Getting the Message

Realizing the greatness of his Uncle Avram, Lot followed him on his journey to Eretz Kna'an.  Lot's nobility of character and devotion to the ideals of Avram brought him the blessing of tremendous success and wealth.  Rashi points out (Breishis perek 13 posuk 5) that the affluence and prominence of Lot were due to his following Avram.  Unfortunately, often human beings neglect to credit the source of their success.  Indeed, Lot readily agreed to separate from Avram, and move to the fertile land of Sdom.  Lot did not maintain his bearings, and he lost his focus.  Lot forgot that it was his following Avram humbly that was the source of his blessings.  As Shlomo HaMelech said in Mishlei (chapter 28), "Wise in his own eyes is the wealthy man..."  Now that Lot was a tycoon he became proud and separated from the source of his blessings.

In Breishis perek 14 we read of the great war between the four kings and the five kings.  When the five kings fled the kings of Sdom and Amora they fell into pits of bitumen, and were in great danger.  Rashi (perek 14 posuk 10) cites the Medrash that these two kings almost perished in the bitumen, but were rescued in order to fortify the people's belief in G-d's Divine Providence.  Some people questioned the account of HaShem saving Avram from the furnace of Ur Kasdim, therefore, in this case, HaShem showed mankind that He intervenes in supernatural ways.  The two kings were saved, not because of their merit, but to lend credence to the miracle HaShem did for Avram.

To their detriment, the kings of Sdom and Amora did not correctly attribute the source of their salvation, but took the miracle as a sign that their lifestyle was righteous.  Instead of taking their "near death experience" as a warning from HaShem, they used their brush with death as an approbation of their wicked ways, and increased their cruelty to the poor and ruthlessness towards the needy.

Rashi (perek 16 posuk 1) points out that recognizing Avram's greatness, Pharaoh of Egypt sent his own daughter, Hagar, to join Avram's household as a maid.  When Hagar saw that she readily became pregnant, while Sarai remained barren, she became haughty and disdainful of Sarai.  When Hagar felt independent and no longer in need of Sarai she had to be expelled from the home of Avram and Sarai.  Only when she humbled herself and referred to Sarai as the "senora" (Breishis chapter 16 posuk 8) was she able to return to her position. 

How are we to avoid the pitfalls of the kings of Sdom and Amora?  Confidently we might declare, "They were wicked men, but we are G-d fearing people, so we will not go astray."  But what are we to say regarding people of great stature!  How are we to avoid the errors of Lot and Hagar? 

In addition to our own efforts to follow that which is right and proper, Dovid HaMelech gave us a key (Tehillim 145), "HaShem is close to all those who call out to Him, to all that call to Him in truth."  To attain HaShem's guidance it is not enough that we call out to Him, but we must be watchful that there is no deceit in our deeds, words, or thoughts.  We must be absolutely true to ourselves as we beseech HaShem for His counsel and guidance.

Good Shabbos/Shabbat Shalom, 

SCHOOL FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY

International Travel Exchange (Jay Press) will donate to the school $10/person for every ticketed reservation to Israel on US Airways, El Al Airlines, Continental Airlines, United Airlines or Delta Airlines. You must mention that you were referred to them by Torah Academy.  Valid for reservations made between September 15 2011 and June 15, 2012.

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Upcoming GHS Events!

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Yeshiva University Men's Basketball Team is Coming to Philadelphia!

Thursday, November 10, 2011 Scrimmage against Rosemont College:  Yeshiva University Basketball Team will scrimmage against Rosemont College at 8 p.m. at Rosemont College Alumnae Hall, 1400 Montgomery Avenue, Rosemont, PA  19010, follow signs once on campus.  FREE.

Friday, November 11, 2011 Open Practice at Kohelet Yeshiva High School:  The YU basketball team will conduct a practice that is open to visitors from 1p.m.-3 p.m. at Kohelet Yeshiva High School, 223 N. Highland Avenue, Merion Station, PA  19066, (corner of Highland Avenue and Old Lancaster Road).

Saturday, November 12, 2011, Community Luncheon at Congregation Beth Hamedrosh:  Coach Halpert will speak at a community luncheon after services (approximately 12:30 p.m.) on "YU Basketball and the Netziv of Volozhin" at Congregation Beth Hamedrosh, 200 Haverford Road, Wynnewood, PA 19096.  Luncheon is by prepaid reservations only, Cost $18 per adult, age 10 and up.  $6 children ages 3-10, under 3, free.  Reservations will be taken through Thursday, November 10, 2011 until 3 p.m.  Contact Congregation Beth Hamedrosh, 610-642-6444 or bethhamedrosh@verizon.net to make reservations.

Saturday, November 12, 2011, Basketball Clinic:  YU Basketball Team will conduct a free basketball clinic for boys 7th- 12th grades at Kohelet Yeshiva High School, 223 N. Highland Avenue, Merion Station, PA  19066, from 7:15 p.m. -9 p.m.

For more information: call Lisa Eckmann, 610-649-1888 or ejeckmann@yahoo.com

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Bnei Akiva Snif 4: 10- 5:25, 1 hour and 15 minutes before Mincha on the downstairs level.

For more information contact Vered Schwell or Adi Ciner at lmbneiakiva@gmail.com.