POSNACK SCHOOL

How did the sages and rabbis at that time know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Maccabee’s victory was divinely assisted? What allowed them to create an annual eight-day commemoration with Rabbinic mitzvot? A close look at the על הנסים”,” “For the miracles,” the special insert into our daily prayers during Chanukah, will shed some light on this question.

We have all seen movies or read novels where the hero or heroine saves the day by cracking the secret code or message. Today, protecting the free world from the tyranny of ruthless leaders and terrorists is perhaps more dependent on excellent intelligence than ever before. At other times a coded message may serve as a preemptive measure. It is a way to communicate, in a subtle yet very diplomatic way, that the perceived adversary has nothing to fear. Just such a case is presented at the beginning of this week’s Torah reading, פרשת וישלח, Parashat Yishlach.

This week’s Torah portion, Vayetzei, relates the famous prophetic dream by Jacob. In that dream Jacob sees a ladder extending from the ground to the heavens. Angels are ascending and descending. However, prior to his dream we are informed that Jacob took some stones and placed them under his head. When he awoke from his sleep, he said, “Indeed, the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it. How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” Then the Torah tells us that Jacob took the stone he had placed his head on, set it up as a monument, and anointed it with oil. (Bereisheit 28: 11-12, 16-18) What is the meaning of the dream? What does Jacob mean by calling the place “the gateway to the heavens”? What is the point of telling us “stones” under his head became “the stone” under his head? And what is the significance of Jacob anointing the stone with oil?

One of the most difficult questions we all must face is where our final resting place will be. Some people are fortunate; this burden is alleviated by their already having a designated burial place with a place in a family plot. From this week’s Torah reading, Chayei Sarah, it is apparent that Avraham did not pre-purchase a burial plot for Sarah. Rather, we find him in a very common situation. In the midst of his grief, Avraham must now buy a burial place for his wife. What important idea is the Torah highlighting for us by recording this event?

Who is the true heir of Avraham’s philosophy of life? There are many possibilities. First there is his nephew, Lot, who is with Avraham in Ur Kasdim, long before Avraham’s migration to Canaan. Then there is Eliezer, Avraham’s top student. He is placed in charge of Avraham’s entire household and is the person Avraham later sends on a mission to find a wife for Yitzchak. Ishmael, Avraham’s son with Hagar, and Yitzchak, Avraham’s son with Sarah, are of course in the running. Finally, Avraham has six other sons with a woman named Keturah. So which one is it?