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Parshas Vayera Pearls & Inspiration by Dr Rubie Minkowitz · The Frum Health Club Podcast

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: Kitchabis Pashas Vayera.
• 0:03
  SPEAKER_00: In our Prasha we learn about the power of prayer.
• 0:06
  SPEAKER_00: Specifically, if you pray for someone else, not only are you helping another, but your needs also get answered.
• 0:16
  SPEAKER_00: Avram prayed for Avimelech and his kingdom to have a Rafua Shalema after they were smitten by a plague for taking Sarah captive.
• 0:26
  SPEAKER_00: They were healed, and right after that we read that Hashem remembered Sara and blessed her to give birth to Yitzhab.
• 0:35
  SPEAKER_00: This concept of praying for another is so important that we read this portion on Rosh Hashanah.
• 0:42
  SPEAKER_00: Along the same line, this Sunday, I am running New York City Marathon again for high lifeline.
• 0:50
  SPEAKER_00: Running for a purpose to help others is more meaningful than just running 26.2 miles as a personal achievement.
• 0:59
  SPEAKER_00: And may all those who need a Rafu Ashleima be blessed with one.
• 1:04
  SPEAKER_00: Furthermore, I am running with tsits that have the words Am Yisrael Chai boldly printed on them.
• 1:11
  SPEAKER_00: Let New York City see a proud Jew, since there are close to a million spectators.
• 1:18
  SPEAKER_00: And this public display is inspired by the Parsha from Mamre, Avram's friend, who advised him to do the bris of Yislak publicly to show the world.
• 1:29
  SPEAKER_00: Since Hashem told him to do the bris, that is something you need to be proud of.
• 1:35
  SPEAKER_00: And being public and courageous with your Yiddishkite gives others strength to do this as well.
• 1:43
  SPEAKER_00: And the same way the parsha begins with Hashem appearing to Avram, so too for us, because we are his descendants, Hashem also appears to us.
• 1:53
  SPEAKER_00: The only real difference is that Avram had the ability to see this with his eyes.
• 1:59
  SPEAKER_00: And the Rebbe says we should not be satisfied with Hashem's invincible presence in our life, but we should cry out and ask for Hashem to show him himself to us as well.
• 2:13
  SPEAKER_00: So the first Jewish child that is born by an open miracle is called Yusuch, which means laughter.
• 2:20
  SPEAKER_00: And Sarah proclaimed that Hashem brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh, which is interesting, since in the beginning of the parsha, when she hears that she will have a baby, she laughs cynically and then denies that she did.
• 2:37
  SPEAKER_00: And the Svas Ms says that Sara was the first Yiddishamama, and she is showing us through her experience to transform cynicism, which can undermine your potential to laughter, and that life is unpredictable.
• 2:53
  SPEAKER_00: Yet laughter and joy is the best way for us to elevate ourselves and to transform a cynical outlook on life, a life lesson for us.
• 3:05
  SPEAKER_00: And now let us look at Avram.
• 3:08
  SPEAKER_00: On one hand, Hashem is pondering whether he should tell Avram about his plans to destroy Sudan, since Avram will protest this as he did, holding Hashem accountable.
• 3:20
  SPEAKER_00: And in another situation, when Avram asks Hashem what to do about Yeshmo, he says, Listen to your wife, that Yishmo needs to be kicked out, which is especially pertinent for our times.
• 3:34
  SPEAKER_00: Avram didn't have it easy.
• 3:36
  SPEAKER_00: One son he was told to kick out, and the other one he was told to offer as a sacrifice.
• 3:43
  SPEAKER_00: So how did he do this?
• 3:45
  SPEAKER_00: Chaziz explains that Avram was a Merkava, a conduit to God.
• 3:50
  SPEAKER_00: In other words, it was never about him, but rather what Hashem wanted him to do.
• 3:56
  SPEAKER_00: He performed acts of service and fought for injustice, and woke up at the crack of dawn to follow through on God's command.
• 4:06
  SPEAKER_00: And this is how he was able to see Hashem.
• 4:10
  SPEAKER_00: And God called out to him with a term of endearment, Avraham Avraham.
• 4:16
  SPEAKER_00: And he responded, Hinani, here I am to serve you.
• 4:20
  SPEAKER_00: And then we see Avram and Yesak walking together towards that goal.
• 4:26
  SPEAKER_00: And fast forward today, we Amisrah are still saying, Hinani, here we are to serve you, as Hayem Yem says this week, to make a dwelling place for Hashem.
• 4:37
  SPEAKER_00: And as the parsha concludes, with the word Ma'akha, which stands for Melech Al Kalharis, that Hashem will be Vayera, revealed as the ultimate king of the world, with Mashiachenu.
• 4:54
  SPEAKER_00: Amen and Gujavis.