From Bondage to Freedom Birkat Hachama Experience
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Dedicated in memory of Rachel Leah bat R' Chaim Tzvi Volume I, number 4 Brought to you by Naaleh.com Naaleh.com, the world's premier online Torah video school, provides men and women at all levels with free stimulating classes in a wide variety of Torah subjects. Treat yourself to a spiritual lift with Torat Imecha, the women’s Torah weekly, based on current Naaleh.com classes. From Bondage to Freedom Based on a Naaleh.com shiur by Rabbi Hershel Reichman By: Devora Kaye When the Jews left Egypt, they not only left the lowest biological force, parallels kaved, the the Jewish nation was dominated by Paraoh bondage for freedom, but they achieved an liver which cleanses the blood, ruach, the who declared himself a deity, and sought to elevated status of bnei melachim-princes. second level parallels lev, the heart and the wrest all powers of thought from them. Jews, however, are not supposed to seek seat of emotion, and neshama, the highest When the Jewish people were redeemed, they dominion over the world, so what specifically level, parallels moach, the center of intellect. regained control over the three dominant levels did Hashem give them? The Shem MiShmuel The tragedy of the Egyptian enslavement was of the soul. It was a form of spiritual recreation answers that they were given the power to rule that these three parts of the Jewish people’s of the world. The Shem MiShmuel explains that over themselves. This is in direct contrast to soul were dominated by three entities in the 10 plagues paralleled the 10 utterances modern society where people strive for power Egypt:- Paraoh, Melech Mitzraim, and the with which Hashem created the world. Hashem over others and very few seek to control Egyptian people. The Nefesh, the bodies of the released us from bondage in Nissan, the themselves. Jewish people were subjugated by the month in which Hashem first actively created The acronym of Melech (king) is moach Egyptian slave masters. The Ruach, the spirit the world, so that we could develop true inner (mind), lev (heart), and kaved (liver). This and emotions of the Jewish people were frozen freedom, mastery over our souls, and a unique corresponds to the 3 levels of the soul: nefesh, by Melech Mitzraim. The Neshama-the brain of and everlasting close bond with Hashem. Birkat Hachama Experience Based on a Naaleh.com shiur by Mrs. Shira Smiles By: Chani Koplowitz Stein “Ein mazal beYisroel”, the alignments of the blessing asks Hashem to promote the inherent equally content, for it was still serving the true stars and the heavenly bodies have no potential of that which is blessed. What would Ruler of the heavens. Its very name, shemesh, influence on Israel. Yet, every twenty-eight give Bnei Yisroel such power over the sun, the reflects this attitude of service. years, we, Bnei Yisroel, can influence the sun emissary of Esav? It is that which gives us Along the same lines, we must learn that we and help bring down the blessings Hashem power over Esav at any time, our power of are required to begin whatever task Hashem has imbued it with. Every twenty-eight years speech, our use of Torah learning to do has set out for us. We cannot know whether or the sun realigns itself in the exact position it mitzvoth and pray. Because when we live our not we will actually complete the task; that is at was in at creation, and we offer Hashem a lives in this way, we possess the true light; “For the sole discretion of Hakodosh boruch Hu. blessing to thank Him for this gift. At this a mitzvah is a candle and the Torah is light.” Just as the sun rises each morning to shine, moment, our blessings empower the sun so Hashem compares those who love Him to the even on cloudy days when its rays may not that all the earth can receive its light and its sun in its strength. We are asked to internalize reach the earth, so too must we begin each warmth, and the moon can reflect its glory at the lessons of the sun every day, for Hashem task with hope and understand that its comple- night. “in His goodness renews daily, perpetually, the tion is the sole provenance of the Ribono shel The sun does not seem to play an important role in work of creation.” We should certainly internal- olam. Let the sun shine not only on us, but also Judaism. Indeed, our first mitzvah in the Torah ize these lessons as we begin each new for us, as it did for Jacob on his journey. The is the blessing of the new moon. As a result, all twenty-eight year cycle. What are some of possibility of failure must not prevent us from our holidays are based on the moon and its these lessons? starting. cycles. We are told, therefore, that we were One answer can be found in a medrash on The sun shines on us each day and causes us given the moon as our inheritance while Esav creation. When the two heavenly luminaries to cast a shadow. Do we remain true to our was given the sun. It seems strange that while were first created, the moon complained that essence or does our shadow become our the whole world benefits from the sun, we there could be no two kings ruling one sphere. reality? In the early morning hours, when both seem only to be able to reflect its light. Hashem agreed with the moon and told it to sun and moon are visible, will be egotistical as This appears to be the reality of the Diaspora, diminish itself. How does this prove anything the moon, or will we understand our purpose for here we rely on the benevolence of the about the sun? Logically, the sun could have as the sun? nations. Nevertheless, if the nations would not defended itself immediately and argued that As we approach the third time since creation permit us to develop our light, the light of since it was created first, it was the major ruler that the sun is in its original position on erev Torah, under their aegis, soon they would of the heavens. But the sun was silent. God Pesach, a time preordained for redemption, let disappear from the world and the whole world Himself came to the sun’s defense. It is this us pray that the sun and moon will revert to would be destroyed. humility and self-abnegation to the will of their true purpose, to mark the times of our But, although the sun was given to Esav, Hashem that we are to learn from the sun. The holidays, and that the true light hidden since Hashem wanted Israel to have the ultimate sun understood that its purpose was to serve creation will again emerge as Hashem’s control over the sun and its blessings. By Hashem, nothing more and nothing less. It did Presence becomes immanent on earth once giving us the authority to bless the sun as it not complain about having to share its space again. begins its new cycle, we enable the sun to with the moon. Had Hashem made it smaller bring its goodness to the world, just as any instead of the moon, it would have been visit us online at: www.naaleh.com | for questions, suggestions, or dedication opportunities, email [email protected] 1 Dedicated in memory of Rachel Leah bat R' Chaim Tzvi Rebbetzin’s Perspective Part 4: Excerpted from Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller’s Question and Answer series on Naaleh.com Question identity would be formed by how you treated fulfillment is achieved through her husband I am a single woman enrolled in a full time customers, your level of honesty, etc., but you would and children. That is true, but in addition, there Masters degree program. I am also involved still identify yourself as a butcher. The way we learn is an identity that is unique and specific to each with a chesed organization. I find that about other people is through their speech and individual man and woman. You need to people automatically tend to identify me with actions, so if you want people to get to know develop that identity by asking yourself, who what I do and their first question usually is, you better you need to speak to them more at should I be at this moment in terms of “How is school?” How can I prevent myself length so they can develop a sense of who you Hashem’s higher will for me, how can I bring from identifying myself by what I do and how are. The need to reveal your deeper self is not light into this specific space that Hashem’s has can I gain a different perspective on my necessarily important or good. In fact, having a placed me in? Your soul can take you in many identity? secret place in your heart, an inner life that isn’t directions. Let it lead you in the right direction judged or exposed to other people, is a and let it help you fill your present moments Answer precious thing. I suppose that your real with ahavat Hashem, ahavat yisrael, and Our window into someone’s world is by what question is, who am I as a single woman? Your attachment to the Torah. they do. If you worked in a butcher shop, your education might have told you that a woman’s Shabbat Scenarios-Borer, Part IV Based on a Naaleh.com Hilchot Shabbat shiur and demonstration, by Rabbi Shimon Isaacson It’s Shabbat afternoon, and there’s a Here’s an addition to Point A: tempting bowl of fruit on the table.