A Message from the Vaad

February 7, 2024 כ"ח שבט תשפ"ד

We would like to inform you that at around 11:00 p.m. last night, a fire broke out in the building which houses Jerusalem Pizza. The fire caused significant damage to Jerusalem Pizza and - to a lesser extent - China Lee. The cause of the fire is unknown and the police are investigating. Thankfully, the owner Shalom Cohen was not present at the time and no one was injured. However, both Jerusalem Pizza and China Lee will be closed for the time being. We are grateful to Shalom for the service he has provided to our community for many years, and we hope he will recover from this and come back stronger.

Many have responded with concern and asked what they could do for them at this time. When we posed this question to Yardena, she replied, "I just ask that people say a Perek of Tehillim for the Chayalim." We are humbled to be part of a community with such outstanding people, and we will update you accordingly with specific assistance that can be provided for the Cohens and their workers.

Hoping for Besuros Tovos,

Vaad Harabonim of Raritan Valley

A Very Successful Tu B'Shvat Seder

On Tu B’Shvat, Etz Ahaim had a Tu B’Shvat Seder with plenty of fruit, tea, and of course Torah.

Rabbi Tal Has Written a New Book: Minhat Eliyahu

I am grateful to HaShem that I have the merit to publish my first book of questions and answers called Minhat Eliyahu. The questions were from the beloved congregants that I had the pleasure to serve: Beit Mordechai in West Hartford Connecticut and Congregation Etz Ahaim in Highland Park, New Jersey.

Through these questions and their answers, you can see the unique situation we find ourselves living in the diaspora, and all the Halachic questions that come from it. This version of the book is published in Hebrew, but the English version will be published very soon. If you would like to order a copy, please email me at rabbieliyhutal@gmail.com.

הודו לה' כי טוב כי לעולם חסדו בשעה טובה ומוצלחת זיכני ה' להוציא את ספרי הראש שאלות ותשובות מנחת אליהו שאלות שנשאלתי בקהילות הקדושות בהם זיכני ה' לשרת בקודש בית מרדכי קונטיקט ובקהילת עץ החיים ניו ג'רזי, דרך קריאת התשובות אפשר להרגיש ולחוות את אחריותו של רב קהילה בגולה ולהבין שהשאלות בגולה שונות משאלות שנשאלות בארה''ק וכמובן התשובות בהתאם להזמנות ניתן ליצור איתי קשר במייל rabbieliyhutal@gmail.com שנזכה ביחד להגדיל תורה ולאדירה אמן

In Loving Memory of Elisha Loewenstern z"l →

Elisha Loewenstern z"l, 38 years-old from Harish, was killed in Gaza on December 13 by an anti-tank missile fired by Hamas.  He was on a mission to rescue wounded soldiers. Though exempt from reserve army service, Elisha felt that it was his duty to defend the State of Israel and volunteered for service.

Elisha was a high-level Torah scholar, successful software engineer and a devoted father and husband.  He is described by friends and family as a pure soul, who never raised his voice and always strove to become a better person.  As an ordained rabbi committed to helping others, Elisha was a pillar of the community in Harish, teaching extensively.

He made Aliyah with his family from Highland Park, New Jersey at the age of eight, and grew up in Beit Shemesh.

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Elisha leaves behind a wife, Hadas, and six children ages 10 months to 12-years.  He had been preparing his 12-year old son for his upcoming Bar Mitzvah.

To donate, click on the button below or go to https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/peer-to-peer/b19e505e-b2a2-4e10-beb6-3278a7795765.

Here are links to articles in Hebrew and English about Elisha’s death, as well as a television interview with his widow.

• https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/s1bjy11ui6

• https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-announces-death-of-soldier-raising-death-toll-in-gaza-ground-offensive-to-116/

• https://13tv.co.il/item/news/politics/security/vwa4g-903848486/

Support Our Solders

Dear Etz Ahaim Community,

It has been something special to watch the incredible way the Jewish people have united with one another to support all of our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisrael, our homeland, during this very hard time. While we may not be there physically, the amazing acts of chesed being done from here is outstanding, and clearly so appreciated by the soldiers and many families who have been displaced, lost loved ones, and suffered so much tragedy. We are writing to ask that we again come together to support a cause near and dear to our hearts.

Many of you can fondly remember our Chazan of many years, Raffi Ishran. He came for almost two decades to make our Tefilot (prayers) on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur beautiful. Sadly, a few years ago one of his sons and daughter in law were the victims of an awful terrorist attack in Israel. Thankfully they survived, however they tragically lost their first baby, and both have lasting injuries.

Now, this same son, as well as his other children have been called back to duty and are fighting for our nation. Their unit, like many others do not have enough detrimental equipment (like bullet proof vests, and helmets) and are turning to us for help. If you are looking for an important cause, and way to help, this would most certainly be one!

We are asking that you please donate whatever you can to the cause. There is no amount too small. Because the equipment has to be purchased directly from the equipment company the army uses, we are working with Raffi to do so once we have collected all funds. Being that this is an urgent request, we ask that all donations are sent in by November 21nd. You can donate by:

• Clicking the donate button below

• Going to https://etzahaim.org/news/support-our-solders and clicking on the donate button on the bottom of the page.

• Send a check made out to Etz Ahaim, with a memo for Vests and Helmets. The check can be dropped off in the Shul mailbox or mailed to 230 Denison Street, Highland Park.

For reference, each helmet costs $330.00 and each vest costs $870.00. Again, anything counts, and we are so grateful for your participation.

We are the strongest when we come together to make a difference. Am Yisrael Chai!

For any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to Ray Morris at president@etzahaim.or

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NOTE: We have purchased the vests and helmets for Raffi Ishran’s son’s unit. Thank you for your support.

Chayei Sarah

Ironically, Parashat Chayei Sarah does not deal with the life of Sarah Imeinu —  rather her death and her burial. Sarah Imeinu passed away at the age of 127, a relatively young age for those days. Based on the Sage’s tradition, Sarah’s passing was caused by a misunderstanding. She mistakenly believed that Yitzchak was slaughtered by her husband.

Avraham seeks to bury Sarah, and that’s why he needs a cave to bury her. Since he is new in the land, and people usually bury their relatives in their own, private, family’s cemetery, it is very clear that he would find it difficult to find a burial plot for his dear wife. The Torah dedicates a long portion to describe the purchasing of Mearat HaMachpeilah. A story that we can summarize with one or two Psukim turns out to be a big story with twenty Psukim about his tiring negotiations with Efron, the owner of the cave. The negotiation ends with an excessive price. He needs to pay 400 shekels for a land with low value. In other words, not a good deal.

Why is it so important for the Torah to go into detail with this story? The Ibn Ezra says the reason we go into details is to show that the promise of HaShem comes true. HaShem promised Avraham Avinu the land, and purchasing Mearat HaMachpeilah is the beginning.

The Midrash looks at it in quite the opposite way. The Midrash starts with the story in which Moshe was sent by HaShem to go to Pharaoh and to ask him to let the Jewish people go. Pharaoh sends Moshe and Aharon back without accepting to let them go. Not only that, but he makes the work more difficult for the Jewish people. From then on they needed to collect the straw in order to make bricks, and still continued to produce as they did previously. Moshe is very disappointed by this turn out, and complains to HaShem, “Why did you ask me to go and speak for the Jewish people. Not only did it not get better, but it got even worse. The Gemara says that HaShem’s answer was, “חבל על דעבדין ולא משתכחין.” In other words, “Pity for those great people that lived in the past, and are not found anymore. You, Moshe, got upset because of what Pharaoh did, but I remember Avraham, whom I promised him the entire land, but when his wife passed away, he didn’t even have a burial plot to bury her, and yet he did not get upset or complain.

This is unlike what Ibn Ezra says, as he says that the purchasing of Mearat HaMachpeilah is a clear sign of the promise from HaShem. It will start with cave but he will eventually get the entire land. The Midrash looks at it differently, and says that this is another challenge for Avraham Avinu, and he passed the test by not complaining.

It seems that these two opinions have different views on how to build Eretz Yisrael. Some think that once HaShem promised the land, we don’t need to put any effort, because HaShem promised he would give the land, even if we don’t do anything.

Against this thought, the Ibn Ezra says that even though HaShem promised, we need to try and put in the effort, and this exactly what Avraham Avinu did. He started by buying a cemetery for his wife, but he also realized that he has to continue to put in effort by bringing more children and to buy more land. As opposed to the Ibn Ezra, the Midrash says that there is no need for us to work, as HaShem will do everything from above.

Am Yisrael had this view for the last two thousand years in the Galut until we started to wake up. We can also say that the Midrash is not arguing with this view. We can say that Avraham Avinu initially thought that he would get the land from HaShem on a silver platter. But, once he had understood that HaShem doesn’t work that way he didn’t just sit back and didn’t ask questions or complain. He understood that even if he couldn’t complete the job of inheriting the land in his lifetime, he cannot just give up. He has to do something.

Next week, there will be  a rally in Washington DC, and it is very important to be there and to show support to the State of Israel. Maybe we won’t change the world by being there, but we need to do the best we can do and put in the effort, just as Avraham Avinu started the promise from HaShem by purchasing a small cave for the burial of his wife. If one cannot make, at least he can show support by putting a flag of Israel in front of his house, by praying, learning, or giving money to support the soldiers. Whatever you can do. Because every small action adds up to make a big change.

Rabbi Tal

Special Shabbat Mevarchim Kiddush

Etz Ahaim will be hosting a dpecial sit-down kiddush upstairs on November 11 after Shacharit in honor of Shabbat Mevarchim and Parshat Chayei Sarah.

The kiddush will feature a full meal consisting of fish, chicken, meat, and chulent. The purpose of this event is to promote unity, especially during these challenging times, and to provide an act of Chessed for those who are busy on Fridays due to shorter days.

We invite everyone to join us for Shabbat Shacharit services at 8:45am and encourage you to bring your friends and family.

If you would like to donate to help with this Kiddush, click on the button below.

Or go to this link: https://donate.stripe.com/4gw17q6COcvE02AcMO