Beshalach Artscroll P.366 | Haftarah P.1152 Hertz P.265 | Haftarah P.281 Soncino P.407 | Haftarah P.434 Shabbat Shira
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
19 January 2019 13 Shevat 5779 Shabbat ends London 5.19pm Jerusalem 5.40pm Volume 31 No. 20 Beshalach Artscroll p.366 | Haftarah p.1152 Hertz p.265 | Haftarah p.281 Soncino p.407 | Haftarah p.434 Shabbat Shira. Shabbat Neshama. Tu Bishvat is Monday. In loving memory of Yehuda ben Yaakov HaCohen “Moshe stretched out his hand over the sea, and God moved the sea with a strong east wind all the night, and He turned the sea to dry land and the water split” (Shemot 14:21). 1 Sidrah Summary: Beshalach 1st Aliya (Kohen) – Shemot 13:17-14:8 Question : Which nations are referred to in the After Pharaoh sends the Israelites out of Egypt, Song at the Sea as being terrified by news of the God does not lead them on a straight path miracle? (15:15) Answer on bottom of page 6 . through the land of the Pelishtim (Philistines) towards Cana’an (later Israel), but rather towards 5th Aliya (Chamishi) – 15:27-16:10 the Sea of Reeds. Moshe is carrying Yosef’s The Israelites arrive in the Sin Desert and bones, as Yosef had requested before his death complain to Moshe that they are hungry. God (see Bereishit 50:25). A pillar of cloud guides the tells Moshe that he will send down a daily portion Israelites by day, and a pillar of fire lights up their of ‘bread’ from the heavens. Moshe tells the journey at night. God tells Moshe to turn back in people they will also get meat in the evening. the direction of Egypt. God hardens the heart of 6th Aliya (Shishi) – 16:11-36 Pharaoh, who pursues the Israelites with his The heavenly bread – called ‘ man ’ (manna) – falls armed chariots. between two layers of dew (Rashi). Each 2nd Aliya (Levi) – 14:9-14 household gets a daily portion sufficient for The Egyptians catch up with the Israelites, its members. Moshe tells them not to leave any who are encamped by the Sea. Seeing the over until the next day. Some people ignore approaching army, the people cry out in this warning; their manna becomes infested. prayer, and also ask Moshe why they left Egypt A double portion falls on Friday. Moshe tells them only to die in the desert. Moshe tells them to use the excess for Shabbat and not to go out not to fear; they will experience God’s salvation. to collect any manna on Shabbat. Again, some ignore this instruction. Moshe tells Aharon to 3rd Aliya (Shlishi) – 14:15-25 preserve some manna in a container, as a Moshe raises his staff; an easterly wind blows reminder to future generations. and the Sea splits. The Israelites walk through the dry channel, the water providing a wall on 7th Aliya (Shevi’i) – 17:1-16 either side of them. The Egyptians enter the Sea The Israelites travel to Refidim, but again do not but struggle to move forward. find water. God tells Moshe to strike a rock with his staff; water emerges from the rock. Amalek Point to Consider : Why did God move the sea attacks the Israelites at Refidim. Yehoshua with a “strong easterly wind”? (14:21) (Joshua) leads the battle against them, whilst Moshe, Aharon and Chur (Moshe’s nephew) 4th Aliya (Revi’i) – 14:26-15:26 ascend a nearby hill. Whenever Moshe raises his Moshe raises his staff; the Sea closes on the arms, Israel overcomes Amalek. Aharon and Egyptians, drowning them. The Israelites see the Chur support Moshe’s tired arms. Yehoshua is drowned Egyptians on the seashore. Together victorious. with Moshe, they sing the Song at the Sea ( Shirat HaYam ) which celebrates God’s miraculous Haftarah salvation. The nation travels on, experiencing Devorah was a prophetess and a judge. The three days in the desert without water. They haftarah, from the Book of Judges, includes the come to a place called Marah, where the water song that Devorah sang to celebrate the defeat is too bitter to drink. They complain to Moshe, of the evil Ca'ananite general, Sisera. This defeat who is shown a tree by God. Moshe throws the was facilitated by the bravery of Yael, who tree into the water, thus sweetening it. attacked and killed Sisera with a tent-peg. Unit ed S ynagogue Daf Hasha vua Pr oduc ed by US Living & Learning toge ther with the Rabbinical Council of the United Synagogue Edito r: Rabbi Chaim Gr oss Edito r- in-Chief: Rabbi Baruch Davis Editorial T eam: Ra bbi Daniel Sturgess, Rabbi Michael Laitner, S haron Radley Available also via email US website www.theus.org.uk ©United Synagogue To sponsor Daf Hashavua ple ase contact Danielle Fox on 020 8343 6261 , o r [email protected] .uk If you have any comments or questions regarding Daf Hashavua please email [email protected] .uk 2 Miriam the Prophetess by Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis It is perhaps one of the most But what about the drums? puzzling verses of the Torah: The Midrash (Mechilta) explains that the Israelite After the miracle of the women brought them out of Egypt. In the midst parting of the Sea of Reeds, of their most fearful flight to freedom, they were we are told: “Miriam, the planning to celebrate upon their redemption! Prophetess, the sister of Aharon, took a drum in her hand; and all the In the late 1950s, Israel was hit by a prolonged, women went out after her with drums and with serious drought. Many thousands of people dances” (Shemot 15:20). gathered in Kikar Shabbat in Jerusalem to pray for rain. During the recitation of Tehillim (Psalms), Firstly, why is Miriam described as a prophetess? clouds unexpectedly appeared in the sky above There is no reference to her prophesying and, by the end of the event, rain fell. An elderly anywhere in the Torah. Admor (Chassidic Rebbe), who had been brought in a wheelchair, opened an umbrella Secondly, Miriam was the sister of Moshe, which was on his lap. Astonished onlookers the greatest of all of our leaders. Why does the enquired, “How come are you the only person Torah describe her here as the sister of Aharon here with an umbrella?” He replied, “We came to alone? daven for rain, so I brought my umbrella”. And thirdly, where did all the drums come from? This was the type of emunah (deep-rooted faith) that the Israelite women had when they left Egypt. Similarly, throughout history, Jewish The Midrash describes the historical background women have been an extraordinary source of to our passage. When Pharaoh issued his evil inspiration. decree to cast all baby boys into the waters of the Nile, Amram and Yocheved separated. They felt it would be irresponsible for them to I am delighted that on this Shabbat Neshama, bring another child into the world when there was thanks to the talks being given by women in a 50% possibility that the child would perish. communities right across the UK, many Their daughter, Miriam, who was only a young girl thousands of people are benefitting from such at the time, pleaded with her parents: “While inspiration. there is, indeed, a possibility for tragedy, with the help of God we will surely overcome it”. With prophetic insight, she predicted that the child born to them would survive and be an inspiration to his people. Moved by their daughter’s words, Amram and Yocheved remarried and a year later Moshe was born. This significant Divine insight earned Miriam the title of prophetess. It took place while Aharon was alive, but before Moshe was born. Hence, the reference to her being “sister of Aharon”. In memory of Harav Yitzchak Yoel ben Shlomo Halevi 3 The Happiest Places on Earth by Rebbetzin Abi Kurzer, Assistant Rebbetzen Edgware United Synagogue, Ma’ayan If you have ever been on a (Mishlei 21:9): “One who has a good eye will be long car journey with young blessed” – having a positive attitude will enable children, even if it is a them to see the blessings in their lives. journey to the most exciting of destinations, you may have experienced the The slogan for Disneyland is: “The happiest descent into complaining: place on Earth”. Disneyland call each of its “it’s too hot”, “I’m hungry”, 60,000 employees “cast members”. From the “so-and-so is bothering me” and “are we nearly CEO to the people who clean the park when there yet?!” everyone has gone home, all the employees are reminded to think: “I project a positive image and energy. I am courteous and respectful to In parashat Beshalach, the Israelites have just all guests including children. I go above and been on the most miraculous journey – the ten beyond”. The message is that no matter what plagues, the splitting of the Sea which they their role in the park, everyone is responsible for ‘walked through’ on dry land and the final defeat spreading smiles. of the Egyptians and. And yet, by the end of the parasha, the Torah describes their complaining: “what are we going to eat and drink? Why did So too, in our shuls, communities and personal you take us to the desert to die?” (Shemot 16:3; lives, we can strive to spread smiles and project 17:3) Soon afterwards, they came to a place positivity by looking at things with a good eye, called Marah, which had water, but which was instead of being critical and complaining. (seemingly) too bitter to drink. In doing so, we demonstrate that we can rectify the mistake of the Israelites who at times complained bitterly.