Torah

While traveling from city to city selling his wares, a peddler approached the city of Tzipori and called out in a loud voice, “Who wants to buy the potion of life? Who wants life?” A crowd gathered around him. Rabbi Yanai heard the commotion and stood by watching. When he heard the man’s offer, he said to him, “I would like to purchase some.” The peddler responded, “It’s not for you and your type.” Rabbi Yanai persisted. Finally the peddler took out a T’hilim and opened it to the pasuk, “Who is the man who wants life? Guard your tongue from evil.”

One day, a young boy came home from school with a note for his mother. He gave it to her with a smile, and said, “My teacher gave me this paper and told me to give it only to you.”

When Yaakov Avinu was told that his brother Eisav was plotting to kill him, he ran from his father’s home and prepared for an extended stay in exile. Along the way, he davened and asked Hashem for a number of things, including: “I should return to my father’s house in peace.”

Hachnasas orchim, inviting guests into one’s home and around their table, is a beautiful mitzvah with a powerful message. Following his bris milah, Avraham Avinu experienced tremendous discomfort, yet our formative father stood focused on opening the doors of his tent to others in need of hospitality. One can discern that a tzadik is never satisfied from past accomplishments and always seeks new ways to make a lasting impact. This concept is true of the sages from every generation, giving us an impetus to act similarly.

Every night in Maariv, we say, “v’haseir satan milfaneinu u’mei’achareinu.” This can be understood as follows. When we desire to perform a mitzvah and are stopped, this is the direct action of the satan standing upright before us.

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.