EMEK BLOSSOMS

November 1, 2013 | 28 Cheshvan, 5774 | Volume 1 Issue 2

15365 Magnolia Blvd. Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 818.783.3663 info@emek.org www.emek.org

IN THIS ISSUE:
Parsha Toldos Emeks 9th Annual Golf & Tennis Tournament Raises $120,000 Emek Reaches 600 Students!

From Scorn To Scorned

By Rabbi Mordechai Shifman, Head of School ...and Eisav spurned the birthright (25:34) On the day that Avraham died, Eisav committed ve heinous offenses; he violated a betrothed maiden, murdered, denied Hashems existence, denied the notion of Hashem resurrecting the dead, and spurned the birthright. The Talmud cites all of the allusions found in the verses for these transgressions. Why is the spurning of the birthright the only transgression to be mentioned by the Torah explicitly, when it would appear to be the least severe of the ve? The Torah introduces the episode of the selling of the birthright with Yaakov cooking lentil stew. The Talmud explains that Avraham had passed away that day and Yaakov was preparing the traditional mourners meal for his father, Yitzchak. Rashi cites the Talmud that although Avraham was supposed to live to the age of one hundred eighty, he died ve years early to prevent him from witnessing his grandson, Eisavs abhorrent behavior. Eisav was fteen years of age at the time of Avrahams death. Commenting upon the verse and the youths grew up, Rashi states that although Yaakov and Eisav were distinctly different in nature, as children there was no conspicuous difference between them. Once they reached the age of thirteen, the stark contrast became apparent; Yaakov frequented houses of study and Eisav, houses of idol worship. Why did Avrahams premature death occur when Eisav was fteen and not two years earlier, when it became evident that he engaged in idolatry? Rashi comments on the verse vayivez Eisav es habechorah - Eisav spurned the birthright, that Eisav rejected and showed contempt for the service of Hashem, which was linked to the rstborns birthright. Eisav is not being held accountable for selling the birthright, rather it is the fact that he holds the birthright in contempt, thereby showing a lack of respect and sensitivity towards CONTINUED ON BACK

UP AND COMING EVENTS:

A Shabbat of Inspiration
This Shabbat Rabbi Mordechai Shifman will be guest lecturer at various Shuls in the Encino Jewish community. To have Rabbi Shifman or any of the Emek faculty lecture in your community, please call 818783-3663 ext.2001 or email mshifman@emek.org.

Did You know?

In the last two years, 7

out of 8 Valedictorian awards

from YULA and Valley Torah high schools were given to Emek graduates!

THIS WEEKS NEWSLETTER IS SPONSORED BY: Rabbi Mordechai and Debbie Shifman in Honor of the Bar Mitzva of Jonathan Lapidot
To sponsor a Weekly Dvar in honor or in memory of a loved one and/or to donate to Emek Hebrew Academy Teichman Family Torah Center, please contact 818-783-3663 or email info@ emek.org

THIS WEEKS NEWSLETTER IS SPONSORED BY: Rabbi Mordechai and Debbie Shifman in Honor of the Bar Mitzva of Jonathan Lapidot

FROM SCORN TO SCORNED CONTINUED the service of Hashem, for which he is being taken to task. All transgressions can be attributed to compelling forces which, although they do not excuse the behavior itself, to a certain extent they can be a mitigating factor. Whether a person is motivated by desire, wealth, egotism or self-preservation, as heinous as the transgression may be, the path for reconnecting himself to his Creator is still accessible. In contrast, the person who acts out of contempt, reaches a point of no return. Such behavior can never be mitigated or excused. The Torah highlights Eisavs contempt above all his other transgressions, for it is specically this behavior which characterizes the reason why Eisav is an unworthy progenitor of his grandfather Avrahams legacy. Even after performing idol worship at the age of thirteen, Eisav was still spiritually redeemable. Only once he exhibited his disdain for all that is holy did it become necessary for Hashem to protect Avraham from witnessing Eisavs spiritual demise.

CANDLE LIGHTING TIMES: Encino 5:44PM Los Angeles 5:43PM Northridge 5:44PM Valley Village 5:43PM

Emek Hebrew Academy Teichman Family Torah Center, located in Sherman Oaks and Valley Village, is an ECC, K-8th grade school dedicated to providing an academically challenging and strong Orthodox education for Jewish children. Emek provides comprehensive, well balanced curriculums in both Torah and general studies in a warm and nurturing environment.

Emeks 9th Annual Golf & Tennis Tournament Raises $120,000

Emeks 9th Annual Golf & Tennis Tournament took place on Monday, October 28th at Braemar Country Club in Tarzana, CA. We welcomed over ninety golfers and ten tennis players and hosted over one hundred thirty guests for dinner. We were honored to have join us Chief of Police Jorge Villegas, Chief Assistant Regina Scott and Captain Ivan Minsal. The chief addressed our dinner guests and expressed his hopes for a long-standing relationship between Emek Hebrew Academy Teichman Family Torah Center and the LAPD. Our event raised over $120,000 which will directly benet our scholarship fund. We want to take this opportunity to thank our many sponsors: Special thanks to Division 6 and Mr. and Mrs. Ira Leibowitz, our title sponsors, Skechers USA, Inc., Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Aharonoff, Drs. Roy and Aviva Mansano, The Teichman Family, Dr. & Mrs. Shahram Jacobs, and Mr. Lyle Weisman. The success of our event could not have been possible without their support.

Emek Reaches 600 Students!

This year, Bezrat Hashem, our 600th enrolled student is attending our school. This milestone could not have been accomplished without the efforts and support of our lay leadership and our strong parent base. Yeyasher Kochachem to all of you. Kol Hakavod, Rabbi Mordechai Shifman, Head of School and Mr. Daniel Aharonoff, Board President