Nov 26, 2017

Raize Guttman 11-26-17 (8 Kislev 5778)

Parsha Vayeira - Beresheit - Chapter 18 - Verses 20-23

From these verses we learn the tremendous lesson that we should never judge anyone. We should go down to their level no matter how they seem in our eyes. Despite the fact that Hashem saw the people of Sodom and their outrageous behavior, he said, I am going to "go down" - I am going to go deeper to see if there is some merit.

From Verse 22 we learn that the preparation to pray is to know who you are standing before. We are praying directly before Hashem and we are standing right before him.

In the next verses we will learn the great efforts Avraham put in tefilah for the people of Sodom before Hashem decides to destroy them. No matter how wicked he thought they were, he did not let any of his personal feelings get involved. He loved people and he believed in the goodness of every person.

Nov 22, 2017

Raize Guttman 11-19-17 (1 Kislev 5778)

Rosh Chodesh Kislev.
Kislev means emunah – faith, trust in Hashem.

Please note: audio will not be posted for this shiur, as it contains information that is private in nature.

Nov 12, 2017

Raize Guttman 11-12-17 (23 Cheshvan 5778)

Parsha Vayeira - Beresheit - Chapter 18 - Verse 17-19

In performing acts of chesed, Avraham Avinu demonstrated by example how we are to behave in the world, how loving-kindness is to imbue our actions and behavior each day of our lives. These acts of kindness were not performed by Avraham just when the need “revealed itself.” Rather, Avraham’s actions teach us that a true ba’al chesed actively seeks out for the opportunity to perform acts of loving-kindness.

In the verses we discuss today Hashem gives Avraham a greater opportunity to go even farther in the depth of his kindness, as he reveals his decision to destroy Sodom. This gives Avraham the opportunity to daven for them. In that we see Avraham's rachmonos/rachmanut, (mercy/compassion). It shows us he is not just doing a chesed but, thinking about the feelings of the other person. A rachmoni is someone who has mercy.

This is a prelude for Avraham's mission statement which is in Verse 19. Hashem says, Avraham and I are in sync & intimately connected. Avraham knows me, knows my will & what I want, so he is the perfect person to carry on my mission and teach it to his children and their future generations will merit receiving the Torah.

Nov 6, 2017

Raize Guttman 11-05-17 (16 Cheshvan 5778)

Parsha Vayeira - Beresheit - Chapter 18 - Verse 16

We are learning about the 3 angels that came to the tent to visit Avraham and Sarah. Each one has a specific mission.