Midreshet Amit

• LIVE TORAH:
• Academic Program
• Yimei Iyun
• FAQ
• Recent Shiurim
• View by Parsha
• View By Chag
• Search Database
• Ask the Rav

How is a leader chosen? Sometimes because there is no one else, with Adam Harishon, there was no one else in the world. In Noach's generation, there was no one else worthy, Noach is described as being righteous in his generation. Moshe was raised for greatness as a young child in the palace in Egypt.

The S'fat Emet explains that Avraham Aveinu's leadership was different than our other leaders. We see in Parshat Lech Lecha that Avraham acts as a leader for the generation, as he travels and builds alters for Hashem in order to teach and bring the people closer to Hashem. We know Avraham is a leader, but how did he get there? Hashem wanted good men to rule the world, so He called to them and awaited their responses. The only one who reached towards Hashem in response was Avraham. He was not chosen by Hashem, rather, Avraham chose Him. We have the opportunity to choose Hashem in our daily life, and we should strive to reach towards Hashem with the understanding that He has an endless amount of unconconditional love for each one of us.

There is a Mashal (parable)that we learned in school this week that explains Hashems unconditional love for bnei yisrael. A newly married couple has a hectic week of Sheva Brachot with family and friends, and finally has a chance to spend time alone the following week. They sit together and begin to talk, and the wife asks her husband a question that he wasn't prepared to answer. She asked him why he loves her, and he responded that he loves her because she's beautiful. She begins to cry and he becomes nervous that he said the wrong thing. He thinks again and says he loves her because she's intelligent, and she sobs even harder. He tries again, and tells her he loves her cooking. She's bawling at this point and her husband is very worried. Finally it comes to him, and he says "I love you because you're you". This story teaches that a love that is dependent on something cannot last. This idea is further explained by the Mishna in Perkei Avot 5:19 that says ״כל האהבה שתלויה בדבר בטל דובר בטלה אהבה. ושאינה תלויה בדבר אינה בטלה לעולם Physical beauty, superficial intelligence, or learned skills can change, but the true essence of the person never changes. Loving the real "you" is ultimate love.

This year in Amit we are spending our time working on showing unconditional love for others and for ourselves as well.

Shabbat Shalom!