Date: Wed, May 24 2000 2:38:25 PM +0300 (IDT) 

B"H

                                    "Path Markers"
                                      Bechukosi:
                               By: Yaacov Silverstein
                          e@mail: hm16@popeye.cc.biu.ac.il
                      HomePage: http://faculty.biu.ac.il/~hm16/
                                      Year:  5760

This Years Parsha Series is prepared in the memory and merit of:
My grandfather:  Rav Yitzchak Zev Ben Yisroel Mordechai Hakohen Solomon Z"L 

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Pasuk (26:42):

"I will remember My covenant with Jacob and also My covenant with
Yitzchak, and also my covenant with Avraham, will I remember, and I will
remember the land."

Our Pasuk writes the name Yaakov, with a letter "Vav" after the "Kuf".
This is one of only five places in the Torah where Yaakov is spelled with
a "Vav".  We also find only five places in the Scripture, where Eliyahu is
written without a "Vav" (at the end of Eliyahu).  This hints to us that
Yaakov took a letter "Vav" from Eliyahu's name, as a collateral, to ensure
that Eliyahu will come to herald the redemption of Yaakov (Bnei Yiroel).

Rabbi Dovid Feinstein asks, why this letter had to be a "Vav", why
couldn't it be some other letter?

He explains that the word "Vav" means a connecting hook.  This word
symbolizes unity amongst the Bnei Yisroel, which is required to end our
present exile.  It states in a Mishna (the last one in Eduyos), that
Eliyahu will first come to make peace amongst the Bnei Yisroel, and then
he will come and announce the end of our exile.  We thus have the letter
"Vav" as the collateral, for the unity is lacking, and thus quicken
Eliyahiu's return and end our exile speedily.

Rabbi Shimon Scwab asks, why was there a need for a collateral that
Eliyahu will come to tell us about our redemption.  Why can't we be
redeemed without Eliyahu heralding us about our redemption?

He answers by first explaining what is meant by a miracle.  A miracle is
something which goes against the normal flow of nature.  However, we are
unable to state what exactly is considered the natural flow of the world,
for we are not aware of all the things which were set to work on a natural
course.  The Ramban explains that we believe that all Hashem does in this
world, even what we see as nature, is really based on hidden miracles.
When we call something an open miracle, we are only able to call it a
revealed miracle, for we were first told by a Malach (Angel) or Navi
(Prophet) that it would occur, before its occurrence.  Thus Yaakov took a
collateral that when Eliyahu will come to herald us about our redemption,
he would first come to tell us, and thus it would be clear to all that it
is a miracle.  This collateral was also to ensure that maybe great things
would happen in the world, and a false prophet would come and say that he
is the Moshiach.

If we look at a different aspect of the Pasuk, we will notice that the
order of the Avos (Patriarchs) is in the opposite order.  First we have
Yakov -> Yitzchak -> Avraham.  Why is the order changed in this Pasuk?
There are various explanations, one of them is given by the Lubliner Rav
(Rav Meir Shapiro).  We know that each of the Avos possessed a special
attribute in which they excelled in, and which they transmitted to the
Bnei Yisroel.  

Yaakov - Represents the study of the Torah. 
Yitzchak - Represents the service of Hashem, prayer. 
Avraham - Represents loving kindness, Chesed.

As we know, every generation is on a lower level than the previous one.

In the past, most Jews possessed all three attributes.  Slowly through the
passage of time, people started learning less Torah and kept less Mitzvos,
yet they still prayed and came to Shul to Daven.  It used to be that
everyone belonged to a Shul.  Each person wanted that connection to his
Jewishness.  Slowly, prayer also fell to the way side, yet they still felt
it important to do acts of kindness.  They still gave generously to help
orphans, hospitals, Yeshiva's to be able to survive.  This enabled the
merit of Avraham, and thus Hashem's covenant will be remembered.

Yet, slowly this feeling of Chesed also faded away, and we were only left
with the end of the Pasuk, "I will remember the Land".  To many Jews,
their only link left to Judaisim is the "Land of Israel".  Thus it is of
importance for those far from their heritage to still keep their link to
the "Land of Israel".  

To our sorrow, even this last link is starting to break away, we are thus
not only required to strengthen our fellow Jews to Torah and Tefillah and
Chesed, yet there is a requirement to now also strengthen our fellow Jews
in their love for Eretz Yisroel.  For in the merit of their connection to
the Land, Hashem's Covenant will be remembered.

The unity amongst Am Yisroel with love for our fellow Jew, will bring our
complete redemption speedily in our days.
(Artscroll Chumash, Mayan Beit Ha Shoeiva, Kol Dodi, Table Talk)   


I would like to thank my mother (S.M.F) for helping me out by looking over the first draft.

(The above Halacha is not Psak, it is there to try to help to increase
ones Torah awareness, for final Psak, please consult your : Local Reliable
Orthodox Rabbi.)


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