PARSHAS | 13 SHEVAT 5769 | 7 FEBRUARY 2009

Parsha Perspectives LEIBY BURNHAM subjugating the Jews, they would no longer be .like one person והנה מצרים נסע אחריהם This difference is something we see playing itself out in world politics today. The nations of And behold Egypt was traveling after them! (Exodus 14:10) the world are not unified. There is plenty of squabbling, fighting, and anger between them. Yet somehow, when it comes to criticizing the n this week’s parsha, the exodus story culminates with the splitting of the Reed Jews and our tiny Jewish country, they all Sea, the Jews walking through safely, and the Egyptians drowning. However, unite. Cries come forth from every major capi- tal, the UN passes almost unanimous resolu- this only happened after a terrifying ordeal that the Jewish people endured. tions against Israel, and even America issues I statements condemning our “excessive force.” Before the sea split, the Jews found themselves running from the Egyptians who were When they are with one heart, it almost seems chasing them with all their military might. like they have the unity of “one person.” How- ever, as soon as the focus is lifted from Israel, Noting that the verse above describes the Rabbi Hutner answers that there was a funda- the world reverts to its regular disunity. The Egyptians in the singular tense (“Egypt”) in- mental difference between the unity of the Shi’ites kill the Sunnis, Russia cuts off natural stead of the plural (“the Egyptians”), Rashi Jewish people and the Egyptians. The Jewish resources from half of Europe, North Korea comments that the Egyptians were pursuing people are intrinsically unified as one. It is as if makes aggressive moves on South Korea, and the Jews “With one heart, like one person.” the entire Jewish people are one big human genocide continues unfettered in Africa. This comment is interesting because Rashi being, in which each person is a different part makes almost the same exact comment in of that organism. Since we are all one, it goes As Jews, we truly remain “Like one person next week’s parsha, when the describes without saying that our desires should be one, with one heart.” Not only in times of crisis or the Jewish people camping at the foot of Mt in just the same way that my left hand wants shared interest do we unite, but we remain Sinai. There too, the Torah used the singular the same things as my right hand, my kidney, united at all times. There is a constant flow of tense to describe the Jewish people, “and or heart wants. Because of this, the primary support from the Diaspora to Israel. There are Israel encamped there opposite the mountain. connection is that we are “Like one person.” countless organizations looking to help any (Exodus 19:2).” On that verse Rashi describes What happens to follow that is that we all have Jew in need, no matter their affiliation, race, the powerful unity the Jews felt as they were one heart, we all want the same thing. country of origin, or economic strata. Partners about to receive the Torah, that they were in Torah is a perfect example of this, an or- This was not the case with regard to the Egyp- “Like one person with one heart.” ganization whose sole goal is to unite Jews tians. They were intrinsically a collection of from all over the world in furthering our Jewish Rabbi Yitzchak Hutner of blessed memory individual people, who were not truly unified. identity and Jewish knowledge. So let us con- (1906-1980, Warsaw- NYC), the founder of It so happened that when they wanted to get tinue to follow the praise of Rashi, and always one of the largest American , Yeshivas their Jewish slaves back, they were able to look at ourselves as a nation, “Like one person Rabbi Chaim Berlin, asks why Rashi reverses unite, but it was not representative of who with one heart!” the order in describing the two phenomena. they were. For that reason Rashi described With regard to the Egyptians, Rashi notes that them as “With one heart, like one person.” In they were “With one heart, like one person,” this particular scenario, they had one heart; Rabbi Burnham can be reached at whereas with regard to the Jews at Mt. Sinai, they all wanted to force the Jewish people [email protected] the description is “Like one person with one back. As a result, they were able to act as one heart?” person. The moment they would have finished Please pray for a full and speedy recovery for Bracha Elisheva bas Chana Kayla & Bracha Chaya Miriam bas Hensha Ralya BESHALACH RABBI ELAZAR MEISELS Talking Points 1. IT’S A NO-GO which had been fixed for them to go and to The level of Divine Revelation experienced by “And it was when Pharaoh sent the people return and they saw that they were not even the common Jew at the time of the returning to Egypt, they came on the fourth parting of the Sea was so great, that, as out, and G-d did not lead them along the Phil- day and told Pharaoh. On the fifth and Mechilta explains, the verse equates the Jew- istine route, although it was the shorter sixth days they pursued them, and on the ish people with Moses, the greatest of proph- route...” 13:17 night of the seventh they went down into ets, and Moses with the Jewish people. Yet, the sea. In the morning they chanted the following the Revelation, Moses ascended to And it was – Anytime the Torah says, Song of Praise and that day was the sev- ever greater heights, whereas the Jewish ‘Vayechi’ – and it was, it connotes hardship. enth day of Passover. It is for this reason people leveled off and at times, even de- – , Tractate Megillah 10b that we read the Torah portion containing scended into complaints and insubordination. And it was – Why did the Torah use the the Song of Praise on the seventh day of This, explains Rabbi Boruch Sorotzkin (of word, “Vayechi” to describe what could only Passover. – Rashi blessed memory), was because the people have been a wonderfully joyous moment? This verse refers to Pharaoh first as the king hadn’t ascended in the normal manner, be- The key to this lies in the next words of the of Egypt and separately by his name. Why the ginning at the bottom and methodically mak- verse, “when Pharaoh sent the people out.” inconsistency, something often found in re- ing their way to the top. Instead, via the Ten For whatever reason, the Almighty chose gard to Pharaoh? Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, Plagues and a variety of other miracles, they not to release the Jewish people without shlit”a, opines that perhaps the key factor is suddenly were lifted to heights previously Pharaoh’s consent. This caused a problem whether Pharaoh was acting on behalf of his unimaginable. Thrilling as it was for the mo- in that Pharaoh now believed that since he nation, or for his own selfish purposes. When ment, it was unsustainable since they’d never was the one who granted us permission he referring to his “hardened heart,” the name learned what it really takes to achieve such was free to rescind it at will. This false im- used is usually Pharaoh, since his behavior greatness. Moses, on the other hand, grew pression is what caused our problems with not in leaps and bounds, but slowly and him later when he decided to order the was motivated purely out of selfishness and obnoxiousness, not for the good of his na- surely over a period of eighty years before he Jews to return. – HaChaim (Rabbi stood before the burning bush to converse Chaim ibn Attar, 1696-1743) tion. When instructing the midwives to com- mit infanticide, the Torah refers to him as with the Almighty. The parting of the sea was Rabbi Tzaddok HaKohen offers an alternative king of Egypt, because in that instance he for him, not an anomaly, but another step in view of the problem. The Ten Plagues were was acting out what he believed was the his methodical pursuit of greatness. Thus, its supposed to implant within the hearts and good of his nation. In this verse, the spies effect lasted forever and he continued to minds of the Jewish people that the Almighty reported to him as official emissaries of the build upon it in the days that followed. is in charge of their destiny, and inculcate king of Egypt, but he selfishly decided to act within them a burning desire for the exodus. in his own self-interest and lead his nation in Rabbi Meisels can be reached at Instead, the people found themselves so pursuit, knowing full well that it was nothing [email protected] attached to Egyptian culture that they weren’t short of hazardous to do so. Thus, it begins terribly interested in actually leaving once the by referring to him as king of Egypt and con- enslavement ended. They only left because tinues by calling him by the name Pharaoh. This page is dedicated to and written for the “Pharaoh sent the people out.” This lack of 6,500 Partners in Torah mentors. We welcome enthusiasm was a foreboding of many of the you to join their ranks by calling 800-STUDY-4-2. Please catastrophes that would occur later as a result 3. UNSUSTAINABLE EQUALITY send your comments, questions, and suggestions to of their faulty attitude. “Then Moses and the Children of Israel sang [email protected] this Song of Praise to Hashem…” 15:1 Contact Info for Partners in Torah Mentor Advisors*: 2. IDENTITY CRISIS Moses and the Children of Israel – The “And it was told to the king of Egypt that the verse equates Moses to the entire nation of Rabbi Elazar Meisels people had fled. Pharaoh and his servants had Israel, and the entire Nation of Israel to 212-810-2602 (Sunday & Tuesday 8:00—11:00 pm) a change of heart regarding the people, and Moses. – Mechilta (one of four volumes of [email protected] they said, ‘What have we done? [How did] we Halachic Midrash) Rabbi Pinchos Jung A maidservant at the time of the parting of release Israel from serving us?” 14:5 845-425-6533 (leave message) the Dead Sea, experienced a Divine revela-

And it was told to the king of Egypt – He tion even greater than that experienced by *Kindly reserve use of our advisors sent spies along with them. Once they the Prophet Yechezkel ben Buzi - Mechilta reached the point of three days journey, for mentor contact WHO SIGNS YOUR PAYCHECK? RABBI REUVEN DRUCKER

knows what will happen with the next round Dear Rabbi, of cuts? However, reliance on G-d is mani- fest through tranquility of the spirit. One My company just fired half the employees in my lab in one day, which one co-worker who truly believes that his life circumstances called a “massacre.” This is just another sign of our weakening economy. I’m very con- are not a series of random events, but are cerned that although I survived this cut, I may be let go in the next round of cuts. My driven by the Divine, evidences tranquility. wife and children count on my livelihood and I’m very worried. Can you give me words The next cut of employees won’t be until the next pay period or the next quarter—so, of encouragement? today I feel what the Psalmist expresses, “The L-rd is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” Anxiously awaiting, Besides being a very important religious Stuart accomplishment, tranquility can save us from many of our fears that never materialize, and as such, can be a very important emotional Dear Stuart: origins in foolish disregard or obliviousness acquisition as well. to the facts around us, but rather emanates I feel your anxiety and pain and hope that from our trust in G-d’s beneficence. In this Tranquility notwithstanding, the Torah also your job remains secure. These turbulent week’s Torah portion, we read of the Jews requires that we make our efforts to help economic times are painful for many and we who just left Egypt and were being hotly preserve the continuity of our income and all hope that prosperity returns very quickly. pursued by Pharoah’s fiercest warriors. As livelihood. As a result, even a tranquil indi- I want to make a couple of points regarding they followed their route of escape they hit a vidual who has experienced what your co- some consequences of this world-wide eco- dead end. The impassable Sea of Reeds worker termed a massacre would be well nomic meltdown. The Talmud tells us that (often erroneously called the Red Sea) was advised to prepare a resume and search for one who dreams of a snake is assured of in front of them, which was a barrier to their work with another company. But as we sufficient livelihood, for the original snake forward progress. Moses halted and fer- know, there is no more guarantee with the which tempted Eve was told that he would vently prayed to G-d for salvation, when he next company than with the one where we forever more crawl on his belly and eat the was met with the surprising Divine response, are presently employed. Our only true guar- dust of the earth. Since the dust of the earth “Why are you imploring Me—tell the Jews antee is with our Guarantor. is always available and in abundant supply, that they should continue on their way.” May we all grow and prosper through these the snake will never suffer difficulties meet- Many wonder why G-d was displeased with difficult times, ing its needs for food. One of our commen- Moses’ prayer. After all, he was the leader of tators wonders, then, why this statement to the people who found themselves in mortal Rabbi Reuven Drucker the snake was termed a curse by the Torah, danger and were frightened. Isn’t that pre- Rabbi Drucker can be reached at when it appears to be a tremendous bless- cisely the time to implore G-d’s mercy? An [email protected] ing. He explains that a snake’s easy access answer given by the Ba’alei Mussar (those to food is indeed a curse, not a blessing, for who focus on developing a Torah character) someone who is never put in a position to is that G-d was displeased with Moses’ LOOK WHO MADE PARTNER… think about the Source of all sustenance is prayer, because its desperate tone was pre- cursed. Only when we are concerned if we mature. There were still several more yards RECENT SAMPLING OF PEOPLE WHO’VE JOINED IN AS PARTNERS: will have sufficient provisions will we be of ground between the feet of the Jews and motivated to turn our attention to G-d, Who the waters of the Sea. Such an impassioned AIDA FASTAG-CARVAJAL , BROOKLYN, NY bestows His bounty upon us. Unfortunately, prayer was out of line when the Jews did not LEEBA BRISK , LAKEWOOD, NJ in times of prosperity, it is easy to forget yet reach the true point of desperation. Until KADY BUCHANAN , SOMERVILLE, MA about the true Source of our blessing. Per- that time, Moses, together with the rest of ALEXANDER GUTH , BROOKLYN, NY haps one lesson we should draw from these the people, should have felt tranquility, since STANLEY MARKS , MARGAGE, FL HOPE VANDERVORT-KULISH , JACKSONVILLE, FL trying times is a renewed awareness of G-d’s they still had several yards to go before they DAVID LEONE , NASHVILLE, TN Hand in our lives. were justified in feeling desperation. ASHLEY ROSE , HAINES FALLS, NY The next point deals with an important state The parallel in our times is that it is human of mind we learn about from the Torah — nature to worry about the future, even when Making Partner has never been this easy! tranquility. Tranquility does not have its the future is still somewhat distant. Who Soul Talk Rabbi Yonasan Eibeshitz, in his Ahavas Yona- ing done teshuvah (repentance), it was the san, contrasts the Torah’s words (Shemos power of Devorah’s righteousness and stirring I will sing to Hashem (that words that had motivated them to do so. She , ִ אָשׁירָה לַה' :(TABLE TALK 15:1 was the righteous woman of that generation, FOR DISCUSSION AROUND THE SHABBOS TABLE describe Moses and the men singing the .for whom Hashem prepared the salvation ִ שׁירוּ (shirah, or song), and the words (v. 21 Let us sing to Hashem (that describe That is why the shirah in this week’s Haftarah ,לַה' OZER ALPORT Devorah ,וַתָּשַׁר ְ דּבוֹרָה Miriam and the women singing shirah). He begins with the words asks: Why is the singing of Moses and the sang. The Talmud (Pesachim 118a) men stated in the singular, while the singing teaches that providing a per- Furthermore, the miracle of winning the battle ) of Miriam and the women is stated in the is contrasted with the death of Sisera at the son with his parnassah א plural? hands of Yael. From a military standpoint, the (sustenance) is as difficult as He explains that only a person who exhibits Canaanites should have won, for they were splitting the Reed Sea. In what way complete belief and trust in Hashem is able to armed with 900 chariots in addition to their are the two comparable? sing shirah. The Talmud states that the re- massed archers and infantry; the 10,000 Jews demption from Egypt came in the merit of the should not have had a chance. Yet, the victory

righteous women of that generation, who had was so complete that the sole survivor of the exhibited complete trust in Hashem. As such, devastation was the general Sisera. Everyone the singing of the women is described in the else was killed fleeing the forces of Barak and Why didn’t the Jewish people plural rather than the singular, because all of Israel. Yet, the completion of the victory, the ) sing a song of praise to them deserved to sing shirah, not just Miriam. death of Sisera, was accomplished by Yael, a Hashem immediately upon On the other hand, the men had not exhibited single righteous woman. [Malbim points out ב exiting Egypt instead of waiting to do complete belief and trust in Hashem, and that Yael exhibited exceptional courage and attention to halachic detail when she chose to so at the Sea of Reeds, sometimes were less deserving of being saved from Egypt. Following the splitting of the sea, kill Sisera with a tent stake. Once Sisera had referred to as the Red Sea? Moses, whose trust in Hashem was absolute, fallen asleep, Yael could easily have taken his (Chanukas HaTorah by Rabbi Avro- burst forth in shirah; however, the men were sword and killed him, but she considered the hom Yehoshua Heschel) not equally worthy of singing shirah on their sword to be a uniquely male accessory, and own, and as such could only follow Moses’s therefore forbidden for her to use under the

lead. That is why the Torah describes their prohibition forbidding women to use male Ozer Alport can be reached at singing using the singular form rather than the clothing or accessories. Thus, she chose an [email protected] plural. unconventional weapon, the tent stake, and drove it through Sisera’s skull. This too was a Rabbi Yonasan Eibeshitz says further that the display of complete faith in Hashem and His same was true when Devorah sang shirah Torah, deserving of being immortalized in following the miraculous victory against the Devorah’s shirah.] forces of Yavin and Sisera. Although the victory was predicated on the Children of Israel hav- With permission from Artscroll’s Daily Dose

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