Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi

This week we begin the third of the Five Books of Moses, the Book of Leviticus, known in Hebrew as VaYikra. The portion begins by G-d calling to Moses, inviting him to enter the newly-completed Tabernacle, also known as the Tent of Meeting. The purpose of this meeting was so that the Almighty could explain the array of sacrifices that the Jewish people were commanded to bring for numerous different reasons. For instance there was one type of sacrifice brought for sins, another for peace offerings (to offer thanks), daily communal sacrifices, special sacrifices for Shabbat and Holidays, and many other reasons as well. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]

A lot is happening this Shabbos! We have a double portion (described below), a special additional reading, called Parshat HaChodesh, in honor of the upcoming month of Nissan, which is the month that includes Passover. We conclude the Book of Exodus, which is when we proclaim, “Chazak! Chazak! Vi’nit’Chazaik!” (Stronger! Stronger! And we become stronger!) In other words, may we continue to grow in our Torah study! [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]

The Cohanim (priestly class) were given a very strict commandment to wash their hands and feet using the laver before entering the Holy Temple to do their service. The implement that they used to wash was called the Kiyor, and it was made of copper. The commentaries mention the source of the copper used, which in and of itself is interesting, as only a couple of the sources for the materials used in construction are traced back to their origins. This indicates that there is something significant in the source of the material In the case of the Kiyor the source, we are told, was the mirrors used by the Jewish women to beautify themselves during the times of the Egyptian slavery. The men would return from a day of back-breaking labor in the fields. They were physically and emotionally exhausted. These selfsame people had seen their babies murdered. Marital intimacy was the last thing on their minds. In fact, they were reticent to have any more children at all, lest they too become victimized by the evil tyrants. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]

This week’s portion is titled, “Shemot,” which translates as, “Names.” It is the first portion in the second book of the Torah, the Book of Exodus. The name of a portion is always indicative of its content and the same thing goes as far as the name of one of the Books of the Torah. In this case we can therefore assume that the theme of the entire book is hinted at in its name, which incidentally is, “Names.” [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]

This week’s portion is titled Va’Yechi, which means And He Lived. The portion begins by discussing the final 17 years of the life of Jacob, third, and in many ways greatest, of the Patriarchs. It is ironic that the portion that talks about Jacob’s death is called, “And He Lived.” [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]

This week’s portion is titled VaYigash, which translates as “And He Approached.” Contextually this portion takes place after Benjamin is accused of having stolen the chalice of Joseph. Of course we know the truth – the chalice had been planted in Benjamin’s sack on Joseph’s orders. Joseph had purposely framed his brother (who did not yet realize that the Viceroy of Egypt was actually his older, full-brother) as a way of testing his older half-brothers. He had to ascertain if they had changed their ways and if they had repented for their betrayal of him some 20+ years previously. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]

As the sun sets tonight Chanukah merges into Shabbos. It is therefore incumbent upon us to seek a meaning in the juxtaposition of this auspicious holiday and this particular Shabbos. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]

The portion (Va’Yeshev) began by telling us that Yaakov was (finally) settling in to the Promised Land. By the end of the portion he is suffering in a way that only a parent who has lost a child can fully grasp. What lesson is there for us in this turn of events? [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]

This week we read of the brotherly reunion of Yaakov and Esav after their long separation. As a brief reminder Yaakov (Jacob) hurriedly left the house of his righteous parents Yitzchak (Isaac) and Rivka (Rebecca) due to the homicidal rage of his (evil) twin Esav who wanted to murder him. Why did Esav want to murder his twin brother? He was enraged that Yaakov, through stealthy means, acquired his father’s blessing instead of him. Ultimately, everyone agreed-including Esav himself-with Rivka’s assessment that the potent blessing would find an appropriate vessel within Yaakov rather than Esav. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]

The portion (Va-Yetzei) starts by telling us where Yaakov left, something we already knew. Why didn’t it just say, “And Yaakov went to Charan?” Rashi, the great classical commentator, explains a specific lesson from the seemingly extra phrase. When Yaakov, great Tzaddik (righteous man) that he was, departed Be’er Sheva it made an impact. Likewise, when he arrived in Charan it made an impact. That is what happens when a saintly person leaves a place and arrives somewhere else; it makes an impact. The influence of the holy is profound and enduring. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]

This week’s Torah portion is titled ‘Toldot’, which means generations. The portion begins, “And these are the generations of Yitzchak the son of Avraham, Avraham gave birth to Yitzchak.” Not only does this wording seem redundant, but it is repeating itself. If Yitzchak is the son of Avraham, obviously Avraham gave birth to Yitzchak. What is the Torah trying to tell us here in addition to Yitzchak’s lineage? [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]

Everything accomplished by the Patriarchs and Matriarchs is a signpost for us going forward. They demonstrated the correct path and help us along it by having been trailblazers. Sarah didn’t truly die because her progeny are still alive. Sarah had a glorious career during which she and her life partner brought the awareness of the One G-d to a scattered and morally bankrupted populace. She helped changed the world. This can be seen because she successfully reared Yitzchak. Yitzchak would do Avraham and Sarah proud – he carried on with their legacy, successfully passing it on to Yaakov, father of the 12 Tribes of Israel. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]

In this week’s portion the Torah continues the narrative of our righteous Patriarch, Avraham. When we study his devotion to G-d we are truly awestruck by his profound connection and his willingness to do ‘whatever it took’ to fulfill the desires of the Master of the Universe. Avraham became known to all subsequent generations because of the enormous tests that he successfully navigated. Put into modern American terms, “Avraham batted 1,000.” [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]