Parshas Chayei Sarah 5787
ויאמר - ה' - הקרה נא לפני ... (כד-יב)
For two consecutive weeks, baalei kriah get to exhibit their “chazanus” with a shalsheles. In last week's sedra on the word ויתמהמה, and this week, on the word ויאמר. Although they share the same trop, the respective backdrops are as diverse as day and night. Lot's life was spared and he escaped by the skin of his teeth, though not on his own merits. He delayed a bit, as he was being whisked off to safety, to try saving some monetary possessions - ויתמהמה. In heaven they did not agree. This week, Eliezer embarked on a mission to find a zivug for Yitzchok. The entire storyline was כולו אומר כבוד. The word "ויאמר" was a heartfelt prayer to fulfill his master’s רצון for the future of כלל ישראל. Two people, worlds apart, captured in the limelight for who they were.
This reminds me of a sadly amusing anecdote. There was once a grouchy old man who was unable to handle the antics of children in shul. He was constantly berating them for their behavior. The children, thoroughly amused by all the “attention” continued “pushing his buttons.” One day, the old man fell ill, and the boys decided to go visit and be מבקר חולה. What did they do? They climbed up onto his roof and began singing refuah shelaima through the sky light. The old man was so infuriated, and began waving his arms mustering his feeble strength and screaming at them to go away. With his arms flailing and his face beet red, the מלאך המות also came to be מבקר חולה and took his neshama. Attempting to chase away the children was his last act - a very sad זכרון. While we shouldn't serve Hashem for ulterior motives, keeping this idea in mind, will help keep things in perspective, and ensure that our actions “always” mirror the ratzon Hashem, because one never knows what will be. As Chazal say שוב יום אחד לפני מיתתך, which we never know when that will be.
On the flip side, this week marks the first yahrzeit of a dear friend. ישראל מאיר ב"ר יעקב Freeman. A chashuva yungerman, tragically taken from us in his prime. Among his myriad extraordinary qualities in the fields of chessed, Torah and mitzvos, he was a wholesome family man, devoted to his wife and children. His final moments were spent on his way to learn in Kollel. That is how we will remember him. יהי זכרו ברוך.