5-Bullet Friday: Parshas Vayeira

~ Torah Parallels ~
5-Bullet Friday

This week is Parshas Vayeira! 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): Two in one? Rashi tells us that one malach cannot perform two missions. Yet we know that the same malach that came to heal Avraham was the one who went to save Lot from Sodom (see Rashi 19:1). How could that malach perform multiple missions? 
  • Another question I'm pondering (on the parsha): The Ram. Rash comments (22:13) that the ram that appeared for Avraham to shecht in place of Yitzchak was prepared during he sheishes y’mei beraishis.  Why did the ram have to be created special from sheishes y’mei beraishis? What was so important that this ram be created at the beginning of time, live for centuries, and survive the mabbul all for this particular moment. Why couldn’t it have been any ram?
  • Concept I am considering: Ikkur and tafel. In the world of berachos, one has the “ability” to define ikkur and tafel. In many circumstances one would only make a beracha on the ikkur item even if the defined tafel item is something objectively more chashuv (even something as chashuv as bread), since it is being used to which is used to facilitate something else. This “ability” of course is defined by intent and although it is acceptable and within the Torah guidelines when it comes to eating, there is no doubt that in other areas we are expected to align with objective ikkur and tafel and make sure that we aren’t using ikkur to merely facilitate tafel. .  
  • Hashkafic idea I'm reflecting on: Challenge does not mean weakness. The mishna in Avos states that Hasham gave Avraham 10 tests (a bulk of them in this week’s parsha) and as we know, Avraham passed these tests with flying colors. The reality is that each of us is given many tests throughout our lives but perhaps the biggest challenge of all, especially in our times, is not even whether we pass the test but whether we are discouraged from being tested in the first place. Receiving a challenge is not a sign of weakness. In fact, even failing a test is not a form of weakness. Weakness implies an inability to meet a standard but that should never be confused with potential which means the unrealized ability to conquer. We must remember that our challenges and struggles are not drawn out of a lottery. Hashem is the One who Alone gives us specific challenges that are meant for us and for our growth. Experiencing a challenge means that Hashem still sees untapped potential in us and we could continue to grow in this world. Failing a challenge means an opportunity to learn from mistakes and rise to the occasion. Having a challenge therefore means two things: 1. We are not weak, we are assigned a challenge from Hashem Who tailored it for us 2. We have the potential to be strong (“Who is strong? One who conquers one’s yetzer)
  • Middah on my mind: Zehirus. The Mesillas Yesharim writes that the inyan of zehirus is to be thoughtful about the things one does and consider if they are appropriate or not. Being contemplative and doing things carefully and mindfully is the first step in taking responsibility for oneself and one’s actions and is a prerequisite before being able to correct one’s behavior - after all,  how could one change behavior if one isn’t even thinking when they are acting. In fact, this is the first middah the Mesillas Yesharim discusses in its steps to ascend towards kedusha. Yet. the age we live in prods us to move faster and faster and with only as much thought as is absolutely necessary. The need to “stop and smell the roses” has perhaps never been as important than in our times. Challenge: Analyze your day and pick something which you notice you have been doing increasingly faster and faster and slow it down a notch or two. Take an area and focus on thinking about its associated ations. Use that as a springboard to jumpstart zehirus in other areas as well.  
What's on your mind? 

Have a wonderful Shabbos!

Parallely yours, 

Daniel

P.S:
  • Random fact I am thinking about: Newborn baby pandas. Newborn baby pandas are born about the size of a stick of butter and weigh less than four ounces. Just because something starts off small doesn’t mean it can’t grow up to be something big. Don’t judge a book by its cover and don’t underestimate potential.   
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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