Dear Friends, Another week has gone by and our situation in a Covid world is still the same, or even worse. But, we always have to realize that we don't live in a Covid world, we live and have always lived in Hashem's world, with his guidance through the Torah and our Hachamim. During this time, we have to reflect on life and put more concentration on the essentials. I think the following point from our

Parasha will help us propel ourselves above the current situation and more into Hashems world. At the onset of our Parasha, Rivka was experiencing labor pains and the Pasuk tells us (Bereshit 25:22) "And the boys agitated within her and she said, "If so, why is this on me?" and she went to inquire of Hashem". Rashi quotes the Sages (Medrash Rabba) who say that the pain Rivka experienced was that when she would pass by a Bet Medrash (house of study) Yitzchak would stir inside of her, wanting to exit her and enter the facility. When she would pass by a place of idol worship, Esav would kick wishing to exit. Since we have a tradition (Gemara Masechet Niddah 30B) that a child is taught the entire Torah while in the mothers womb from an angel; why then would Yaakov want to escape that?, He's learning Torah already!? This is a famous question with two famous answers, which will ultimately bring me to the point that I would like to high-light. The first answer: Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik (also known as the Bet HaLevi,19th century Belarus) answers that it is preferable to abandon that Torah learning, than to be in proximity of an evil man like Esav! The second approach is that it is better to work hard for the Torah learning than get "spoon fed" from an angel. But a question on this entire Medrash is: Why did Yaakov try to leave?, He knew he couldn't just jump out of his mothers womb? The answer to this is a profound message that I saw quoted in the name of Rabbi Elimelech Biderman shlita (a famous Chasidic Rabbi in Yerushalayim), who explains from here that: One is supposed to try to do good, even though you know you will fail! The desire to do good is so precious to Hashem, even when you don't succeed! Yaakov tried to go to the Bet Medrash, he tried doing good, and that's what counts! We're in tough times. Irregular times. So let's not sulk and dwell on it, rather let's also be irregular (!) and try things in spirituality that we haven't done before! Just like Yaakov put in effort and tried, though it was unlikely he would be successful; let's try to get closer to Hashem with Mitzvot that are still not a part of us, and you'll see that you will be successful! Shabbat Shalom U'Mevorach Rabbi Azoulay

November 21 2020 שבת פרשת תולדות א“ה כסלו תשפ

WELCOME TO MAGEN DAVID SEPHARDIC CONGREGATION Spiritual Leader: Rabbi Messod Azoulay

Address: 10 McAllister Rd, Tor onto, ON M3H 2M9 Email: office@m agendavid.ca Phone: (416) 636-0865

Rabbi Azoulay’s Gem of the Week:

"The main part of Tefila is our heart, and in Tefila there is nothing more

whole than a broken heart."

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Friday Nov 20 Minha 4:20 PM Candle Lighting 4:29 PM Shekia 4:47 PM

Shabbat Nov 14 Shaharit 8:45 AM Latest Shema 9:06 AM Tehilim 3:50 PM Minha 4:20 PM Arvit 5:20 PM Shabbat Ends 5:34 PM

Next Friday Nov 27 Candle lighting 4:25 PM

Minha 4:15 PM

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Shabbat Afternoon between Minha & Arvit Shiur on the work of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef zt”l

We're Here For You During these challenging times, people's needs are different, new and real. Magen David is always here for you even though we're not physically together. I'm so proud that many volunteers ap-proached me asking what they can do for you during this time. If there is any way we can help you, please let us know. Also, if you know someone that can use any help, a phone call etc, please make sure to tell us. My cell phone number is (416) 830-7570. I'm happy to say that after speaking to the majority of the Kahal, you are all doing well and waiting ambitiously to get back to La Maison... Me too! With much love, Rabbi Azoulay

Daily Minyan

We need help with weekday morning minyan. If you

could please come and help one morning a week it

would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Rabbi Azoulay's Last Weeks Derasha This week one of the Gedolim of America, Rabbi Dovid Feinstien ztl passed away. He was the son of Rabbi Moshe Feinstien zt”l, but he was a Gadol in his own right. THE Halachic authority in the USA and was known for his Chessed and kindness. The story goes that there was a discussion about if you had the choice of having at your Shabbat table any 3 people you want, from the beginning of time until now, who would you choose? An unbelievable thought! And he answered: 3 poor people that need a good meal! - He was always thinking in Torah and Halacha how to fulfill the Mitzvot! So I want to speak about a practical Mitzva that is learned from our Parasha, in line with the practical, Halachic mind and life of Rabbi Dovd Feinstien zt”l. -- Today we’re going to discuss the prayer of Mincha! (Many of the following points are from a Shiur I read from Rabbi Elimelech Biderman in Eretz Yisrael. A Chasidic Rabbi who has a great following) The Gemara (Berachot 26B) teaches us that Yitzchak Avinu established Tefilat Mincha. As it says in the Pasuk in our Parasha (24:63) " ויצא יצחק לשוח בשדה לפנות ערבYitzchak went to pray in the field towards evening…" The Tur (R’ Yaakov ben HaRosh (232) writes, "One must be very careful with Mincha…because Eliyahu's Tefilot were only answered by Mincha time. As it states (Melachim 1, 18:36) Eliyahu approached Hashem with Tefila at the time of Mincha and he was answered.” What is unique about Mincha that has more of a chance of being answered as opposed to the other Tefilot? The Tur explains that this is so because Minha is the hardest Tefila to keep track of, as it is right in the middle of the day, while a man is in the midst of his work. Shacharit and Arvit are easy to keep track of, because it is recited the first thing in the morning, and immediately upon returning from work. But how does one remember to pray Mincha? And besides, it is hard to leave work to pray! -- These factors make this Tefila very precious, and the Tefilot said at this time are fulfilled! The Gemara that we quoted proved that Tefilot said at Mincha are answered from the story of Eliyahu HaNavi. -- The Kli Yakar in our Parasha (24:63) adds another proof. He writes, "Avraham and Yitzchak established Shacharit and Arvit, but we don't see that their Tefilot were answered immediately. But when Yitzchak prayed Mincha, his prayers were answered right away! Because Yitzchak was probably praying for a spouse since Eliezer was now on the road for this purpose, and it states (Berachot 8A) that a person who is single should pray for a spouse….And we see his prayers were answered immediately! as it states in the aforementioned Pasuk: “He lifted his eyes, and saw the camels coming.” He prayed with his eyes turned downwards, or closed, and immediately upon finishing the Tefila he raised his eyes, and saw that his Tefilot were already answered as cam-els were coming carrying his future spouse! Another explanation as to why Tefilat Mincha is answered more quickly than the other Tefilot; is that Shahrit can be compared to the beginning of life, Arvit can be compared to the end of life. And at the beginning of life to be a good person isn’t difficult, you’re a child, a young person growing up. And so too at the end of life, you’re old and went through life and recognize what life is all about, so it’s easy to be good and connected to Hashem. Minha is the middle of life, when one is full of strength, he thinks he can do anything and you still turn to Ha-shem and connect with Him, now that’s powerful!

This connects to why Yitzchak loved Esav. Though he was a Rasha, he was in the middle of his life and if he can turn him to the good it will be an unbelievable level that he can get to! Now, why is it called Minchah? Shacharit and Arvit are named for the time of day that they are said. (Morning and Night - When Ashkenazim say “Let’s Daven Marv. They’re not trying to find Uncle Marv, they mean that they want to pray Arvit! - Maariv means Maarav, West, where the sun sets). --- But Why is the afternoon Tefila called Mincha? There are many answers but the Baal HaTanya (first Chabad Rebbi, passed in 1813) answers: A Korban Mincha is a flour offering, which comes along with many Korbanot. The Gemara (Menachot 104B) states that the only Korban with the word , נפשsoul, written next to it, is the Korban Mincha. As it states (Vayikra 2:1) VENESFESH KI TAKRIV KORBAN MINCHA L’HASHEM “If a soul brings a Korban Mincha for Hashem." --Why specifically by this Korban is "Nefesh" mentioned, it should say "ADAM" (man) KI YAKRIV? It is because Hakadosh Baruch Hu says, "Who brings a Korban Mincha? Someone who is poor and can only afford to bring some flour with oil. I consider it as if he sacrificed his soul before me!" -- Similarly, when one breaks away from his work in the middle of the day to pray Mincha, there is an aspect of Mesirut Nefesh, and therefore it is called Mincha. Hashem says, "When you pray Mincha, I consider it like you sacrificed your soul before me." I want to end with a story I heard this week that has to do with Tefila in general: A widow who had 6 children was getting old and it was decided that she should be put in a nursing home. The 6 children lived in different cities and one day they called and said that she had died. The nursing home said, "We know you live far, therefore we can take care of the arrangements and all you need to do is just come in for the funeral". They agreed, came to the funeral, said Kaddish, and sat Shiva. People were coming to the home and were giving their condolences etc. On the third day of Shiva, someone called and the first mourner answered the phone and then immediately fainted. The same happened to the second mourner as well. The third mourner grabbed the phone and said "Who is this?" and on the other line a light high pitched voice responded "It’s your mother, why hasn’t anyone visited me in so long!". They ran over to the nursing home and sure enough she was alive! They were of course so happy to see her etc...But they were ready to sue the Nursing home! -- What happened? The nursing home made a mistake! -- Now the nursing home had to call the family of the lady that really passed away and they were expecting an even bigger lawsuit! They called and the only child answered and said: "She died?! Good! Do whatever you want with her, I’m not coming!" And he hung up the phone on them! ---The roommate of the Nifteret told this family, Hakol Min Hashamayim!, Everything is from Hashem! "A few months ago this son came to visit his mother and they got into an argument and he said I’m never talking to you again, never saying Kaddish for you and I won’t be at your funeral!" For months she prayed and prayed for a proper funeral and Kaddish... and she got it! --- That's the power of Tefila! May we start praying Minha if we don’t already (at least Beyachid); and if we do already, then strengthen ourselves in Minha and Be’ezrat Hashem, we will see many Yeshuot! - Shabbat Shalom!

Parashat Toledot- The Intergenerational Bond Rabbi Eli Mansour In the beginning of Parashat Toledot, the Torah tells that Yishak pleaded with Hashem for children, as his wife, Ribka, was infertile. G-d answered his prayers, and, when Yitzhak was 60 years old, Ribka delivered twin boys, Yaakob and Esav. The Torah uses the term ‘Va’yetar" in reference to Yishak’s prayer, a term which connotes an especially intense, fervent and desperate plea. Yishak is described as pleading in desperation for children. We might wonder why Yishak prayed with such desperation. After all, Hashem had already promised his father, Abraham, that he would produce a large nation, and Hashem also informed Abraham that "Ki Be’Yishak Yikareh Lecha Zara" – this nation would descend specifically from Yishak, and not from any other child (Bereshit 21:12). Yishak undoubtedly knew about this promise, and so he knew that he would produce offspring. Why, then, did Yishak feel so desperate, if he was assured that he would have children? One explanation is that he wanted to produce children with Ribka, a righteous woman, rather than having to marry somebody else. This might be why the Torah tells, "Va’yetar Yishak Le’Hashem Le’nochah Ishto" – "Yishak pleaded to G-d on behalf of his wife," because his request was to have children together with Ribka. An additional answer emerges from the Gemara’s teaching in Masechet Baba Mesia (85a), "Anyone who is a Torah scholar, his son is a Torah scholar, and his grandson is a Torah scholar – then Torah will never cease from his offspring, forever." The Gemara cites as the source of this concept a verse from the Book of Yeshayahu (59:21), in which Hashem promises that the words of Torah "will not leave your mouth, the mouth of your offspring and the mouth of your offspring’s offspring…from now until forever." Hashem assures that if one studies Torah, and his children and their children also study Torah, then Torah will remain among their descendants for all time. Tosafot (Talmud commentaries by Medieval French and German scholars), in Masechet Ketubot (62b), add an important condition to this rule, establishing that it applies only if the three generations see each other. If a son, father and grandfather all learn Torah and see each other, then this has a powerful impact which guarantees the continuity of Torah in this family for all generations. The rationale behind this idea is that when one sees his religiously-devoted grandparents, he is inspired and humbled by their example. The Torah tells later in the Book of Bereishit (50:23) that Yosef’s grandchildren were raised "Al Birkeh Yosef" – which literally means, "on Yosef’s knees," or his lap. On a deeper level, however, the knees are associated with humility and submission (as we say in the Alenu prayer, "Kil Lecha Tichra Kol Berech" – "before You, every knee shall kneel"). Yosef’s grandchildren were humbled by their exposure to this great figure. This is the impact that grandparents can have on their grandchildren, an impact which endures for all time. Returning to Yishak’s prayer, the explanation might be that although Yishak knew with certainty that he would beget children, he desperately wanted to ensure that he would have a child who would see and be exposed to Yishak’s father, Abraham. This was a vitally important condition that needed to be met to assure that Torah would remain forever among his descendants, the Jewish People. Yishak was born when Abraham was 100, and Yishak’s children were born when he was 60 – meaning, when Abraham was 160. As the years passed without his begetting a child, Yishak realized that his father was aging, and he wanted to ensure that his son would have his illustrious grandfather as part of his childhood and upbringing. This is why he pleaded so desperately – not just to have a child, but to have a child soon enough for him to be influenced and inspired by Abraham’s greatness. Yishak’s prayers were answered. Yaakob and Esav were born 15 years before Abraham’s passing, and the Hid"a (Rav Haim Yosef David Azulai, 1724-1806) writes that during those fifteen years, the three generations – Abraham, Yishak and Yaakov – learned Torah together, thereby assuring the eternal continuity of Torah among Am Yisrael. One of the hallmarks of our community is the close bond between the generations. Children in our community have regular exposure to their grandparents, and, very often, to their great-grandparents. This is, undoubtedly, one of the contributing factors to our community’s great success in perpetuating our values and traditions. May we all be blessed with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and we may all serve as inspiring role models for future generations, thus doing our part to ensure the everlasting continuity of Torah.

MD Picture of the Week

"We welcomed Rosh Hodesh Kislev this past week, we

hope to celebrate together again, like in the past, for

this Hanuka!"