From the desk of my father Rabbi Shlomo Rizel

 

View online ב"ה From the desk of Rabbi Shlomo Rizel   Candle Lighting Times for Hebron:  Friday, Oct. 31   4:18 pm Message from the Rabbi Dear Friends, Have you ever felt like you were the only one standing up for what’s right, even when everyone else seemed to look the other way? That’s exactly how Abraham, the first Jew, lived his life. The Torah calls him Avram Ha’ivri (literally “Abraham from the other side.”) Everyone else was on one side of the moral divide, and he was on the other, standing alone for truth, kindness, and belief in one G-d. It couldn’t have been easy. He was mocked, threatened, even targeted for death. But he didn’t back down. He believed one person could change the world; and he was right. Four thousand years later, his courage still defines us. The Jewish people have always stood on “the other side,” sometimes painfully alone, but always with purpose. These days, it can feel like we’re back in Abraham’s shoes: misunderstood, judged, and isolated. But that’s exactly when his message matters most. We don’t shrink, we shine. We stay proud, we stay kind, and we stay connected to each other. That will bring about the ultimate change in the way we are viewed by the world, with the coming of Moshiach. May it be speedily in our times! Shabbat shalom, Rabbi Rizel Parshah in a Nutshell Parshat Lech-Lecha The name of the Parshah, "Lech Lecha," means "Go Forth" and it is found in Genesis 12:1. G‑d speaks to Abram, commanding him, “ Go from your land, from your birthplace and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you.” There, G‑d says, he will be made into a great nation. Abram and his wife, Sarai, accompanied by his nephew Lot, journey to the land of Canaan, where Abram builds an altar and continues to spread the message of a one G‑d. A famine forces the first Jew to depart for Egypt, where beautiful Sarai is taken to Pharaoh’s palace; Abram escapes death because they present themselves as brother and sister. A plague prevents the Egyptian king from touching her, and convinces him to return her to Abram and to compensate the brother-revealed-as-husband with gold, silver and cattle. Back in the land of Canaan, Lot separates from Abram and settles in the evil city of Sodom, where he falls captive when the mighty armies of Chedorlaomer and his three allies conquer the five cities of the Sodom Valley. Abram sets out with a small band to rescue his nephew, defeats the four kings, and is blessed by Malki-Zedek the king of Salem ( Jerusalem). G‑d seals the Covenant Between the Parts with Abram, in which the exile and persecution (galut) of the people of Israel is foretold, and the Holy Land is bequeathed to them as their eternal heritage. Still childless ten years after their arrival in the Land, Sarai tells Abram to marry her maidservant Hagar. Hagar conceives, becomes insolent toward her mistress, and then flees when Sarai treats her harshly; an angel convinces her to return, and tells her that her son will father a populous nation. Ishmael is born in Abram’s eighty-sixth year. Thirteen years later, G‑d changes Abram’s name to Abraham (“father of multitudes”), and Sarai’s to Sarah (“princess”), and promises that a son will be born to them; from this child, whom they should call Isaac (“will laugh”), will stem the great nation with which G‑d will establish His special bond. Abraham is commanded to circumcise himself and his descendants as a “sign of the covenant between Me and you.” Abraham immediately complies, circumcising himself and all the males of his household. Learn: Lech Lecha in Depth Browse: Lech Lecha Parshah Columnists Prep: Devar Torah Q&A for Lech Lecha Read: Haftarah in a Nutshell Play: Lech Lecha Parshah Quiz   Rabbi Shlomo Rizel During these difficult times you are not alone. If you need to speak with someone or need assistance, please click here to email one of our staff Remember Hashem loves you!   Tank Chabad Click to Donate to support providing tefillin to the IDF. Click Here to Donate   This Week @ www.chabad.org     By the Numbers 9 Surprising and Significant Things Jews Do With Onions Discover what Jews do with this kitchen staple. More...     Your Questions Rabbi: What If Just Bought the Jewels Stolen from the Louvre? Buying stolen goods is described by the Sages as a “grave sin,” since doing so supports and encourages theft. But what if I was unaware? More...     Parshah Who Was Melchizedek King of Salem? Melchizedek, identified as Shem, blessed Abraham but lost the priesthood to his descendants for prioritizing Abraham’s blessing over G‑d's. More...     Video Why Did G-d Punish the Egyptians? When G-d made His covenant with Abraham, He decreed: “Your children will be enslaved and oppressed for 400 years. But the nation that enslaves them, I will punish.” More... Today's Quote Wherever you go, I will go; and where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your G-d, my G-d. Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried — Ruth to Naomi (Ruth 1:16-17) Chabad World News     Obituary Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Kalmenson, 70, New England’s Softest-Spoken Sage More…     Ukraine War Kherson Synagogue On Ukraine Frontlines Suffers Direct Hit More…     News Brief After a Century of Guiding Jewish Life, Iconic Luach Colel Chabad Turns 100 More…     Israel Hostages and Families Celebrate Freedom with Expressions of Faith More… Chabad Guide Services →   Adult Education →   Hebrew School →   Women's Circle →   Mikvah →   Kids Programs → Kiryat Arba 26/9, Hebron 972-2-996-2770 This email is sent from Chabad of Kiryat Arba. 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