WEALTH

Dear Family,

I hope everyone is well.

I want to apologise to Mark Koval for missing his birthday on the 6th of November, to Perry whose birthday was on the 15th of November, and to Reuven whose birthday was yesterday! For those who do not know, Mark's daughter Mikayla is married to Perry. And Mark's wife Pam is also on our group

Reuven everyone knows is my brother and Perry's father, and married to Chana Lieba (Annette)

The reason I missed these out is that I was focused on the Hebrew dates, and looking in October calendar instead of November.

But as nothing happens by accident, this gives me a good opportunity to reintroduce the Kovals and to wish the members of the Davidoff /Koval Families ie Mark, Reuven and Perry a big UNITED MAZAL TOV on your birthdays. Wishing you all a happy year with much achievement, and much shared nachas from your children!

There are 2 Yohrtzits this week:

We wish long life to Sid and Brian on the yohrtzeit of Uncle Dave ah, for whom I have many fond memories. His neshamah should have an Aliyah.

It is also the yohrtzeit of Alden ah, my cousin. His neshamah should have an Aliyah. We wish long life to Froma and Kerry Lee. Alden and I spent many years of sharing each other's company, and I still think about him often.

Mazal Tov to the following grandchildren who have excelled in their Rambam exams (Chidon) - Esther and Binyamin Davidoff in London and Gavriel Davidoff in LA. So proud of you all! Not sure if anyone else participated?

I saw 2 short Dvar Torah from this week's Sedra Chayei Sarah, which I think are connected to each other.

Who ruled over all that he had (Gen. 24:2) (- Klei Yakar)

These words refer to Abraham and indicate just how great a person he was. Though Abraham amassed wealth, he did not become like some other wealthy people for whom money becomes the only motivating factor in their lives.

Abraham ruled over his possessions, and not the other way around.

And Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac, but to the sons of the concubines...he gave gifts (Gen. 25:5-6) (-The Rebbe)

Isaac is symbolic of holiness and the spiritual realm.

The "sons of the concubines" stand for the physical and corporeal world.

The Torah teaches that we must give "all" of ourselves - the lion's share of our time, energy and talents - to spiritual matters.

Worldly matters, however, can be placated with "gifts"...

Gut Shabbos to all