Torah

The Ben Ish Chai comments on this week’s parshah that the reason that Hashem changes Avram’s name to Avraham is because everything Hashem does is for the best. If you take the letters of the Avos – Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov – it totals 13 letters. If you take all four Imahos – Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel, and Leah – it also comes out to 13 letters. Thirteen plus 13 equal 26 – the numerical equivalent of Hashem’s name. Now we understand one of the reasons why Hashem added the letter hei: Otherwise we wouldn’t have been able to have this calculation.

What is the joy of Sukkos all about?

When B’nei Yisrael traveled in the desert, Hashem provided three special miracles to take care of their needs: Delicious manna rained down from heaven, fresh water flowed from Miriam’s well, and ananei ha’kavod (clouds of glory) enveloped the people (Taanis 9a).

Noach had three sons, each with different meanings behind their names. The name Shem infers that you should have a shem tov, a good name. Cham's name refers to the trait of being warm with others; Yefes is defined as being nice. It is important to note that the name "Noach" features the attribute of spreading one’s charm to all whom one encounters. The Orthodox Queens Jewish community is privileged to have within its rabbinic leadership HaRav Noach Isaac Oelbaum, whose magnetic charisma has captivated world Jewry of all backgrounds. Chazaq is fortunate to have the adam gadol on as its posek.

What is the secret to making lasting resolutions?

In the first line of Avinu Malkeinu that is recited responsively, we ask Hashem to help us do “t’shuvah sh’leimah,” complete repentance. The addition of that descriptor, sh’leimah, makes it sound like there is another type of t’shuvah – one that is “incomplete” – which we do not want. And here I was thinking that one can either repent or not. What would incomplete t’shuvah look like? And, by contrast, what is the t’shuvah sh’leimah that we all are trying to achieve?

The first human being at the time of Creation is named Adam. We see the word “adam” comes from the Hebrew word “adamah.” “Adamah” means dirt, the ground. The next time someone calls you a piece of dirt, tell him he’s right, because we all come from the ground. Why was the first person called “dirt”? What a derogatory name! We couldn’t find a better name?? Just as when we water the soil, care for it, and give it the right sunlight, it turns into fruits, flowers, and vegetables, so, too, with a person: If a person doesn’t take care of himself, he will be nothing. But if a person stays near good people and has the “right light,” he can grow into something great.

T’shuvah requires a supporting “cast”!

As Rosh HaShanah approaches, we are reminded that sincere t’shuvah requires serious introspection and conscientious planning for a better year. The shofar alerts us that that the time has come: We need to confess our wrongdoings, break habits, regret the past, and commit to a brighter future.