* Translated by Janine Muller Sherr
Did you know that this week is referred to as “the week that is truly happy”?
According to the book “Hayom Yom” (an anthology compiled by the Lubavitcher Rebbe) everyone is called upon “to live with the times,” in other words, to live with the weekly Torah portion—not only to read it on Shabbat but to reflect upon its lessons for the entire week.
Two weeks ago, we read Parashat Bereishit, which begins on a joyous note with the creation of the world but ends in abysmal failure with the first human beings violating God’s command by eating from the Tree of Knowledge, the expulsion from the Garden of Eden, and the murder of Hevel by his brother Kayin.
Yesterday we read Parashat Noach which begins with great sorrow in its depiction of humanity’s degradation—which leads to the Great Flood— but ends with the birth of our patriarch Avraham.
This morning marks the beginning of “the happiest week” because the entire week we are walking alongside Avraham and Sarah, whom we refer to as our patriarch and matriarch until this day. Their behavior and outstanding character traits transform them into Avraham Avinu and Sarah Immeinu (our father Avraham and our mother Sarah).
This week we read about their faith and kindness, their remarkable tent that was always filled with guests, their faith in God which they were determined to spread throughout the world, and their courage to make an impact on civilization despite being a minority.
All of these traits they have passed down to us; we continue their legacy.
May we merit to feel this week’s special joy.
