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Parnes HaYom
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It is well established that the merit of תורה learning and davening can heal the sick, turn a bad decree into a good one and cause an עליה (spiritual uplifting) for the נשמה of the departed. We are therefore pleased to announce... |
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Website Launch
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We are glad to announce the launch of the official Bnos Malka website. We will be using bnosmalka.org to bring you up to date information about our school. We are planning lots of additions and features to assist in your child's education. |
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Parshas Vayeira
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Avraham Avinu is known for his unparalleled commitment to HaShem. It is therefore no surprise that when HaShem tells him "lech lecha", he goes without question. It is also not shocking that when HaShem commands him to banish Hagar and Yishmael from the house, he does so immediately. The end of this week's parsha is no different. Avraham is commanded to bring the son he's been waiting for his entire life as a karbon. The pasuk tells us "vayashchem Avraham baboker", he wakes up earlier than usual to fulfill the word of HaShem. The Midrash tells us that along the way, the satan tried time and again to stop Avraham from success. He appeared to him and Yitzchak as an old man, then a young man who tried to dissuade first Avraham then Yitzchak from performing this selfless act. Frustrated by his inability to stop them, the satan creates a river that blocks their path. Jumping into the turbulent waters, Avraham proceeds until the water reaches his throat, at which point he calls out, "hatzilaini na ki ba-oo mayim ad nefesh", "Save me because the water has reached my very life" .
Rav Shimon Schwab gives flavor to this beautiful story by explaining that the water brought by the,satan represents the midah(character trait) of chesed. Avraham Avinu was able to suppress his feelings of love for his son up till a certain point. The satan, knowing this tipping point, caused Avraham to be enveloped with feelings of love for Yizchak until he was unable to squelch his paternal feelings. Knowing that he was about to abandon his plan of sacrificing his son, Avraham cries out for heavenly intervention. HaShem comes and disperses the water.
Now we can better understand why we read this parsha on Rosh HaShana(the yom hadin) as well as why we have the custom of saying tashlich at a river. During the year, we perform many aveiros (represented by the pieces of bread) and we stand before HaShem and pray that He overwhelms these sins with his midah of rachamim (represented by the water).
I would like to propose a slightly different explanation. Perhaps we can say that fire represents passion and water represents apathy. Very often we start a project with tremendous enthusiasm and great vision. After a while, small annoyances come up and later, larger ones. After a few weeks we throw up our hands and say it’s just not worth the effort. Avraham, had a journey of three days to reach Har Hamoriah. Surely he started off with great passion and desire to fulfill the word of HaShem. Along the way the waters of doubt may have entered his mind. "Maybe HaShem didn’t really mean to kill him. Wouldn't it be a chilul HaShem if I killed my son?" All of these were questions that might have gone through Avraham's mind. For this reason he prayed to HaShem that his passion be restored. HaShem answers Avraham's tefillah, and on the third day of the journey, he is able to see the shechinah surrounding the mountain.
This should serve as a lesson to all of us. Many times we have great ideas but after some setbacks we sometimes lose sight of the goals. When we have these feelings we should redouble our efforts and also remember to turn to HaShem and daven for His help in reaching our goals. |
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Thanksgiving Recess
Thursday, November 27
Friday, November 28
NO SESSIONS
Rosh Chodesh Kislev
Friday, November 28
Parent Teacher
Conferences
Tuesday, December 2
Wednesday, December 3
Hanukkah
December 21-29
Regular Sessions
NO BUS SERVICE
Wednesday, Dec. 24
Thursday, Dec. 25
Rosh Chodesh Teves
Shabbos, December 27
Sunday, December 28
BMA Hanukkah Recess
Friday, December 26
Monday, December 29
NO SESSIONS |
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