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| Art Maya Angelou |
by Rabbi David Hanania Pinto
When I was a young boy, I used to watch Father, zy”a, light many lamps in cups of oil in memory of the tzaddikim, may their memories be blessed. Father would light untold amounts of these lights, to the extent that he would often say that if he had eye problems, it was surely due to the smoke that emanated from them. Nevertheless, he would scrupulously light the wicks with unbridled joy and deep concentration.
One day, Mr. Amram Ben-Chamou, a”h, came to visit precisely when Father was lighting the candles. Mr. Ben-Chamou explained that he suffered from heart problems. The doctors had informed him that if he suffered another heart attack, no matter how light, he would die.
“Does the number twenty-six, which is the numerical equivalent of Hashem’s Name, י-ה-ו-ה, find favor in your eyes?” asked Father.
“Yes!” answered Mr. Ben-Chamou.
“In that case, Hashem will add another twenty-six years to your life, in the merit of the tzaddikim for whom I am now lighting candles,” was Father’s blessing.
Mr. Ben-Chamou was pleased with these words and left with a spring in his step.
Twenty-six years came and went. Mr. Ben-Chamou was struck with a heart attack. His wife, who stood devotedly at his side, called me up to ask that I come and bless him with a complete recovery. I asked to speak with the sick man. He said to me, “I want you to know, honored Rav, that I am on the brink of death.”
“Why do you talk like that?” I asked, surprised.
“Your father, zy”a, blessed me that I live another twenty-six years. This coming Monday completes twenty-six full years from the time of that blessing. I am sure that I will die then. Nothing can help.”
That very Monday, he returned his soul to his Maker. I was left with the lesson of the greatness of tzaddikim, who are able to decree what will be. Hashem fulfills their decrees, in the merit of their attachment to Torah throughout their lives. Moreover, this tale teaches the significance of lighting candles in the memory of the tzaddikim of old.
23 comments:
Beautiful! I love it! A shame that we don't really have that tradition in the Ashkenazi Litvish world. I will try to do that every so often from now on bli neder, whenever I remember. Is a regular candle OK, though?
The candle can be any candle, but I guess it's like every mitzvah... you can make it ordinary, or make it special. If it's to commemorate a yarzheit of a tzadik you would probably use the 24 hour candles.
Thanks, Devorah. Of course for the Yahrzeit. I am talking of just thinking of a Tzaddik and lighting for him. I just lit a simple little candle for one of my favorite Tzaddikim. He was a very modest and simple man, I don't think he would mind! Zechuto Yagen Aleinu.
George, I didn't publish the link because I have doubts. If in doubt, leave it out. I'll forward it to someone else to get their opinion first.
Here's a very recent example of this.
Fine I'm used to my opinions being supressed. Are we a library that we just store what rabbis said. What about new ideas? I mean if the rabbis agree that the torah is full of secrets that haven't been discovered yet why aren't we exploring new ideas. It's always Rashi said this etc etc. I have nobody to share my ideas with. I believe in the Torah and my own people shut me down all the time. At least send me a reply as to why I am wrong instead of the common answer - this is what our forefathers taught etc etc. Did Moshe like when he said we were in Egypt for 430 years. The common rabbinic answer is the count begins at Isaac which means Moses liked when he said 430 years the children of Israel not the children of isaac. Why are some rabbis allowed to have new ideas and others not. Who decides?
Well firstly George, I did send your link to a rabbi friend of mine whose opinion I respect and he confirmed what I first thought, that the site is not appropriate. Your facts are not true, and it is full of kefira [heresy]. I only send my readers to trusted Torah sites. That site is not, and never will be, one of them. The Torah secrets that haven't been discovered yet will be revealed by the Moshiach, may He come speedily in our days.
Thank you Devorah for your great response to george. There are people who think they are in some way or all ways on the same calibre as our holy Sages who had literally Ruach Hakodesh. One may have his/her own opinions but it is of no consequence and in no way can ever compare to the teachings, commentaries and truth of our holy Torah giants who were emissaries of H', to guide and teach us truth with their commentaries and insights of our holy Torah.
Thank you Anonymous @ 7:50... that's pretty much what I wanted to write, but my brain wasn't functioning properly. Hashem always sends me a commenter like you to say what I mean :)
Forget about the website. My question is simple. Did Moses lie when he wrote down 430 years. That's basically what the sages are saying. If they were in Egypt for 210 years then why not write down 210 years ? It's not like he was off by 2 or three years. 220 years is a huge mistake. Somebody is wrong. Moshe or Rashi. And I trust Moshe over rashi
I looked up your question on 4Torah.com and came up with several sites, but this seems the most simple answer: * The 430 years referenced in Exodus 12:30 started with the actual "Covenant Between the Parts." See http://www.askmoses.com/en/article/241,92801/How-many-years-did-the-Jews-spend-in-Egypt.html
Exodus 12.40 Now the time that the children of Israel dwelt in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years.
I understand the answer is that the count begins with Isaac but the Torah clearly says children of Israel so you can't even start the count with Jacob since it refers to his children. To start the count with Isaac is to completely ignore the words of the Torah. Isaac is the father of Jacob not his children. I would like to share something moshiach related since this is a moshiach blog. If I am right and our calendar is off by 220 years. That means we are actually in the year 5998 and in two years begins the shabbat. I noticed in the book of Zohar vayeara it speaks of moshiach and a war with Rome in the year 72-73. I presume 73-73 years refers to the state of Israel which brings us to the year 2020-2021 exactly when shabbat starts in the year 6000. Can you imagine???
What do you mean ''I would like to share something moshiach related since this is a moshiach blog''
Moshiach isn't here yet, so how can He have related something?
I mean the topic of moshiach related. Since we were discussing the 430 years. If 2020-2021 comes and goes with no moshiach fine I accept defeat. But if he comes in those years I want admin privileges to this blog. Deal?
If am expecting Moshiach this year. I hope I'm not disappointed. No-one gets admin privileges to this blog except me, so sorry George but that won't happen. However if Moshiach is here, it won't matter anyway. Everything will be resolved.
I checked the ask Moses link and it doesn't work. Anyway I know what the answer will be. I've asked about 59 rabbis and they all tell me the same thing. Count begins with Isaac and they were only in Egypt for 210 years. Do you know of a rabbi with a different opinion? Somebody who thinks outside the box?
George, I don't know whether to laugh or cry with you. You've asked 59 rabbis and they all tell you the same thing.... don't you think that it must be right then ?
If you go to 4Torah.com you can search for anything at all, and every site that comes up will be a kosher website that you can trust.
george: Our Sages tell us that the Israelites were supposed to be in Egypt for the 400 years, but because of their sufferings under the new Pharoah who made them slaves, it was shortened to 210 years. Once the redemption starts it accelerates and H', we are told, will do the same for us in the Ultimate Redemption.
Also, would suggest that you stop testing G-D. H' is beyond time and space, and only He knows exactly when Moshiach comes, but we do know that this is the era, because we have all the signs, so at any time, Moshiach will come in a blink of an eye.
What happened to two Jews ten opinions??? Since when do we agree on something so solidly . In 4000 years of history there hasnt been a single rabbi that disagreed with this? Wow I feel special. Shammai and Hillel agreeded on this too??
Anonymous My friend. Pay attention.
The time that the children of Israel lived in Egypt was 430 years. You cannot start the count from Israel or Isaac of Abraham. It must begin with Jacobs children which means the time they all went down to Egypt. Now exodus 6 clearly calculates that the maximum time they could be in Egypt is 350 years since kohath came to Egypt with Levi. 133+137+80. Now this doesn't mean that they were not in Egypt for 430 years. This means quite simply that Levi son of Jacob is not Levi grandfather of Moses. We are talking about another Levi here. I know what your thinking. It's the same Levi because of his three sons kohath gershon and merari. Wrong. Levi and Simeon were cursed by Jacob because they murdered men in cold blood. Even though the king of shechem raped dina, the other men didn't deserve to die. Therefore Jacob cursed levi and Simeon in gen 49. As we see in deu 33 Moses doesn't bless Simeon. You know why? Because he ceases to exist. I believe the same thing happened to Levi and his three sons in Egypt. No more tribe of Levi. So what happened? Ephraim wanted to remember the son of Levi as a sign of respect. He named his son Levi and commanded him to name his three sons kohath merari and gershon. In other words Levi is the descendant of Ephraim not the son of Jacob.
George thank you for all your comments, but we are going off topic, and to be honest I am not comfortable publishing your version of Torah. That is why your last two comments are not here. I think you are an interesting person, but please understand that this blog only publishes Torah from kosher sources.
Had to just add, never read such a farkrimte (twisted) interpretation of Torah and our history. Suggest george gets a real truly scholarly Rav to show him the truth!
Anonymous I am not the one twisting the 430 years into 210. I am working around the 430 years. I believe if we were in Egypt for 210 then Moses would write in the Torah 210
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