>> Torah portion Whether you have 2, 4, 6 or even 20 rugs, bring them to us & we'll clean every other one Parshat Chayei Sarah: Genesis 23:1- 25 • .18 . , 1 Kings 1:1-31 A Today, pet obesity has reached almost ccording to a recent Time epidemic proportions. This is mostly magazine study, Americans the result of owners who "pamper" their spent approximately $370 pets with too much food. What this million dollars on pet costumes for really means is that the owners don't Halloween this year. In a world where pampered pets are de rigeur, this custom love the pet, they love themselves and they feel good when they put out anoth- may come as no surprise. But the link er dish of pet food, actually shortening between pampered pets and our weekly the lifespan of their "best friend" by an Torah portion is surprising and instruc- average of two years. tive. When Eliezer saw a girl who In this week's parshah, we was so willing to help that she are introduced to the first offered to water his camels, shadchan (matchmaker) he was concerned that this ever. Avraham sends out his girl may feel a need to "do trusted aide, Eliezer, to find good" in order to feel good, a suitable woman for his son even where it is uncalled for. Yitzchak. Eliezer, recogniz- So he waited until the camels ing that the task of finding finished. Would she try to a future matriarch was keep watering them, in order immense, devises a litmus to feed that "do-good" feel- test to determine the future Rabbi L ing inside her, or would she matriarch of the Jewish Burnh understand that the camels nation, and prays to God were full and stop, knowing that any that it works. more water would harm them? Eliezer would ask a number of girls This is what Eliezer was waiting to for a drink as they drew water from see. Was this girl's kindness the genuine the well for their families. The one that kind of kindness that would fit perfectly would say, "not only will I give you a into his master's house, or was it the drink, but I will also water your cam- self-serving kindness that often turns els," would be the one to prove herself into cruelty, which needs to be kept worthy of marrying into the house of far away from a patriarch of the Jewish kindness established by Avraham, and people? As soon as he saw that when continued by his son, Yitzchak. the camels were finished drinking she Let's see what happened ... stopped, he immediately began to give "He had not yet finished speaking [to her gifts of jewelry, knowing that she God] and, behold, Rivkah came out ... was the proper shidduch (match). When she had finished giving him to Kindness doesn't make the world go drink, she said, "I will also draw water round, balanced kindness makes the for your camels, until they will have fin- world go round! ished drinking." (Genesis 24:15-19) Here's the question: Eliezer devised a Rabbi Leiby Burnham is the director of out- very specific test and he barely finished reach for the Weiss Family Partners in Torah praying to God that it works, when program of Southfield-based Yeshiva Beth along comes a girl who seems to fit the Yehudah. bill perfectly. She not only gives him water (when many girls would have told him to, "Get some water yourself!"), Conversations but she also offers to water his thirsty • What are some other examples camels. But even after all that, Eliezer where kindness without limita- stood there "wondering at her, remained tions is hurtful? silent, waiting to determine whether God had made his mission successful, or not!" (Genesis 24:21) It seems that only after she finished watering the camels did he feel comfortable that she was the right one, but what took him so long? • Is there a way for us to know when kindness is getting out of control? • What is your favorite form of kindness? Beautifying Homes & Businesses since 1939 1 — 800 — HAGOPiA111 (424-6742) www.originalhagopian.com RUG CARE CENTERS AND SHOWROOMS OAK PARK BIRMINGHAM NOVI UTICA ANN ARBOR 1725850 TO maim PURCHASERS NEW AND USED CAR BROKER Licensed Automobile Dealer in Michigan since 1965. 7011 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322 Ofc. 248-851-2277 Cell. 248-496-2277 I ALSO BUY AND SELL NICE USED CARS AND TRUCKS. rcat 4- , 1 esLIe HO SE we e re a ito Ino . I Custom orders on Parve Cakes Proudly announces we are approved kosher! ! Ca es for your every occasion Cookies • Ice Cream • Fresh Coffee purchase necessary- i E E Mini Parve Torte Coming Soon - " genaari Haa ■ is — Inside Sweet Dreams Bakery Now Open! Nestle Toll House — Orchard Lake Location. 4153 Orchard Lake Rd., Orchard Lake, MI 48323 — 248.737.8900 Bakery Hours:Mon-Wed 9am to 8pm, Thurs 9am to 9pm, Fri & Sat 9am to 10pm, Sun 1 I am to 8pm wwv,:.sweetarearn_sweb.com SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY, SHOP WITH OUR ADVERTISERS! Mention that you saw them in the JN! Visit JNonline.us „IN JN November 8 • 2012 37