VOLUME 113 NUMBER 2
Cheshvan 7, 5785
November 8, 2024
Parshas Lech Lecha
Candlelighting Time 4:31 

Perhaps one of the biggest questions of life is why are some people blessed with wealth while others struggle financially. Are those who have difficulty making ends meet necessarily evil people that don’t deserve an easier life? Or is there a more profound answer to this question? Truthfully, it is a challenge to figure out the equation because Hashem’s plan for the world is so complex and intricate that we cannot fathom the depth of His judgment. 

Rav Shlomo Kluger points out that the verse discussing the side by side arrangement between Lot and Avrohom is somewhat wordy. First the Torah states that Lot was enriched with an abundance of material possessions. Then it says that the land was incapable of sustaining both of them because of Lot’s many assets therefore they could not dwell together. He questions the repetitive composition of this verse. This narrative could have been written more concisely just stating that due to his extreme affluence they could not co-exist. Why was it necessary to have such a lengthy description of the situation?

His answer is staggering, that Lot should not have amassed such opulence on his own recognition. After all, he was an evil man that eventually displayed his corruption when he left Avrohom and proceeded to Sodom a community of indisputable malevolence and cruelty. So, then we are left with the unanswered question as to why Lot enjoyed a life of success and riches. The Torah reveals an unexpected secret of how the world internally functions. We know that Eretz Yisroel does not condone sinners and expels them due to its sanctity. That is explicitly stated in a verse written later in parshas Acharei-Mos and Kedoshim. The very land where Avrohom and Lot occupied despised Lot’s presence. Avrohom due to his excessive trait of kindness and compassion was unwilling to abandon Lot. However, his very being, which was one of tremendous immorality and depravity was abhorrent to the very land upon which he was based. Therefore, in order secure his release from the land and disperse him away from Avrohom, he was augmented with awesome wealth.   

From this commentary we get a close glimpse of how Hashem has systematized the world’s performance. We only see the external results of what is transpiring but Hashem puts into operation the inner workings of what is occurring and hence we witness the results. Who would have thought that Lot’s empire of wealth was his ultimate downfall? However, that was the plan instituted by Hashem and so it is with all that transpires in our world we must be able to rely upon the definitive and keen wisdom of Hashem and in His greatness as we slowly but surely approach that time when His majestic glory will be witnessed and endorsed by all mankind. The war in Israel and the present upheaval in the US concerning the eventual leader of this country are only pawns in the decisive actions that will determine the future of our nation and of the entire globe. Let us not look outward for our salvation but rather inside of the true underpinnings of the creation and its absolute culmination.    

A BYTE FOR SHABBOS

Our Patriarch Avrohom recognized that there is a creator and referred to Him as the owner of the mansion. However, the Torah does not dwell on that point rather it is that Avrohom believed in Hashem unconditionally and in that merit he was rewarded.                                             

CHOFETZ CHAIM

GOOD SHABBOS

ALTHOUGH YOU WILL RECEIVE THIS MESSAGE ON FRIDAY, I DELIBERATELY WROTE THIS EARLIER BEFORE THE ELECTION RESULTS. AT THIS TIME, THE RACE FOR THE PRESIDENCY IS NECK TO NECK AND THERE ARE THOSE WHO ARE WORRIED SICK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THIS COUNTRY AND THE WORLD IF, IN THEIR OPINTION, THE WRONG PERSON IS ELECTED. HOWEVER, WE DON’T ADDRESS LIFE IN THAT MANNER. HASHEM RUNS THIS WORLD AND EVEN THOUGH WE DON’T ALWAYS UNDERSTAND HIS PLAN LET IT BE CLEAR THAT THERE IS A PLAN AND ONE DAY WE WILL ALL  REALIZE ITS PROFUNDITY.