Maghen Abraham - Thoughts From Mayer Sasson

"And Yakov went…and angels of G-d met him and were impressed by him." (32,2)

 Why such a reception?

 As Yakov entered the Land of Israel he was encountered by two camps of angels. One group was coming to take leave of him – these were the angels from outside of Israel who had accompanied him until now. The second camp that came to...Read more...

"And Avraham had become old and advanced in days…." (24,1)

The one who answers Amen

The holy student of Kaballa Rabbi Shimshon of Astropoli zt'l hy'd wrote in his book Dan Yadin that there is a shell of impurity called the Shell of the Fly and that is the shell of Amalek (Shell = a power of impurity).  However, in the merit of Avraham Avinu G-d will nullify the Shell of the Fly and this is alluded to in the...Read more...

"And G-d said to Avraham isolate yourself from your country and from your birthplace…and I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you and I will make your name great…"  (12, 1-2)

Special qualities - On the words in our Parsha Rashi explains that traveling on the road causes a reduction in three things – having children, money and a reputation- therefore...Read more...

“… you are cursed…and dust shall you eat all the days of your life.” (3, 14)

Lifting your eyes to Heaven

Our Sages say that by his being cursed to eat only dust, the serpent’s food is always available to him.” If he goes up to the roof – his food remains with him”. And our Sages say “If one sees a snake in a dream –(this is a...Read more...

"Go please and argue, G-d will say, if your sins will be scarlet they shall turn white like snow. If they will be red… they will be like wool. (Yeshaya 1, 18)

Turn white like snow

On this verse in Yeshaya the holy Mekubal Rabbi M.A. of Pano ob'm said: This verse is surprising. When a person has a claim against his friend, it is clear that he...Read more...

"When you go out to war against your enemies and G-d your G-d will give him into your hand…" (21, 10)

The verse that opens our Parsha "When you go out to war" is said in the singular in order to each us that we can defeat our enemies only through unity, as our Sages ob'm taught, "The generation of Achav – they all were idol worshippers but because there was no strife amongst...Read more...

"See I place before you… blessing and curse." (11,26)

Elul the month of repentance

The idea written by ancient Rabbis that the month of Elul is alluded to in the verse of Shir Hashirim "אני לדודי ודודי לי" (I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine) is well known. This is the acronym of the month of Elul אלול which is known to be the month of repentance,...Read more...

''I implored Hashem at that time…. My Lord, Hashem/Elokim, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your strong hand, for what power is there… that can perform according to Your deeds and to Your mighty acts?'' (3, 23-24)

One more prayer

We know that Moshe prayed 515 prayers corresponding to the numerical value of...Read more...

And all of your children/builders shall be taught of G-d…" (Yeshaya 54)

The Three Weeks

During these days "Between the straits" we mourn the destructions of the two Temples; but we also yearn and hope with all our hearts and souls that we merit very soon to the building of the third Temple in its total glory and majesty.  We pray with this...Read more...

SHMONEH ESRE QUIETLY

"How good are your tents… your habitations O' Israel." (24,5)

We find a wonderful idea in Or Latzadik of the Maharam Paparish: " A person should not raise his voice in the Shmone Esrei prayer because there are angels called "G-d's Ears" who are appointed to receive our quiet prayers.  And if that prayer is heard by...Read more...

"Now Korach presumed, the son of Yitzhar, the son of Kehat,, the son of Levi…" (16,1)

Descendants of the righteous

On this verse Rashi says: The verse does not mention "the son of Yakov (though Levi was the son of Yakov). This was because Yakov Avinu had asked for mercy for himself that his name not be mentioned in the controversy of Korach and his entire company – this was according to what Yakov said before his passing,...Read more...

And the people were like complainers…” (11, 1)

Were they really complainers?

Considering that Bnei Yisrael numbered about two and a half million souls and lived forty years in a manner that constantly required the highest levels of faith, trust and righteousness, we may not condemn them.

The generation of the...Read more...

"Let the Tribe of Levi come near…" (3,6)

 To flourish

 On this verse we learn in Vayikra Rabba, "This is what is written in the verse, "A righteous man will flourish like a date palm, like a cedar… he will grow tall." The question is to be asked – what is the connection between the verse in Tehilim and the words "Let the Tribe of...Read more...

The numerology of Shimon Ben Yochai "שמעון בן יוחאי" 553 equals .. "מחיה    מתים" Reviving the Dead

The holy Tzemach Tzedek of Lubavitch used to say: "The day of Lag Baomer is auspicious for remedies and salvations for the initials of the words "מלך רופא נאמן ורחמן" - a king who is a devoted and compassionate doctor...Read more...

Mi Sheberach

"... and love your neighbor's well-being as your own..." (19,18)

The Aruch Hashulchan wrote that when a person hears that they are announcing a "Mi Sheberach for someone else he should answer Amen and thereby he fulfills the mitzvah of "love your neighbor's well -being as your own."

Hagaaon...Read more...