127 DAYS, TWO HOSTAGES RELEASED
By: Suri Davis
The month of Adar is the month of Purim. It is not only rejoicing for the two or three days of Purim, but for the entire month. We learn from the Torah that for Sukkoth, we are to be happy, but for the month of Adar, we rejoice for the month. This year we have two Adars, and the Rabbis tell us that as we celebrate the joy of Adar, that is how the joy will permeate the rest of the year.
What is so fundamental is that we believe that mourning can be turned into rejoicing, darkness into light, that kheref ayin/in the blink of an eye, G-d can do anything. This level of belief is not superficial, but core soul.
The sermons of Adar are replete with commentary on the connection between Sarah’s living 127 years and in the merit of her lifetime of dedication to G-d, her descendant, Esther, merited ruling over 127 provinces of Persia.
So too, the days of war are passing with increasing concern over the state of our brethren, the hostages. Those who read about the months of planning, and failed attempts. The attention to detail, so that when the IDF reached them, Hamas couldn’t harm or kill them, and in a blink of our despair, after exactly 127 days of captivity, two hostages were freed. There are no coincidences in the world. It is Adar, and so clearly it is the merit of Sarah and Esther who have permitted these men to be freed.
The Rabbis tell us that it is in the merit of women that we are redeemed. This is that intense month of Adar, whose joy stems from the deep belief and trust of Sarah and Esther, and their merits, that we women continue to tap into their energy by redoubling our efforts in bringing others to fold through Shabbos, challah, family purity, kashrut and davening, to reveal and strengthen our connection with HKBH.
This is the Psalm of 127:
שִׁ֥יר הַֽמַּעֲל֗וֹת לִשְׁלֹ֫מֹ֥ה אִם־יְהֹוָ֤ה ׀ לֹא־יִבְנֶ֬ה בַ֗יִת שָׁ֤וְא עָמְל֣וּ בוֹנָ֣יו בּ֑וֹ אִם־יְהֹוָ֥ה לֹא־יִשְׁמׇר־עִ֝֗יר שָׁ֤וְא ׀ שָׁקַ֬ד שׁוֹמֵֽר׃
A song of ascents. Of Solomon.
Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain on it;
unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchman keeps vigil in vain.
שָׁ֤וְא לָכֶ֨ם מַשְׁכִּ֪ימֵֽי ק֡וּם מְאַחֲרֵי־שֶׁ֗בֶת אֹ֭כְלֵי לֶ֣חֶם הָעֲצָבִ֑ים כֵּ֤ן יִתֵּ֖ן לִידִיד֣וֹ שֵׁנָֽא׃
In vain do you rise early
and stay up late,
you who toil for the bread you eat;
He provides as much for His loved ones while they sleep.-a
הִנֵּ֤ה נַחֲלַ֣ת יְהֹוָ֣ה בָּנִ֑ים שָׂ֝כָ֗ר פְּרִ֣י הַבָּֽטֶן׃
Sons are the provision of the LORD;
the fruit of the womb, His reward.
כְּחִצִּ֥ים בְּיַד־גִּבּ֑וֹר כֵּ֝֗ן בְּנֵ֣י הַנְּעוּרִֽים׃
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are sons born to a man in his youth.
אַשְׁרֵ֤י הַגֶּ֗בֶר אֲשֶׁ֤ר מִלֵּ֥א אֶת־אַשְׁפָּת֗וֹ מֵ֫הֶ֥ם לֹֽא־יֵבֹ֑שׁוּ כִּֽי־יְדַבְּר֖וּ אֶת־אוֹיְבִ֣ים בַּשָּֽׁעַר׃ {פ}
Happy is the man who fills his quiver with them;
they shall not be put to shame
when they contend with the enemy in the gate.
What is interesting about this weeks Torah portion, Terumah, is that it is very focused on the action of man, giving to the Tabernacle/Mishkan. The Torah tells us that once we build the Tabernacle, G-d will dwell in each one of us, says Rashi. But our efforts are not what builds the Tabernacle, for it is not a mere edifice. The Tabernacle has exact details of with what material it may be built, what vessels and utensils should be used etc., all within G-d’s parameters.
Rabbi Binyomin Kamenetzky ZTL, in his Chelkat Binyomin, mentions that the giving towards the Tabernacle was mentioned before the spiritual service of the Mishkan because it is the giving to G-d, the trust, faith and obedience to G-d which meant most in the building of the Tabernacle. And only when the Jews showed faith in G-d by donating their valuables to it, did G-d then rest his shechina/countenance in it and in us.
We are G-d’s bride. This month of Adar is one of joy and belief. The more we believe in G-d, the more He shows is omnipotence and kindness towards us.
Shehechayanu v’kiyamanu, thanks for the release of two hostages, and prayers and trust that more will come.
Have a good Shabbos.
-Suri
By: Suri Davis
The month of Adar is the month of Purim. It is not only rejoicing for the two or three days of Purim, but for the entire month. We learn from the Torah that for Sukkoth, we are to be happy, but for the month of Adar, we rejoice for the month. This year we have two Adars, and the Rabbis tell us that as we celebrate the joy of Adar, that is how the joy will permeate the rest of the year.
What is so fundamental is that we believe that mourning can be turned into rejoicing, darkness into light, that kheref ayin/in the blink of an eye, G-d can do anything. This level of belief is not superficial, but core soul.
The sermons of Adar are replete with commentary on the connection between Sarah’s living 127 years and in the merit of her lifetime of dedication to G-d, her descendant, Esther, merited ruling over 127 provinces of Persia.
So too, the days of war are passing with increasing concern over the state of our brethren, the hostages. Those who read about the months of planning, and failed attempts. The attention to detail, so that when the IDF reached them, Hamas couldn’t harm or kill them, and in a blink of our despair, after exactly 127 days of captivity, two hostages were freed. There are no coincidences in the world. It is Adar, and so clearly it is the merit of Sarah and Esther who have permitted these men to be freed.
The Rabbis tell us that it is in the merit of women that we are redeemed. This is that intense month of Adar, whose joy stems from the deep belief and trust of Sarah and Esther, and their merits, that we women continue to tap into their energy by redoubling our efforts in bringing others to fold through Shabbos, challah, family purity, kashrut and davening, to reveal and strengthen our connection with HKBH.
This is the Psalm of 127:
שִׁ֥יר הַֽמַּעֲל֗וֹת לִשְׁלֹ֫מֹ֥ה אִם־יְהֹוָ֤ה ׀ לֹא־יִבְנֶ֬ה בַ֗יִת שָׁ֤וְא עָמְל֣וּ בוֹנָ֣יו בּ֑וֹ אִם־יְהֹוָ֥ה לֹא־יִשְׁמׇר־עִ֝֗יר שָׁ֤וְא ׀ שָׁקַ֬ד שׁוֹמֵֽר׃
A song of ascents. Of Solomon.
Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain on it;
unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchman keeps vigil in vain.
שָׁ֤וְא לָכֶ֨ם מַשְׁכִּ֪ימֵֽי ק֡וּם מְאַחֲרֵי־שֶׁ֗בֶת אֹ֭כְלֵי לֶ֣חֶם הָעֲצָבִ֑ים כֵּ֤ן יִתֵּ֖ן לִידִיד֣וֹ שֵׁנָֽא׃
In vain do you rise early
and stay up late,
you who toil for the bread you eat;
He provides as much for His loved ones while they sleep.-a
הִנֵּ֤ה נַחֲלַ֣ת יְהֹוָ֣ה בָּנִ֑ים שָׂ֝כָ֗ר פְּרִ֣י הַבָּֽטֶן׃
Sons are the provision of the LORD;
the fruit of the womb, His reward.
כְּחִצִּ֥ים בְּיַד־גִּבּ֑וֹר כֵּ֝֗ן בְּנֵ֣י הַנְּעוּרִֽים׃
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are sons born to a man in his youth.
אַשְׁרֵ֤י הַגֶּ֗בֶר אֲשֶׁ֤ר מִלֵּ֥א אֶת־אַשְׁפָּת֗וֹ מֵ֫הֶ֥ם לֹֽא־יֵבֹ֑שׁוּ כִּֽי־יְדַבְּר֖וּ אֶת־אוֹיְבִ֣ים בַּשָּֽׁעַר׃ {פ}
Happy is the man who fills his quiver with them;
they shall not be put to shame
when they contend with the enemy in the gate.
What is interesting about this weeks Torah portion, Terumah, is that it is very focused on the action of man, giving to the Tabernacle/Mishkan. The Torah tells us that once we build the Tabernacle, G-d will dwell in each one of us, says Rashi. But our efforts are not what builds the Tabernacle, for it is not a mere edifice. The Tabernacle has exact details of with what material it may be built, what vessels and utensils should be used etc., all within G-d’s parameters.
Rabbi Binyomin Kamenetzky ZTL, in his Chelkat Binyomin, mentions that the giving towards the Tabernacle was mentioned before the spiritual service of the Mishkan because it is the giving to G-d, the trust, faith and obedience to G-d which meant most in the building of the Tabernacle. And only when the Jews showed faith in G-d by donating their valuables to it, did G-d then rest his shechina/countenance in it and in us.
We are G-d’s bride. This month of Adar is one of joy and belief. The more we believe in G-d, the more He shows is omnipotence and kindness towards us.
Shehechayanu v’kiyamanu, thanks for the release of two hostages, and prayers and trust that more will come.
Have a good Shabbos.
-Suri
By: Suri Davis
The month of Adar is the month of Purim. It is not only rejoicing for the two or three days of Purim, but for the entire month. We learn from the Torah that for Sukkoth, we are to be happy, but for the month of Adar, we rejoice for the month. This year we have two Adars, and the Rabbis tell us that as we celebrate the joy of Adar, that is how the joy will permeate the rest of the year.
What is so fundamental is that we believe that mourning can be turned into rejoicing, darkness into light, that kheref ayin/in the blink of an eye, G-d can do anything. This level of belief is not superficial, but core soul.
The sermons of Adar are replete with commentary on the connection between Sarah’s living 127 years and in the merit of her lifetime of dedication to G-d, her descendant, Esther, merited ruling over 127 provinces of Persia.
So too, the days of war are passing with increasing concern over the state of our brethren, the hostages. Those who read about the months of planning, and failed attempts. The attention to detail, so that when the IDF reached them, Hamas couldn’t harm or kill them, and in a blink of our despair, after exactly 127 days of captivity, two hostages were freed. There are no coincidences in the world. It is Adar, and so clearly it is the merit of Sarah and Esther who have permitted these men to be freed.
The Rabbis tell us that it is in the merit of women that we are redeemed. This is that intense month of Adar, whose joy stems from the deep belief and trust of Sarah and Esther, and their merits, that we women continue to tap into their energy by redoubling our efforts in bringing others to fold through Shabbos, challah, family purity, kashrut and davening, to reveal and strengthen our connection with HKBH.
This is the Psalm of 127:
שִׁ֥יר הַֽמַּעֲל֗וֹת לִשְׁלֹ֫מֹ֥ה אִם־יְהֹוָ֤ה ׀ לֹא־יִבְנֶ֬ה בַ֗יִת שָׁ֤וְא עָמְל֣וּ בוֹנָ֣יו בּ֑וֹ אִם־יְהֹוָ֥ה לֹא־יִשְׁמׇר־עִ֝֗יר שָׁ֤וְא ׀ שָׁקַ֬ד שׁוֹמֵֽר׃
A song of ascents. Of Solomon.
Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain on it;
unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchman keeps vigil in vain.
שָׁ֤וְא לָכֶ֨ם מַשְׁכִּ֪ימֵֽי ק֡וּם מְאַחֲרֵי־שֶׁ֗בֶת אֹ֭כְלֵי לֶ֣חֶם הָעֲצָבִ֑ים כֵּ֤ן יִתֵּ֖ן לִידִיד֣וֹ שֵׁנָֽא׃
In vain do you rise early
and stay up late,
you who toil for the bread you eat;
He provides as much for His loved ones while they sleep.-a
הִנֵּ֤ה נַחֲלַ֣ת יְהֹוָ֣ה בָּנִ֑ים שָׂ֝כָ֗ר פְּרִ֣י הַבָּֽטֶן׃
Sons are the provision of the LORD;
the fruit of the womb, His reward.
כְּחִצִּ֥ים בְּיַד־גִּבּ֑וֹר כֵּ֝֗ן בְּנֵ֣י הַנְּעוּרִֽים׃
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are sons born to a man in his youth.
אַשְׁרֵ֤י הַגֶּ֗בֶר אֲשֶׁ֤ר מִלֵּ֥א אֶת־אַשְׁפָּת֗וֹ מֵ֫הֶ֥ם לֹֽא־יֵבֹ֑שׁוּ כִּֽי־יְדַבְּר֖וּ אֶת־אוֹיְבִ֣ים בַּשָּֽׁעַר׃ {פ}
Happy is the man who fills his quiver with them;
they shall not be put to shame
when they contend with the enemy in the gate.
What is interesting about this weeks Torah portion, Terumah, is that it is very focused on the action of man, giving to the Tabernacle/Mishkan. The Torah tells us that once we build the Tabernacle, G-d will dwell in each one of us, says Rashi. But our efforts are not what builds the Tabernacle, for it is not a mere edifice. The Tabernacle has exact details of with what material it may be built, what vessels and utensils should be used etc., all within G-d’s parameters.
Rabbi Binyomin Kamenetzky ZTL, in his Chelkat Binyomin, mentions that the giving towards the Tabernacle was mentioned before the spiritual service of the Mishkan because it is the giving to G-d, the trust, faith and obedience to G-d which meant most in the building of the Tabernacle. And only when the Jews showed faith in G-d by donating their valuables to it, did G-d then rest his shechina/countenance in it and in us.
We are G-d’s bride. This month of Adar is one of joy and belief. The more we believe in G-d, the more He shows is omnipotence and kindness towards us.
Shehechayanu v’kiyamanu, thanks for the release of two hostages, and prayers and trust that more will come.
Have a good Shabbos.
-Suri