Chazal teach us: Yerushalayim was destroyed because of groundless hatred (Yoma 9b). Fortunately, we are also informed of the antidote: Shalom. And though it sometimes seems as if peace only exists in some far-off dream, this week’s parsha – in which fantastic dreams are very much a common theme – we are shown that shalom is in fact a great dream to have. And all of this, ladies and gentlemen, reminded me of a song.
In Parshas Vayishlach, Yaakov Avinu shows us exactly how to deal with challenges: wrestle with it, refuse to let it go until it blesses you – until you emerge stronger, better and wiser than before. Remember, we’re called Bnei Yisroel for a reason.
Why do we bid such a fast farewell to these friendly malachim. After all, they just arrived, not to mention have just finished bestowing blessings onto our homes! I mean, if the malachim want to stay, would we really have a problem with that? Wouldn’t we prefer that they stick around, or at least stay as long as they’d like? Why, after just welcoming in, would we proceed to show them the proverbial door?
The essence of a Yid and his connection to his Creator is dependent on this midah of hakaras hatov. True hakaras hatov is recognition of the One and only Source of Goodness – which is Hashem. The more a person sees Hashem in his life, the more appreciation he will feel.
The Midrash Tanchuma (Chayei Sarah 4:1) writes that the hesped that Avraham Avinu said on that day was the very song that we sing every Friday night. Within the mystical phrases that comprise Eishes Chayil (Mishlei 31:10-31), Sarah Imeinu is eulogized by her husband and idealized by Chazal as the model Jewish woman.
In a world where change has become a constant phenomenon, and opinions become obsolete almost more quickly than they come into style, Magen Avos is a perfect example of the fact that Chazal’s wisdom is timeless and eternal, relevant in all times and places, giving the Jewish people a stability that every individual, and all the other nations so desperately crave.
Living in a world permeated by paganism, controlled by corruption and saturated by selfishness, Avraham gave us, his children, the innate ability to have courage in the face of widespread dissent, to be models of kindness in a society so self-absorbed, and to have unshakeable faith in Hashem – and ONLY in Hashem – no matter what. It begins with Lech Lecha. It begins with Avraham. That’s why we call him Avinu.
The time will come when the veil of nature will be removed, revealing once and for all Who is really behind it all. Bayom hahu yihyeh – and it will be on that day that the whole world will discover what we’ve known all along – Hashem Echad, u’Shmo Echad.
“Castles in the Air” was a smashing success, but the long-lasting achievement of that year’s event was definitely the creation of this musical masterpiece. ‘Even if we’ve heard the song ten thousand times before,’ it never fails to decorate our imaginations with the many miracles and marvels of Hashem and of the world that He created.
Parshas Ha’azinu teaches us that words without music are like a body without a soul. So yes, Moshe Rabbeinu takes leave. Days pass and years go by, but the song of Torah remains forever.