Parshas Lech Lecha
October 31, 2009 - 13 Cheshvan 5770
A SPECIAL SECTION FOR THOSE
WHO PREPARE FOR SHABBOS
AN OLD HEBREW EXPRESSION STATES: THOSE
WHO PREPARE FOR SHABBOS EAT ON SHABBOS
Voices From the Ezras Nashim
During the months when daily tasks kept me too busy to put fingers to keyboard I mulled an issue that filled me with stress. I thought about writing during those months to clear my mind and perhaps to find an answer, but the beginning would not fall into place. The dilemma for me was that each time a celebrity (and there were many this past summer) or friend died from cancer the pat phrase I heard was “they lost their battle.” I felt that the deaths of these people overshadowed their lives. At the same time each of us in our time will die. Will each of us lose our battle? It seems to me that we are so overcome by the power of disease to bring death that we see death as a defeat.
In many ways this week's Parsha has brought a new level of understanding for me. HaShem commanded Avram to go forth from his father's house to a land that Hashem would show him. As Rabbi Pinchus Winston points out Avram did not know where he was going. He simply trusted and did as he was told. Eventually Sarah and later Avraham would die. They did not lose a battle by dying. They were victorious in the task set for them. They left their fathers' houses and set out on a life journey filled with events of magnificent glory and extreme challenge. This is the path that HaShem sets before each of us. We do not know where we will go, but if we trust in HaShem and live life then dying does not bring defeat. It brings the completion of a task and the prospect of a Yasher Koach from the Master of us all.
Elk's Menu
Parshas Lech Lecha
October 31, 2009-13 Cheshvan
5770
Whole Wheat Challah 
Baked in the merit of a child for a childless couple—for this week's names please call Yehudis Halberstam—718--972--4793
Seasonal Fruit Plate
Leafy Green Vegetable Soup
Salmon en Croute with Caramelized Onions
Veggie Lasgne
Challah Stuffing
Roasted Baby Parsnips and Carrots
Orzo Salad
Lettuce Salad with Fine Herbs and Homemade Dressing
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Kiddush
Egg Salad
Tuna Salad
Gefilte Fish
Baked Tilapia
Herring
Chumus
Israeli Salad
Mango
Salsa
Crackers
Cookies
Time is still limited, but I will try to post some recipes next week. Please send suggestions for the ones that should be posted first.
Elk