A MESSAGE FROM HARAV DOVID COHEN
Moreh D'Asrah, Ohel
Our tradition behooves us to emulate the attributes of our Patriarchs.
Avrohom Avinu represents the attribute of חסד - Loving kindness.
Yitzchok Avinu that of יראה- Fear of G-d.
Yaakov Avinu, according to some, the proper blend of the attributes of Lovingkindness and fear;
according to others, the pursuit of אמת - Truth.
One of Israel's great savants gave an original interpretation of the blessings given to Avrohom Avinu.
"ואעשך לגוי גדול ואברכך ואגדלה שמך והיה ברכה"
Literally: “I shall make you into a great nation, I shall bless you with great wealth,
I shall enlarge your reputation, You shall be a blessing.”
The Rabbis gave a homiletical interpretation:
"ואעשך לגוי גדול" represents the phrase א-לוקי אברהם
"ואברכך" represents א-לוקי יצחק
"ואגדלה שמך" represents א-לוקי יעקב
"יכל יהיו חותמין בכולן" You may think that this first blessing of Tefilah is to end with mentioning all three patriarchs,
meaning that we should say at the conclusion:
"מגן אברהם יצחק ויעקב"
Not so! והיה ברכה
We conclude only with "מגן אברהם".
The savant gave a unique interpretation of the last phrase.
We know that "מעשה אבות סימן לבנים". The actions of our Avos are historically enacted by their descendants.
Throughout our history, we enacted the three attributes mentioned above:
Lovingkindness, Fear of G-d, being Truthful and the proper blending of these midos;
However, "בך חותמים"
At the conclusion of the world's history, before the advent of the Messiah,
the attribute that Israel shall be mostly involved in, shall be that of Avrohom;
that is, Loving kindness, because it shall be due to Israel's devotion
to the care and needs of others that shall bring משיח צדקנו
Each and every one who has contributed energy to the work of Ohel is a participant in the bringing of the Messiah.
Therefore, I feel that a proper conclusion to this message is
“Don't be surprised if he shows up suddenly at this dinner."
We happily welcome him and say,
אמן כן יהי רצון