Rivka’s AYIN TOVA

24 Heshvan 5780

Observing Rivka at work using her ayin tova (source)

 

by Rabbi Ephraim Sprecher | first published here

Both Yaakov Avinu and Moshe Rabeinu found their spouses at a BE’ER (a well). Eliezer, Avraham’s servant, also met Rivka, Yitzchak’s future wife, at a well. At that event, the Torah first calls the well a BE’ER (Bereshis 24:11). However, in Bereshis 24:42 the Torah calls the well where Eliezer met Rivka AYIN. Why the switch?

The Rambam in Moreh Nevuchim informs us that the word AYIN has several different meanings. Sometimes, AYIN means a well, like in our verse about Eliezer and Rivka. In other places AYIN means an eye as in “Leah’s eyes were soft” (Bereshis 29:17).

The word AYIN also means caring and paying attention. As the Torah states, “G‑d’s Eyes are directed to it (Eretz Yisrael) constantly from the beginning of the year until the end of the year” (Devarim 11:12). The Rambam tells us that the word AYIN can also mean to focus, as the verse states, “Everyone’s eyes focused their hopes on You” (Tehillim 145:15).

The Talmud in Tanit 24 states that once a person has determined that a bride’s eyes are appealing, it is unnecessary to investigate anything else about her. What a strange Talmudic statement! The Kli Yakar states that this Talmudic passage cannot be understood literally. For one thing, it is not always true. People can have nice looking eyes and yet not be good looking. Furthermore, is the Talmud really telling us that physically good looking eyes are an indicator of a good moral character??

Therefore, the Kli Yakar explains this perplexing Talmudic passage according to the lesson taught to us by Eliezer. Eliezer needed to find a proper and righteous wife for Yitzchak, someone who possessed the noble character traits fitting to become the Mother of the Jewish People.

So he devised an Eye Test. He rested his camels at the AYIN (well). If the young, perspective bride for Yitzchak would display great CHESED and generosity, it would show that she possessed an AYIN TOVA (a good eye). This means a wise, loving, and generous spirit. Rivka displayed wisdom and incredible grace while selflessly giving of herself for Eliezer and his camels.

Once Eliezer saw that Rivka possessed such an AYIN TOVA at the AYIN (well), he had no need for further investigation into her gracious and wonderful character traits. Thus, the Mishna in Avot 2 states that AYIN TOVA is one of the best paths in life.

Eliezer found that Rivka passed his AYIN test with flying colors! Therefore, he gave Rivka gifts that represented her destiny, to become the Mother of the Nation of Israel, who would receive the Torah. As the verse in Mishlei 22 states, “One who possesses a good AYIN (eye) will be blessed.”

Eliezer, Avraham's servant, praises HQB"H for showing him Yitzhak's future wife (source)

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*Rivka = Rebecca/Rebekah in Hebrew! Also see here.

Prayer – The ORIGINAL Soul Food

14 Heshvan 5780

UPDATE: SOMETHING TO PRAY ABOUT: 

MISSLES ALL OVER THE WEST COAST OF ISRAEL | LIVE BLOGGING HERE
yes, we hit them where it hurts most! - how long did you expect us to keep taking murders, beatings, BDS and other attempts to WIPE OUT THE JEWISH PEOPLE in silence??? h/t NESHAMA

Jewish girls & women having their soul food! Source

 by Rabbi Ephraim Sprecher

first posted here

The Talmud (Berachot 26b) says, "Tefilot Avot Tiknum" – "Prayer was established by the Avot." The Talmud then uses the following verse (Bereshis 19:27) to prove how Avraham established Prayer: "Vayaskem Avraham baboker el hamakom asher amad sham et pnei Hashem" – "And Avraham got up early in the morning to the place where he had stood before G‑d."

The connection here is in the word "AMAD" – "Stood" and its association with the Amida Prayer. Strangely though, the Torah relates, just one chapter later (Bereshis 20:17), "Vayitpalel Avraham el Ha'Elokim" – "And Avraham prayed to G‑d." The word "VAYITPALEL" is directly related to "TEFILA" - "Prayer." When proving that Avraham established Prayer, why didn't the Talmud use this verse?

Furthermore, in the case of Avraham's Tefilah, G‑d answered his prayer and miraculously healed Avimelech, the King of the Plishtim, and his entire household. Why isn't this clear, explicit and successful Prayer our foundational model?

The Talmud's first proof text for Prayer offers us a profound lesson. Let's take a deeper look at our original proof text: "And Avraham got up early in the morning to the place where he had stood before G‑d." What's so special about this place? This place was of deep significance to Avraham. It was the place where he stood, argued and confronted G‑d before the destruction of S'dom and A'mora.

This is the place where Avraham stood alone, face to face with the Creator of the Universe, mustered all his courage to demand (Bereshis 18:23), "Hashofet kol haaretz lo yaaseh mishpat?" – "Shall the Judge of the entire earth not do justice?" And Avraham continues to challenge G‑d, "Chalilah Lecha l'hamit tzaddik im rasha?" "How dare You kill the righteous together with the wicked?"

By using this verse as a foundation for Jewish Prayer, the Talmud teaches us that the place of Jewish Prayer is NOT centered on miracles or good fortune. Rather, Prayer is the place where we confront G‑d for what seems to us to be unfair and unjust. Prayer is the place where we struggle and argue with G‑d Who loves righteousness and justice but allows suffering, pain, and death of innocent children. Prayer's place is where we, like Avraham, stand and see the distance between the world as it is and the world as it could be.

This is where our Prayer begins. In our daily AMIDAH in the paragraph beginning with Shema Kolenu, one should add his personal pleas and petitions. The Yaaros D’vash emphasizes that such personal prayers may be in any language or style, for our feelings and devotion are more important than the form of the prayer! This is where hope begins, and where redemption begins. We have a lot of work to do. Let's get started by having a daily conversation with G‑d and telling Him our troubles. He yearns to hear from us. It's the best therapy there is, and it's free! Prayer is the ORIGINAL Soul Food!

Through Prayer, we become G‑d's partners and messengers to demonstrate how to handle life's difficult tests. We show our family and friends how to have Emunah and Bitachon (Faith and Trust in G‑d), despite our pain and suffering.

How does Emunah (Faith) differ from Bitachon (Trust)? Emunah means to believe that whatever happens to us, good or even G‑d forbid, tragedies, ALL comes from G‑d. Bitachon (Trust) is a higher level than Emunah alone, for even in the tragic events in life, I TRUST G‑d that somehow these happenings are also part of G‑d's Plan for the Ultimate Good.

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