Our father Avraham was seventy five when G-d gave him the directive to travel to what would become the land of Israel. Until then he was doing his best to live and teach according to his beliefs in an Almighty G-d. Surely, Avraham had made some local impact. The directive to travel caught him by surprise. But he, and his loyal wife, Sarah, accepted the directive, and prepared for the journey to an unknown future. The question that I would like to pose is, what did the neighbors say?

In my minds ear I can hear the local women clucking their tongues about the decision to move on. "We have such nice parks here for them to enjoy in their retirement," one lady would say. "Such a nice couple," another would chime in. "To think that they don't know anything about where they are going." No, I don't think the neighbors could identify with the decision of Avraham and Sarah. Life was pleasant enough without change. Yet, G-d told them that their true destiny still beckoned. And so they packed their bags, wished their neighbors well, and went on to their destiny to create the Jewish people.

What strikes me, is that with perfect hindsight, the scene is nothing short of comical. Avraham and Sarah are viewed as odd for moving on, while those who stay are viewed as normal. But those neighbors who "knew it all" and were full of news and commentary, are relegated to the dustbins of history, while Avraham and Sorah were able to achieve eternal meaning.

Often in life we hesitate to make decisions because we are concerned about what other people will think. It could be as simple as "Should I light chanukah candles or build a succah," or as sophisticated as who should you marry or what community you should live in. Whatever you decide, it will be analyzed by neighbors, friends and relatives. News and commentary will abound. But ultimately it is you, and only you, who will have to live with the decisions that you make.

The lesson of Avraham and Sorah is not only where they went. The lesson of Avraham and Sarah is also in what they were willing to leave behind. At the time of a fateful decision one wonders what the friends will say. But theirs may be the road that you do not choose to take. A few years down the road, they must live with their decisions, and you will live with yours. May your decisions be like those of Avraham and Sarah, and you will be a happy person indeed.

With best wishes for a wonderful Shabbos,
Rabbi Mordechai Rhine
Young Israel of Cherry Hill
Torah Links of Cherry Hill
www.teach613.org

Question of the week: What compelled Avraham to enter a World War to try to save his nephew Lot? Did he have a guarantee that he would be successful?

For answer to previous week's question please e-mail RMRhine@Torahlinks.org

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This week!

Perek Shira: Song of the Universe, got off to a super start. This Monday the topic will be "The Mule and Our Father Avraham". For men and women- Newcomers are welcome-Monday evenings at 8:00pm.To RSVP or for more information please e-mail RMRhine@Torahlinks.org

Back to the Basics: A new text based course on the laws of daily living, will begin this Sunday, November 9, at 10:00am, at Young Israel of Cherry Hill. For men and women! For more information contact Cindy at 856- 809-0640.

The Mitzvah Series, continues 6:30pm on Tuesdays at the Torah Links Judaic Center. This week we will discuss the mitzvos of Sefer Torah and Mezuzah. For more information contact Yuri at 856- 809-0640.

TAKE TEN FOR TALMUD: Mini-Daf Yomi class (Highlights of the Daf) meets fifteen minutes before shacharis in Young Israel. Join this group for rapid, advanced Talmud study. For more information contact Abe at 856- 414-1095.

Shacharis in Young Israel of Cherry Hill is 6:45am weekday mornings, and 8:30am on Shabbos and Sunday. Maariv is at 9:00pm Sunday through Thursday.
For more information contact Kenny at 856- 482-2684.

This Monday, Women's Shemiras Halashon will meet. The November dates for this group are November 10 and 24. For more information contact Cindy at 856- 321-1981.

Mishmeres Hashalom group will meet this Sunday. For more information please contact Mrs. Yittie Rhine at 856-667-4095.