Parshas Vaera January 4, 2019 A Taste of Torah Stories for the Soul Miraculously Natural A Cry from the Depths by Rabbi Nesanel Kipper During these weeks, the Torah relates in the desert, however, the myriad details Rabbi Yeshayah Bardaki (1790- the amazing miracles of the Ten Plagues of the natural world that are necessary 1862) was on a ship from Europe, and the Splitting of the Sea. Many people for a loaf of bread to be produced were headed to Eretz Yisrael, when the often think that if only they would have something they had not had a great deal ship went down near Yafo (Jaffa). the opportunity to witness such miracles, of experience with, and they thus were He held on to his son and daughter it would be quite simple to put their faith able to realize the incredible intricacy of and started swimming toward in Hashem. While that may well be the Hashem’s Creation. shore. As he swam, his strength case, the reality is that we do not witness This is the explanation of “Ani Hashem.” waned, and he realized he would open miracles of that magnitude, which When the Bnai Yisrael come from the be unable to continue holding leaves us with the question: How, indeed, desert to Eretz Yisrael, they will first then both children; if he kept going, all are we to build a proper faith in Hashem? come to the realization of “Ani Hashem,” an three would drown. He turned to Hashem tells Moshe to inform the Bnai entirely new understanding of Hashem’s his daughter and told her tearfully Yisrael that they will be taken out of greatness upon seeing the intricate beauty that he didn’t have strength to take Egypt and will be brought to Eretz Yisrael. of Hashem’s laws of nature. Hashem concludes this command by both of them ashore. As he let go of We tend to perceive nature all around us her, she began screaming, “Father! saying (Va’era 6:9), “Ani Hashem,” “I am as simply matter of fact. The miracles of G-d”. The Chasam Sofer (Rabbi Moshe You’re my only father! Please save the desert, such as the manna, cause us to me!” Her heartbreaking calls ripped Sofer; 1762-1839) wonders about this stop and be in awe of G-d. However, for strange ending – what is its meaning and the generation of the desert that lived with Reb Yeshaya’s heart and gave him a its connection to the message that the this reality, it was the transition to living surge of strength. He grabbed hold Jewish Nation will be brought to the Land in and beholding the natural world that of his daughter and made it to land of Israel? brought them to recognize “Ani Hashem.” with both children. The Chasam Sofer explains that when In the Pesach Haggadah, the author Years later, as Reb Yeshaya lay on the Bnai Yisrael went into the desert, of the Haggadah expounds upon the his deathbed, he reminded his they witnessed many miracles. One of the words “Ani Hashem” and comments, amazing miracles they experienced was daughter about the incident. “Do that when they were unable to get food, “Ani Hu vilo acher,” “I am He and there you remember when your life was Hashem sent them manna from heaven. is no other.” Rabbi Gedalia Schorr (1910- in danger, and you called out to me This was an open miracle; G-d provided 1979) explains that the term of Hu, He, and my compassion was aroused? food from heaven supernaturally. connotes G-d in a state of hiddenness. My daughter, whenever you’re in However, the generation that was born in Sometimes we don’t see G-d’s Hand a difficult situation, call out to the desert grew up with this reality that clearly. Sometimes we don’t understand Hashem. ‘Father! You’re my only food comes down from the sky; though G-d’s ways. Additionally, the world itself father! Please save me!’ and you will they were familiar with the concept of with its laws of nature tends to hide G-d’s be answered. I am a human being; growing food from the earth, it certainly presence. However, the term of Ani, I, connotes G-d when He is perceived clearly my compassion and my strength are was not a fact of life to which they were limited, but I couldn’t refuse your accustomed. Upon arriving in Eretz within the confines of this world. “Ani Hu,” “I am He,” can thus be understood cries. Certainly then, when you call Yisrael, they suddenly shifted to a world out to our Father in Heaven, whose where food is produced through plowing, that although Hashem may seem to be planting, and harvesting, and the many hidden - Hu - and it is difficult at first compassion and whose abilities are specifics this process entails. The “natural” glance to detect His Divine oversight of limitless, you will be saved.” way that food is produced by the earth is Creation, nonetheless, the very same In this week’s parsha, Hashem incredibly complex and wondrous. To – vilo acher, and no other - G-d can be tells Moshe that He will redeem the average person, it is not astounding, revealed through the natural world, if one the Jewish People because He has as it is part and parcel of life, and one takes the time to be amazed by what He heard their cries. A sincere cry to is accustomed to food growing from the has created. Heaven is never ignored. ground. To the generation that grew up With this we can better understand the continued on back Kollel Happenings Increase Your Jewish IQ By Rabbi Yaakov Zions SAVE THE DATE FOR WINTER Last week we asked: What is the blessings. If one said them, the prayer is GARDENS - WOMEN’S NIGHT maximum number of blessings possible completely valid, assuming the Shabbos OUT in a legitimate Shabbos Shemone Esrei? blessing was recited as well. Thus, a An event you don’t want to A: 20! The halacha is that if one began Shabbos Shemone Esrei comprising of miss! The Kollel Women’s reciting one of the middle blessings the regular nineteen blessings (if one Division will hold its annual of the weekday Shemone Esrei (the 13 remembered only during, or after, the Winter Gardens - Women’s blessings of supplications) on Shabbos, final middle-blessing of Shema Koleinu) Night Out on Tuesday, January he concludes that blessing before and the additional Shabbos blessing is 8, 2019. Featuring Mrs. Leah reverting back to the middle Shabbos halachically legitimate. Rubashkin, who will share blessing. The reason is that the weekday Source: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim her personal story of faith, blessings are not incorrect for Shabbos; 268:2 and Mishna Berura 268:2 endurance and resilience their omission is only due to the honor This week’s question: What unique during 8 years of trials and of Shabbos. One’s restfulness on distinction does the Hebrew month of tribulations. Shabbos may be diminished by focusing Shevat carry? on his physical wants and needs, which To submit an answer to Rabbi Zions, email [email protected]. BUILD YOUR LEGACY AND comprise the basis of these middle SECURE THE FUTURE OF TORAH WITH LIVE ON/LIFE & LEGACY Lives of Our Torah Leaders The Kollel is is one of 28 local Rabbi Moshe Sofer, Chasam Sofer Part XXVII organizations selected to After about two years, Rabbi Sofer Yeshivas Chasam Sofer. As its name be part of Rose Community returned to Pressburg. In 1881, Rabbi suggests, its outlook was predicated Foundation’s Live On/LIFE Sofer was appointed chief rabbi of Erlau, upon the worldview of Rabbi Sofer’s & LEGACY program, which also known by its German name, Eger. illustrious father and grandfather, the He founded a yeshiva there, calling it Ksav Sofer and Chasam Sofer, respectively. focuses on creating financial stability for the future through planned giving. Think it’s not A Taste of Torah for you? Think again! Anyone continued from front can make a planned gift, no aforementioned words of the Chasam a great thing that such a miracle happened matter the amount. Visit Sofer. Until their point of entry into Eretz to this man, while another opinion www.denverkollel.org, email Yisrael, the Jewish People did not have a maintains that this man is considered [email protected] or full appreciation of Ani, the revelation of inferior, as G-d needed to change nature call 303-820-2855 for more Hashem, until they had the opportunity for him, rather than provide for him information. to behold the wondrous natural world through natural means. Rabbi Eliyahu and perceive Hashem within that natural Dessler (1892-1953) explains that although LEARN 2 LEARN world. when someone sees an open miracle, he becomes strengthened in his faith, this You have long dreamed of Although we live in a time of hester panim, hiddenness, when it is challenging to inspiration has come without personal acquiring the tools to achieve see the Hand of G-d, it is nevertheless effort. What G-d ultimately wants is that proficiency in learning possible, with just a little introspection, one should perceive and recognize Him Gemara on your own. But to realize how He is involved in our lives, through nature, even though His presence how? The Denver Community and it is he who ultimately runs the world. is not so obvious. The man whom nature Kollel offers a comprehensive, In fact, it is our task to come to this was changed lost his ability to grow in his step-by-step, level-by-level realization. The Talmud (Shabbos 53b) faith through his own efforts, for he had program crafted for people relates a story of a man who was left alone encountered a miraculous event which just like you. All you need is to raise a newborn child. The man did not took away that need. the ability to read Hebrew; have enough money to hire a wet nurse to This, then, is our mission, to perceive we will teach you the rest. For feed the child. A miracle occurred and he Hashem in everyday life and close the gap more information, contact developed the ability to personally feed the between the supernatural and natural, to [email protected]. child. There is a dispute regarding how to recognize that “Ani Hu vilo acher.” view this miracle. One opinion considers it The Torah Weekly is made possible through a generous grant from the Harry H. Beren Foundation of Lakewood, NJ, in memory of Harry H. Beren, z”l Denver Community Kollel 1395 Wolff Street, Denver, CO 80204 303-820-2855 [email protected] www.denverkollel.org To receive Torah Weekly by email, email to [email protected]