5-Bullet Friday: Parshas Chayei Sarah

~ Torah Parallels ~
5-Bullet Friday

This week is Parshas Chayei Sarah! Check out this week's d'var torah here.

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Here is this week's 5-Bullet Friday, a quick summary of thoughts I’ve been pondering during the week:
  • Question I'm pondering (on the parsha): This Land is My Land. Avraham challenged Efron and the B’nei Cheis that he was willing to act as a foreigner and pay for the Cave of Machpeilah, but that if they were not willing to sell it then he would force them to since he had a right to Eretz Yisroel. How was this attitude any different from Lot’s in last week’s parsha when his shepherds would allow their flock to graze on others’ property since it would one day belong to Avraham anyway?
  • Another question I'm pondering (on the parsha): Just for looks? Rashi (24:10) writes that Avraham’s camels were different from many others’ because he was careful to muzzle them in order that they not graze from others’ fields. The gemara (Chullin 7a) says that Hashem doesn’t bring takalah to the animals of tzadikkim. If so, why did Avraham’s camels need to be muzzled?
  • Concept I am considering: Institution of Tefillah. Rashi comments on the passul (24:63) that Yitzchak was davening tefillas mincha. The Gemara (Berachos 26b) brings two opinions regarding the source for tefillos. According to Rebbe Yosi b'rebbe Chanina, our tefillos were instituted by the avos while Rebbe Yehoshua ben Levi holds that the tefillos are k'neged the daily karbonos tamid.
  • Hashkafic idea I'm reflecting on: Ask and tell. The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (46:46) rules that once one asks a Rav a question concerning the permissibility of an item and he has forbidden it, you are not allowed to ask another Rav for his opinion about the same matter, unless you inform him that the first Rav decided it was forbidden.
  • Middah on my mind: Gratitude. The passuk (24:26) writes that after Elazar’s encounter with finding Rivkah, he stopped to say “thank you” to Hashem. Often times we daven to Hashem in times of trouble - in addition to the regular tefillos, but how often do we express a specfic  “thank you” for when we are appreciative for what Hashem does for us - especially when we see our tefillos answered? 
What's on your mind? 

Have a wonderful Shabbos!

Parallely yours, 

Daniel

P.S:
  • Random fact I am thinking about: Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia and Sesquipedalophobia. What thoughts went through your mind as you read those words? Did you get a sense of anxiousness? If yes, then you might have them! These words refer to someone who is afraid of long words. Not sure if this is really a thing (it is not identified in DSM-5) or who comes up with these ridiculous words in the first place. The fact that the word that means “fear of long words” is one of the largest in the dictionary  makes it like an onomatopoeia for feelings. It does leave to wonder - what causes fears?    
Have comments or thoughts on this week's bullets? Have other random thoughts on your mind? Send an email to torahparallels@gmail.com. Thank you!

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