Page Zero of Tidbits 793 zyxt e"dl y z n a Lead Tidbit cont. from front page e y z 793 p'sukim instead, we might not feel the inseparable nature of these two components as strongly. Dec. 28•29, '07 • g"qyz zah 'k The many references in the Torah to our Egyptian experience and in G•d's This is the 108th day (of 383), 16th Shabbat (of 55) of 5768 taking us out of , and the links between many mitzvot and Y'tzi'at Mitzrayim, all serve to convey that G•d's taking us out of Egypt was not g:b zeny ...da¨¨ ½ g§xE Æd¨aFh ux ¤`Îl¤ ³¤ ` `e¦¼ d©d u¤x`¨ ´¨dÎo¦n »Fzrl£r«©d§l«E... just an event among many, nor even just an event of the highest significance • it is more. As the first of the Aseret HaDibrot states, Y'tzi'at Mitzrayim is a definition of G•d. It is also a definition of the Jewish People. G•d's Plan for the Jewish People We exist as a nation because G•d took us out of Egypt and entered into an We've written about G•d's Plan every so often, and we're doing it again. eternal relationship with us. We need to review this Plan over and over again, so that we are clear as to And Sh'mot 3:8 makes Eretz Yisrael an integral part of the equation. We what G•d wants of us. He had already presented the Plan to the Avot and are a nation because G•d took us out of Egypt in order to bring us to Eretz we see it a few times in the Book of B'reishit. Now, as we begin the Book Yisrael. of Sh'mot, we see its first presentation to the People of • not as a small family but as a great soon•to•be nation. A few p'sukim later, G•d tells Moshe that The SIGN that He truly is sending Moshe is tending 's sheep and he sees a wonderous sight • an angel Moshe into Egypt to facilitate the events, so to speak, is that on our way appears to him from inside a bush that is burning but not being consumed. out of Egypt, we will "serve G•d on this mountain". defines serving When Moshe approaches to see this wonder, G•d calls to him. G•d G•d on this mountain as receiving the Torah on this mountain (Chorev, introduces Himself to Moshe, so to speak, as the G•d of Avraham, Yitzchak, Sinai). and Yaakov. G•d tells Moshe that He has "seen" (taken note of?) the plight And here then are the three components of G•d's Plan. To take us out of of the people and has heard and "understood" their screams. This has Egypt in order to give us the Torah in order to bring us to Eretz Yisrael in been a rendering of the first seven p'sukim of Sh'mot 3. Next comes 3:8, a our for us to live a Torah Life in Eretz Yisrael. very significant pasuk (among 5845 other significant p'sukim). G•d says: Anything less than that, and we are not following G•d's Plan. Our goal "And I will go down (in to Egypt) to then, is to do our share in the full implementation of His Plan. save him (My nation) from the hand of Egypt and to bring him (the cont. from p.2 Nation) up from that land (Egypt) to WORD of the MONTH Correct for TT 793 • Rabbeinu Tam (J'm) 6:01pm A weekly TT feature to help clarify practical and conceptual aspects of the Jewish Calendar, a good and spacious land, a land 4:08 Yerushalayim 5:24pm flowing with milk and honey... thereby enhancing our appreciation of G•d's gift to us of HaChodesh HaZeh Lachem... 4:23 Gush Etzion 5:24pm What is singularly powerful about Most of our Calendar has the neat LO ADU ROSH feature, meaning that 4:23 Raanana 5:25pm this two•prong plan is that the two each date has three days of the week it cannot fall on, four days it can with 4:23 Beit Shemesh 5:25pm parts are presented in the same three of relatively equal frequency and the fourth less than half as often as 4:24 Rehovot 5:25pm 4:22 Netanya 5:24pm pasuk. One gets the feeling that had the other three. Most of the calendar. Because of the variability of 4:23 Be'er Sheva 5:27pm they been in two consecutive cont. p.0 Cheshvan and Kislev, the "3 no, 3+1 yes" does not hold for Kislev, Tevet 4:23 Modi'in 5:25pm or Shvat. One or two Adars puts the calendar back on track come the Adar 4:08 Petach Tikva 5:25pm right before Nisan. The 29 days of Tevet and the 30 days of Shvat are a 4:08 Maale Adumim 5:24pm DESSERT ONEG SHABBAT 59•day period with its own "rule". E.g. 1 Tevet • which is sometimes the 4:21 Ginot Shomron 5:24pm for singles in their 30s & 40s 6th candle and sometimes the 7th • can be SUN (27.9%), MON (3.7%), 4:22 Beit El 5:24pm Leil Shabbat Parshat Sh'mot TUE (18.1%), WED (20.1%), FRI (29.9%), never on THU or Shabbat. So 4:23 K4 & Hevron 5:25pm too for 8,15,22,29 Tevet and 7,14,21,28 Shvat. The other dates follow suit 4:22 Giv'at Ze'ev 5:24pm Fri. December 28th, 8:30pm • e.g. Rosh Chodesh Shvat & TU biShvat: not on FRI or SUN. 4:08 Tzfat 5:21pm at the Israel Center e 0 A e 1 A even (or especially) under the STATS oppression of Egypt, as described in Sh'mot the p'sukim. Ranges are 10 days, WED•FRI 13th of the 54 sedras; 1st of 11 in Sh'mot 17•26 Tevet • Dec. 26 • Jan. 4 The opening words of the Written on 215.2 lines in a Torah; rank: 18th sedra/book of Shmot • Earliest Talit & T'filin 5:43•5:45am V'EILEH SH'MOT • form the 7 parshiot; 6 open, 1 closed Sunrise 6:38•6:40am initial letters ofmipy cenll mc` aiige Sof Z'man K' Sh'ma 9:08•9:11am 124 p'sukim • 15th (tied with ) mebxz cg`e `xwn (V'chayav (Magen Avraham: 8:20•8:24am) (2nd in Shmot) Lilmod Sh'nayim Mikra V'echad Targum) Sof Z'man T'fila 9:58•10:02am 1763 words • 14th (Emor is 22nd) (2nd in • And a person is obligated to review the (Magen Avraham: 9:26•9:30am) Shmot) Torah text twice and another time in Chatzot 11:39½•11:44am translation. Baal HaTurim extends this (halachic noon) 6762 letters • 16th (Emor is 23rd) (2nd in acronym to the next two words. His whole Mincha Gedola 12:10•12:14pm Shmot) statement is: "One who learns the sedra (earliest Mincha) Its p'sukim are above average in length 2+1, singing it pleasantly, shall merit Plag Mincha 3:39•3:44½pm (number of words and letters) Emor was in long life." Sunset 4:46•4:53pm (based on sea level: 4:41•4:47pm) for comparison • look at the differences in rank The final letters of the opening words (sofei teivot) 17 Tevet yahrzeit MITZVOT rearrange to spell the word of the Dubiner T'HILIM. When the People of Israel are Magid • R' Yaakov b. Zeev Krantz zt"l None of the Torah's 613 mitzvot are in Sh'mot in trouble (a play•on•words on Egypt • 5565 (1805) 18 Tevet • 167th yahrzeit MITZRAYIM • MEITZARIM), they shall of the Bnei Yisaschar use T'hilim to help them focus their 20 Tevet • 803rd yahrzeit Aliya•by•Aliya of the RAMBAM p.0 prayers to G•d, thereby meriting Sedra Summary redemption. Orthodox Union OU ISRAEL Our first exile was OU Kashrut • NCSY • Jewish Action Seymour J. Abrams • Orthodox Union • Jerusalem World Center [P> X:Y (Z)] and [S> X:Y (Z)] indicate associated with the number NJCD / Yachad / Our Way • Kharkov OU Israel Center programs • Makom BaLev • Lev Yehudi start of a parsha p’tucha or s’tuma Synagogue Support Services • IPA OU Pearl & Harold M. Jacobs ZULA Center • Machon Maayan respectively. X:Y is Perek:Pasuk of the 70, the number associated OURadio.org • Young Leadership NESTO • Beit Kharkov • OU Israel Communities Project Areivim • OU West Coast beginning of the parsha; (Z) is with the the members of Yaakov's family who OU Kashrut in Israel... number of p'sukim in the parsha. Stephen Savitsky, President, Orthodox Union went down to Egypt. The exile following Harvey Blitz, Chairman of the Board, Orthodox Union Yitzchak Fund, President, OU Israel the destruction of the first Beit Emanuel Quint, Senior Vice President Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, Exec. Vice President, OU HaMikdash lasted 70 years. The Edelman, Exec. Dir. Operations and Management Prof. Meni Koslowsky, Vice President Kohen • First Aliya • Rabbi Dovid Cohen, Vaad member termination of the final exile will be Headquarters: 11 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 Stuart Hershkowitz, Vaad member 212•563•4000 • website: www.ou.org 17 p'sukim • 1:1•17 associated with our dominance over, or Moshe Kempinski, Vaad member recognition and respect by the "70 Sandy Kestenbaum, Vaad member [P> 1:1 (7)] Produced, printed*, collated, and folded in•house Zvi Sand, Vaad member Sh'mot begins with the nations" of the world. Phil Chernofsky • (02) 560•9124 Harvey Wolinetz, Vaad member conjunctive VAV to link the birth of [email protected] • www.ou.org/torah/tt Rabbi Avi Berman, Director•General, OU Israel the Jewish Nation to the foundation Advertising: Ita Rochel Menachem Persoff, Director of Programs, Israel Center [email protected] • (02) 560•9125 laid by the and "Sh'vatim" Phil Chernofsky, Educational Director and TT editor TT Distribution • [email protected] • 0505•772•111 in the book of B'reishit. The sons of 22 Keren HaYesod • POB 37015 • Jerusalem 91370 OU Israel and Torah Tidbits do not endorse the political or halachic phone: (02) 560•9100 • fax: (02) 561•7432 Yaakov are lovingly enumerated once positions of its editor, columnists, or advertisers, nor guarantee the again. The starting number of "70"And Yosef and all his brothers and quality of advertised services or products. Nor do we endorse the email: [email protected] • website: www.ouisrael.org kashrut of hotels, restaurants, caterers or food products that are Torah Tidbits and many of the projects of OU Israel are souls" is repeated to impress upon us all that generation died." This pasuk advertised in TT (except, of course, those under OU•Israel hashgacha). assisted by grants from The Jewish Agency for Israel We recommend that readers check with the advertisers themselves to the tremendous growth of the people (1:6) has a g'matriya (numeric clarify kashrut and shmita details of their services and products. Founders and initial benefactors of the Israel Center: George z"l and Ilse Falk e 2 A e 3 A value) of 981. There is one otherhad carried out Par'o's orders. Their When he is no longer able to benbe . pasuk in the Torah with that same prayers were answered, and miraculously hidden (some say that Moshe was"And she called his name , for g'matriya • D'varim 4:4 • none of the babies died. Thus they are three months premature; that thefrom the water he was drawn." Pgk§¤NªM mi¬¦I©g m®¤ki¥d«rl'¡` 'd«©gA mi½w¥¦ a§C©d Æm¤Y©`§e credited, not just with assisting in the Egyptians knew when Yocheved was :mF«I©d births, but also with giving life to the due; therefore she was able to hide babies. Shlishi • Third Aliya • "And you who cling to HaShem your him only for those three months), There is a parallel idea concerning the G•d, are all alive today." This pasuk Yocheved prepares a water•proof15 p'sukim • 2:11•25 is one of the sources of the concept night of the Exodus. It is said that even basket and sets him on the river that G•d•fearing people live on after the normal deaths that might be expected under the watchful eye of his sister. It is amazing how many significant their physical death. The pasukin a large population did not occur on the events are packed into these 15 Bat•Par'o finds Moshe and sends from the beginning of Sh'mot had a night of the Exodus, lest it detract from p'sukim. Moshe goes out to see what the miraculous nature of the Night. Thus, Miriam to bring a wetnurse for the certain finality sound to it. The is happening with the Jewish People. we have then similar miracles at either crying infant who apparently will not second pasuk (its G'matriya Twin) He kills an Egyptian who was beating end of the Mitzrayim experience. nurse from an Egyptian breast. testifies that the "Shivtei Kah" live a Jew. He breaks up a fight between on. Miriam brings Yocheved, Moshe's AND THEY EMBITTERED two Jews (Datan & Aviram). They had mother, who takes Moshe until he is [P> 1:8 (15)] A new king "who does THEIR LIVES... The trop seen him kill the Egyptian and report (Torah notes) on these words weaned. From that point on, Moshe is not know Yosef" considers the Jewish him to Par'o. Moshe flees to Midyan seem unduly happy for such sad words. raised in the royal palace by Bat people a threat and takes measures where he saves Yitro's daughters from The GR"A points out the "happy" result of Par'o (Bitya). She names him Moshe. to enslave and demoralize them. the unusually harsh oppression, namely, danger. He takes Tzipora as a wife. Ironically, he is the first one to refer Egyptian astrologers read in that G•d reacted to Egypt's excess by She gives birth to son Gershom. to us as a nation • "Am Bnei the stars that Israel's cutting down our time in bondage to 210 Yisrael". Sometimes it is our redeemer was soon to be[P> 2:23 (3)] Meanwhile, after years from the original prophecy of 400, enemies who tell us who and what born. They recommended the systematic much time passes, the king of Egypt by counting from the birth of Yitzchak, we really are. Par'o called us the drowning of all baby boys (includingdies (or maybe got so sick that it was rather than from Yaakov's descent into Jewish Nation even before we felt non•Jews, since they were not sure from like he died) and the oppression in Egypt. Understand that this is not just an that and knew that ourselves. what nation this redeemer would come). Egypt is greatly intensified. The exchange of 210 years of extra harsh When Moshe was floated on the , the He instructs the midwives to kill the conditions for 400 years of regular People react by calling out to G•d. He astrologers reported to Par'o that Israel's baby boys at birth to prevent theslavery. Commentaries say that if we did too, “reacts”... redeemer was indeed "cast into the river". not get out when we did, we would not development of his "potential As a result of this not quite accurate Yosef was identified by the have made it to Nationhood. enemies" (and to kill off the potential reading of the stars, Par'o withdrew the Wine Steward as a NAAR redeemer of the People). They refuse decree to drown the boys. [This points to IVRI, a Jewish lad. Moshe to do his bidding and save the lives • Second Aliya • the notion that there is something was to identified by Yitro's daughters as ISH of the boys. astrology, but it is a "power" granted and MITZRI, an Egyptian man. Yosef was 15 p'sukim • 1:18•2:10 limited by G•d to some individuals.] privileged to have his remains buried in VA'T'CHAYENA ET HA• the . Moshe did not have Y'LADIM ...and they gaveWhen Par'o sees that his goal is not On the phrase: VAYEILECH that same "z'chut", although it was mainly life to the boys". being The accomplished, he orders that ISH... And a man (from the Moshe who brought Yosef's remains from says that not only did all the male babies (Jew & non•Jew house of Levi) went... theEgypt to the threshold of Eretz Yisrael. midwives defy Par'o by not killing the alike) be drowned. The People of Baal HaTurim points out the only other Gives you pause for thought. No criticism boys, they also were responsible for occurrence of that phrase, in Megilat Israel miraculously flourish under is intended. saving those that might have died during Ruth: VAYEILECH ISH MI'BEIT childbirth. It is natural that some babies these adverse conditions. LECHEM YEHUDA... In both cases, a When Moshe realized that Datan and Aviram informed do not survive birth. The midwives were [P> 2:1 (22)] Amram reunites with redeemer of Israel results. In our case, on him to Par’o, the Torah concerned that if they happened to deliver Yocheved and a baby boy is born. Moshe Rabeinu. In Ruth, the progenitor a stillborn, that it might appear as if they of David HaMelech, his line, to Mashiach tells us that Moshe was afraid. Rashi says e 4 A e 5 A that we can understand that literally, and (in Egypt) as I will be with you in then they will send you out, (e) theindividual who had the miraculous staff in also on a deeper level. With Jews likefuture situations of enslavement and Egyptians will "lend" the People ofhand. (Pirkei Avot tells us that the Staff Datan and Aviram, Moshe feared that the oppression. Israel many belongings. was one of the items created in the instant people of Israel might not merit redemp• between the Six Days of Creation and the tion. (Note that Rashi includes the p’shat Baal HaTurim points out Moshe asks "on what basis will they first Shabbat B'reishit.) The previous (plain) meaning as well as the additional that the letters of this believe me?" G•d gives Moshe three eight are: Adam, Chanoch, No'ach, Shem, meaning. Both apply in this case. It isn't unusual name of G•d total signs to perform for Par'o and theAvraham, Yitzchak, Yaakov, Yosef. always so that the plain meaning 21. is The initial letters of the first three People. The Midrash says that Moshe had retained when there is a drash that is the names of G•d in the Thirteen Divine The three signs are the many staff names: Yered, Chever, preferred way of understanding the text.) Attributes are YUD, YUD, ALEF = 21 (HaShem, HaShem, Keil...). The initials of becoming a snake and then turning Y'kutiel, Avigdor, Avi•Socho, Avi• the Patriarchs are ALEF, YUD, YUD = back to a staff. His hand inserted into Zanu'ach, Tovia, Heiman, Sh'maya. R'vi'i • Fourth Aliya • 21. The initials of the Five Books of the his cloak and emerging stricken with The Midrash further tells us that of all his names, he is only called Torah are BET, VAV, VAV, VAV, and TZORAAT and then being restored. 15 p'sukim • 3:1•15 ALEF = 21. Moshe • even by G•d • to give Taking water from the river andhonor to the acts of kindness of the [S> 3:1 (39)] Moshe is tending At Moshe's suggestion, so to speak, spilling it on the ground and it turns one who found him and saved him Yitro's sheep. An angel appears toG•d agreed to be identified to the to blood. from the water • Bat Par'o, the him from a "burning bush that is not people as EH•YEH, with the more Rashi says that the first two future Batya (Bitya). consumed". Moshe turns aside; G•dcomforting connotation of "I will be signs were also repremands Rashi says that Moshe's experience calls to him. He tells Moshe that He with you", without the implication to Moshe for speakingat the Burning Bush and his com• has heard the people's screams and that there will be other periods of against the people and doubting munication in with G•d there lasted that he is going to take them out of oppression in the future (based on advance their potential to believe what he for SEVEN DAYS! All during that Egypt and bring them to a Land ofRashi). would tell them. This is Lashon HaRa,time, G•d was trying (so to speak) Milk and Honey. and both the snake and the Tzoraat areto convince Moshe to undertake his G•d gives Moshe detailed instructions associated with Lashon HaRa. The third mission. Moshe asks "why me?". G•d assures as to what to say to the people. He sign seems to have been specifically Moshe that He will be with him and tells Moshe how the people will react selected by G•d (perhaps) to be a bridge that as proof of the Divine nature of and how Par'o will react. He tells him and introduction to the MAKOTShishi • Sixth Aliya • his mission, Moshe will be bringing about the plagues and about the (plagues), the first of which was 14 an p'sukim • 4:18•31 the people back to "this spot" (Sinai) "friendly" reaction of the Egyptian extension, let's say, of the third sign. [P> 4:18 (9)] Moshe returns to Yitro to "serve G•d" (and receive the Torah). people. Moshe still questions G•d as to "why [see Lead Tidbit for focus on this] and tells him that he must go to his me"; G•d gets angry at Moshe for brethren. Yitro sends Moshe on his Furthermore, Moshe is to "reintro• doubting His choice of leader. G•d Chamishi • Fifth Aliya • way. G•d tells Moshe that it is safe for duce" G•d to the People. Moshe asks informs Moshe that Aharon will assist him to do so. Moshe takes his wife G•d what he should tell the People24 p'sukim • 3:16•4:17 in these matters. Moshe is instructed when he comes to them at G•d's and sons and returns to Egypt. G•d The prophecy at the Bush continues... to have his special staff with him command. G•d's answer spans nine reminds Moshe about the signs he is G•d tells Moshe: (a) to gather the when he presents himself to the p'sukim (3:14•22). G•d identifies to use before Par'o, that Par'o will not elders of Israel and tell them that G•d People and Par'o. Himself as EH•YEH EH•YEH listen, and that he (Moshe) is to say will be taking them out of Egypt and The Staff, HaMateh. Baal (Alef•Hei•Yud•Hei is one of the 7 to Par'o that if he does not release the bringing them to the Land of Israel, HaTurim says that there is / names of G•d that may not be People, G•d will kill his firstborn. was a scribal custom to put erased. Probably the least known of (b) the elders will accompany Moshe (Thus the last Plague was really the Torah crowns on the TET in the word the list of seven.) This name of G•d's to present the demand for release first warning to Par'o. All the other before Par'o, (c) Par'o will not THE STAFF. This, to hint to the fact that has the meaning: I will be with you Moshe was the ninth (TET=9) righteous Plagues served their purposes, but all (Bnei Yisrael) in your time of trouble acquiesce, (d) I will smite Egypt and pointed to MAKAT B'CHOROT.) e 6 A e 7 A On the way, Tzipora circumcises her entourage was going to Par'o, until only and they will come to serve HaShem has appointed over them.” There are thus son. Commentaries explain thatMoshe and Aharon were left. Because of and bow to Him in Jerusalem. Thetwo categories of people who may Moshe had neither circumcised histhis, it was to be this way at Sinai also. sedra speaks of the First Redemption; exercise exigency jurisdiction: the son Eliezer because of the danger in The elders were left at the foot of the the haftara refers to the Completegreatest of his times and the officials of traveling when recently circumcised, mountain and Aharon and Moshe Redemption. the community whom the court has ascended. (Then Aharon stopped and appointed over them. In Jewish life, nor did he postpone his return to Moshe proceeded to the top.) S'fardim read the 1st chapter of Yirmiyahu as greatness is equated with the attainment Egypt, which would have been in the haftara of Sh'mot. That chapter is the first of superior wisdom. It has always been defiance of G•d's command. It seems Par'o refuses, questioning who this haftara of the Three Weeks, felt Beinthat such wisdom would lead to that he was in error in not havingG•d of Israel is. He then increases the humility and therefore act as a restraint on circumcised him, hence his life was in burden on the People (who obviously HaMeitzarim. Interesting parallel to the first haftara of enslavement in Egypt. There are unbridled power. R. Karo, by adding the jeopardy until Tzipora performed the have too much free time because words after the leaders “whom the court circumcision. Another question onthey ask for a 3•day release) by other sedra•haftara connections too. has appointed over them”, indicates to us this episode concerns the accept•requiring them to also collect the that the representatives are appointed as a ability of a female circumcising.straw for the raw materials of the THE JERUSALEM INSTITUTE court to act over the people. R. Moshe Commentaries solve that problem in bricks they have to make. The leaders OF JEWISH LAW Issereles (the RAMA) writes that the representatives of the city are, in their different ways. of the People bear the brunt of the Rabbi Emanuel Quint, Dean new edicts and complain to Par'o. city, like the outstanding of the generation [P> 4:27 (29)] G•d tells Aharon to Par'o blames Moshe; the People react in every detail and may expropriate greet Moshe. Moshe tells Aharon all Lesson #407 (part 5) with anger and disappointment. property and they make decrees and that has happened. They gather the regulations in the city according to their Moshe tells G•d that his efforts were Exigency Jurisdiction elders and Aharon tells them what will, as stated in the , that the counter•productive. G•d says that will occur. The People believe what of the Beit Din representatives of the city have authority NOW you (Moshe) will see what G•d they hear and bow to G•d. to punish anyone who violates their will do to Par'o... Maftir is the last 3 Who is Authorized to Act decrees. There are those who disagree and Rashi says that the donkey p'sukim. We have been discussing the exigencysay that the representatives of the city that Moshe used to bring his may not exercise such broad powers, but family to Mitzrayim was the jurisdiction of the Beit Din. This lesson Haftara • 23 p'sukim • we shall discuss who is authorized to act are limited to matters that are stipulated same one that Avraham took to the Akeida with the consent of all, but in cases which and the one that the Mashiach will ride in such situations. Of course the first class Yeshayahu 27:6•28:13, of individuals authorized to act are in not so originally stipulated, the upon. Why not a regular donkey? To tell representatives of the city have no power us that these monumental events were not emergency situations are the judges of the 29:22•23 Beit Din of the community. As the termto punish anyone in the city as they haphazard, but rather specially prepared please. Some of the codes add that the parts of G•d's master plan for the world. As the sedra tells of the family of exigency jurisdiction indicates, this can only be exercised in extraordinaryauthority of the citizens of the city are Yaakov in exile, so does the prophet situations. There must be adequateonly in those matters as were traditionally Sh'vi'i • Seventh Aliya • tell of the exiles of the People of safeguards to insure that this jurisdiction so handled or if they are going to so Israel. The sedra contains G•d's is not abused, that it is in fact, employed decree with the consent of all. There are 6 p'sukim • 50:21•26 prophecy to Moshe Rabeinu at the only on rare emergency situations. Thistwo conflicting views as to the scope of Burning Bush of the redemption of can best be accomplished by limitingthe city representatives to make decrees to "And then, Moshe & Aharon go" to Israel, the subsequent Standing at those situations to which this jurisdiction govern the citizens, from a very broad Par'o and say to him "Thus says G•d • Sinai, and the entrance into the Land can extend and by limiting the personspower to a limited power. The Talmud Let my People go..." flowing with Milk and Honey. The who may exercise this jurisdiction. R.(Baba Batra 8b) states that the citizens of Notice that the elders areHaftara contains the prophecy that Yosef Karo in the Shulhan Aruch simply a community may enact standards for weights and measurements, set maximum not mentioned. Rashi tells us there will come a day when the Great states that it may be exercised “only by food prices, set labor wage standards, and that one•by•one, the elders Shofar will sound, and the exiles will the greatest of the generation or by the punish those who violate their decrees. "disappeared" (in fear of Par'o) as thecome from their places of dispersion, leaders of the community whom the court e 8 A e 9 A Most of the authorities cite a Talmudicpurchasing real property, the produce of Spiritual & Ethical Issues power or Mine, pass before them and we case. Two butchers agreed that each one which was also to go to the upkeep of the will see if anyone dares raise his hand would keep his shop open only on certain poor. One of the donor’s relatives and the in the Stories of Sh’mot against you". Alternatively, as a criticism days and that if one of them would open officers of the city were to administer the by Dr. Meir Tamari of Moshe, "Why do you slander Israel? when it was not his turn, then the animal trust. The trust was given to and accepted You say they will kill you but when hides in his shop would be destroyed.by the city on the condition that it would 7 weeks from Egypt to Sinai [5] Moshe passed by all the people stood When the first butcher kept his shop open not be altered. The 35 gold pieces were before him in great respect" (Tanchuma, on a day when he should have beenused to purchase adjacent property to the When the people complained to MosheB'shalach 22). closed, the second butcher seized theproperty owned by one Shimon. Shimon that they had no water at Refidim, his animal hides of the first butcher andprevailed upon the leaders of the city to answer, as it was at Yam Suf, at Mara,We may see the staff that Moshe was destroyed them. The first butcher thenexchange his property for the property and with regard to the Manna, was, "why commanded to take with him to perform brought a law suit to recover the value of purchased for the trust. After the do you test G•d"; making it clear that their the miracle simply as one that shepherds the hides. The case came before ,exchange, Shimon built a house on the seemingly legitimate complaints wereor old men usually carry (Abarbanel), or one of the teachers in the Talmud, whoexchanged property. A relative of the actually aimed at G•d Himself. That isas that which was created on the of decided that the second butcher must pay donor brought an action to cancel the why there was no direct or immediateShabbat B'reishit, engraved with the for the hides. R. Yaamar asked Rava why exchange. Shimon produced a document miracle in answer but rather a delayedSheim HaMeforash and bearing the he did not apply the rule that people who to prove that the leaders of the city action that would take Moshe and thenames of the Patriarchs, and thus violate standards may be punished. Rava authorized the exchange. Two questions elders of Israel to Horev [Sinai] fromendowed with supernatural powers did not reply. R. Papa explained that Rava were presented in this case. Is the where G•d would give them gushing(Sh'mot Rabba 4:35). Irrespective, we still was right in not replying since itexchange is binding? If not, does Shimon water from the rock. Although that place need to understand what its special elementary that rules and regulations may have any remedy for the improvements he was less than a half day's journey fromspiritual significance was here and why it be set up only when there made is no to the trust property? In his Refidim and although the people werewas necessary to the performance of the outstanding authority in the community.decision, Rashba holds that the exchange impatient, yet it was fundamental thatmiracle. Mankind has always struggled But where there is an outstanding scholar of the property must be cancelled. The they should receive the water from thewith the problem of the source of good in the community, commercial and labor exchange is not binding since both the same place that they were to receive the and evil in the world, and almost all standards must meet with his approval,donor and the city stipulated that there Torah. They had to be taught that theirreligions, faiths and belief systems have which did not happen in that case. Themay not be any changes in the trust. material needs, the Manna and the water, only been able to solve this problem with decrees of the city like the exercise ofMoreover, the rights of the poor were like their spiritual ones, all came from the the idea of separate gods of light and exigency jurisdiction may be limited toviolated since their beneficial interests same divine source; both equallydarkness, of good and evil, and of mercy the outstanding person of the community were being exchanged without their miraculous (Abarbanel). and punishment. Even in the monotheistic or the representatives of the people. The consent. Having voided the exchange of faiths, despite their belief in one G•d, we Unlike Mara, where their flocks and herds following question was posed to Rashba the property, Rashba then decided the find traces and sometimes more than just could drink of the bitter water, at Refidim (1245•1310): May a community pass asecond issue and decided that Shimon had traces, of separate forces or people that they feared for them as well as for decree that when the witnesses to theto be compensated for the improvements cause or can subvert forces of good and themselves: "they compared their cattle to preparation of a document die before they he made to the property. Since the evil. In order to remove any such concept their own bodies as a person's cattle [his can sign the document, the scribe, who is representatives of the city had authorized from Israel, Moshe was commanded to material goods] are essential to his officially appointed to the position, canthe exchange they were deemed to have take his staff with him although the existence" (Mechilta). acknowledge the document and thuswarranted the title to the exchanged miracle could have come about without it. waive the requirement of two witnesses? property. Moshe's cry to G•d, in reaction to the"Israel thought that the staff of Moshe Rashba answered that it may be so people's complaint, "What shall I do to The subject matter of this lesson is more was a source of destruction, judgment or decreed, for a community may generally them? A little more and they will stone fully discussed in Volume I, chapter 2 of hardship" (Tanchuma). Moshe was told to decree anything it desires. In another case me", can be seen as fear of the reaction of Jewish Jurisprudence by Emanuel Quint perform the miracle with it in order to that came before Rashba, a citizen of a thirst•crazed people; this would be in and Neil Hecht. Copies of both volumes teach that the staff, like all inanimate Saragossa, had donated a vineyard character with his constant Ahavat can be purchased at local Judaica objects, had no independence and only to be used to support the poor. He also Yisrael. In this vein, the comments, bookstores. Questions to [email protected] behaved according to the will of G•d; donated 35 gold pieces for the purpose of "G•d answered him, are you in theirsometimes bringing good, but sometimes e 10 A e 11 A being a source of suffering. "Three things had done at Refidim? In what way was [1] From the virtual desk of the OU of us (including this respondent) to were the source of destruction but equally that a Kiddush Hashem and why link it to VEBBE REBBE diverge from tradition and ignore possible a source of and redemption. The entry into Eretz Yisrael? mystical implications about which we ketoret by which Nadav and Avihu met The Orthodox Union – via its website – fieldsknow little (perhaps including the Name questions of all types in areas of kashrut, Jewish their death ( 10:1) yet ketoret"For 40 years Israel had been led by of Hashem on the back of the klaf, which Moshe with miracles that supplied all law and values. Some of them are answered by brought atonement for Israel during the Eretz Hemdah, the Institute for Advanced Jewish turns out being facing out). Remember Avoda of the Kohen Gadol on Yomtheir needs [food, protection and water]. Studies, Jerusalem, headed by Rav Yosef Carmel also that despite the advantages of being Kippur; the Aron through which UzaHowever, once they would cross the and Rav Moshe Ehrenreich, founded by HaRav able to read content of tefillin (which are (Shmuel Bet 6) and people of Jordan Bet into Eretz Yisrael, all those Shaul Yisraeli zt"l, to prepare rabbanim andclosely related to mezuzot), they are Shemesh (Shmuel Alef 6) met theirmiracles would cease and everything dayanim to serve the National Religiouscertainly rolled up and hidden away. community in Israel and abroad. Ask the Rabbi deaths but that was a source of bracha for would come to them in a natural way. They had be taught now a new way of is a joint venture of the OU, YerushalayimLet us return to your question: could an Oved in whose field it rested; the staff of Network, Eretz Hemdah... and the Israel Center. Moshe by which he brought the plaguesreceiving His , equally The following is a Q&A from Eretz Hemdah... unrolled mezuza be halachically on the Egyptians and brought about their miraculous, but yet not the open miracles prohibited? The (Menachot 34a) ultimate death at Yam Suf, but also here that Moshe brought them, through In some modern, decorative,asks why we do not take the pasuk at Refidim brought forth from a rock the changing the behavior of natural forces. Q clear mezuza cases, the klafliterally and write a mezuza’s content water that kept Israel for 40 years"So Moshe was told to speak to the rock, (parchment) is unfolded so that directly on the doorposts. If this were (Mechilta). just as they would in the Land, have to it can be read while attached. Is thisdone, there would not be anything to roll pray with their speech whenever they kosher and is only a lack of hidur (best up, which seems to prove that there is no The spiritual issue underlying all four oflacked water; and have to know that that way to fulfill a mitzva), or must the klaf intrinsic need to roll. However, we must the murmurings from the time that theywater, too, came to them as a (hidden) be rolled? consider the gemara’s conclusion, which stood on the banks of Yam Suf until their miracle. As Moshe failed to teach them provides a source for writing on a klaf, getting water from the rock at Refidim,that the new miraculous way in their Land The very long•standing practice and see whether it impacts our question. can be summed up by their concludingwas prayer, he was not allowed to enter it A has been to roll the mezuza klaf The gemara says that we learn from words: "Is G•d in our midst or not?" If He with them (Ha'amek Davar, Bamidbar). and put it into some sort another of appearance in the Torah of the is able to supply all of our material needs canister. The rolling is documentedword writing, which is done on a normal even without our verbalizing them, thatMISC section • contents: already by the gemara’s (Menachot 31b) writing surface, that the same is done for will prove that indeed He is G•d and not statement that the mezuza should a be mezuza. The Rishonim on the page just one of the angels, who are powerless [1] Vebbe Rebbe rolled from the left side of the parchment bring three possible identifications of the to understand or realize on their own the [2] Candle by Day to the right so that its beginning other (in writing: a get, the scroll of a sota, unspoken demands of Mankind (Malbim, right•to•left Hebrew) is opened up first.and a . Shmot 17:7). "For the very foundation of [3] From Aloh Naaleh These instructions are brought as halacha There is a very strict, lone opinion (see Jewish teaching is based on knowing that by the Rambam (Hil. Mezuza 5:6) and the Nature is created by a completely free [4] Wisdom and Wit Noam, vol. X) that assumes the gemara Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh Deah 288:14). compares mezuza to a Sefer Torah. Since G•d who still retains free mastery over it [5] Parsha Points to Ponder and that Man was created by Him with However, your assumption that the rolled a Sefer Torah must be rolled, we learn complete free will, given to him to raise [6] MicroUlpan form is at least preferred need not that be if a mezuza is not rolled, one does not himself above the forces of nature" (S. R. evident from the classical sources.fulfill the Torah law of affixing it. This Hirsch). [7] from Machon Puah Perhaps the rolled•up version is assumed opinion is convincingly disposed of by [8] Portion from the Portion only due to such technical reasons as that Rav Yosef and others (see also Chovat In this way, perhaps, we can see how it takes up less space and is betterHadar (9:(9)) and Pitchei She’arim Moshe's smiting of the rock 40 years[9] Guest article protected. Perhaps being able to read it is 288:94). later, instead of talking to it, was seen as a an advantage (see language of Rambam, failure to sanctify G•'s Name [10] and Torah from Nature The major question is whether the change Mezuza 6:13). The venerable posek, Rav from tradition is in and of itself punished by his not being allowed to enter [11] extra SDTs Ovadya Yosef (Yechave Da’at VIII, Eretz Yisrael. Why was talking to the problematic. See again Rav Yosef’s Yoreh Deah 30), raises this as a realresponsum, where he cites an opinion that rock a bigger miracle that smiting it as he [12] Divrei Menachem possibility. Of course, it is hard for many e 12 A e 13 A this is grounds to remove such a displaymere idea of departing from it. impossible to be assimilated in the longChutz l'aretz. Perhaps, amongst the and re•affix the mezuza normally (without From "A Candle by Day" term. When we understand this nations and but never with them, never settled a b'racha). His own approach is that while by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein choose to dwell apart, we dwell apart in and comfortable in golus, but always he does not recommend it, one could security as the Torah tells us. "Anduniquely apart from, and never a part of, allow such a display to remain. The A Candle by Day • The Antidote Yisroel will dwell securely apartyearning • to be in the place designated for question of changes in tradition is a major • The World of Chazal vayishkon yisroel betach badad". Whenspiritual insulation• Eretz Yisroel. topic that cannot be properly treated in a by Rabbi Shraga Silverstein we resist and choose to assimilate, in the sentence or two. However, we should Now available at 054•209•9200 long term, it is unsuccessful and we note a pertinent factor. Affixing a mezuza remain apart. But then, we lament, "how Rabbi Zev Leff, Moshav Matityahu in this manner does not seem to be based [3] CHIZUK and IDUD do you dwell apart • Eicha yash'vaTORAH THOUGHTS as contributed by Aloh on subversive intentions but is intended to for Olim & not•yet•Olim respectively vadad". As Reb Chaim of Valozhin said, Naaleh members for publication in the Orthodox glorify the mitzva, make it more Either the Jew makes kiddush or the goy Medrash Rabba relates that since Moshe Union's 'Torah Insights', a weekly Torah significant to some, and/or at worst, to be will make havdala. Either we separate Rabeinu did not admit to his land, he did publication on Parshat HaShavu'a unique. Therefore, although we would not our• selves willingly and sanctify our not merit to be buried in Eretz Yisroel, in push the practice, we would not reject it lifestyle, or the goy will separate us contrast to Yosef who did admit to his either. against our will in a tragic manner. [4] Wisdom & Wit land and merited to be buried in Eretz A merchant came to R’ Shraga Feivel Yisroel. The Medrash explains that Yosef Eretz Yisroel is the place where we can We also refer to a responsum from our Frank, who had a leather store, and sought admitted to his land when his masters develop our unique identity and remain book, Living the Halachic Process (G•2), to buy a large quantity of leather. wife said, that you brought an Ivri to us to insulated (not isolated) from the rest of where we pointed out that if the scroll Considering the large quantity involved, mock us, and Yosef admitted that he was the world. A Jew, no matter where he is was not yet used as a halachic mezuza, it he asked for a certain discount. “I can’t do stolen from the land of the Ivri. Moshe born, is connected to Eretz Yisroel as the could be displayed in a non•halachic that,” said R’ Shraga Feivel, “because I did not admit to his land when the land of his identity. He should never setting in a room where it will not be feel I need to make a certain percentage of daughters of Yisro referred to him as an blend in to another land and culture but disgraced. Therefore, one has the option profit, regardless of the quantity. Ish Mitzri, an Egyptian man who saved rather be recognizable as being an Eretz to use the see•through case in his living However,” he continued, “I can them from the shepherds and seemingly Yisroel person. Hence, he should never room and put a standard mezuza case on recommend other leather merchants. he did not correct them and say that he feel totally comfortable and settled his doorpost. Maybe they will be willing to give you was not an Egyptian but rather an Ivri. anywhere but in Eretz Yisroel. If Moshe such a discount.” He thereupon took out a Ask the Rabbi Q&A is part of Hemdat Yamim, The difficulty with this Medrash lies in Rabeinu could have been identified as an the weekly parsha sheet published by Eretz piece of paper and wrote down the names the fact that Moshe Rabeinu did not hear Ish Mitzri and it wasn't obvious that he Hemdah. You can read this section or the entire of other leather merchants. The man left them say this, for immediately afterwards, was different, apart and unique then his Hemdat Yamim at www.ou.org or the store and went to the other merchants, Yisro says, "where is he? Call him to eat connection to Eretz Yisroel was www.eretzhemdah.org. And/or you can receive but found that not only were their prices Hemdat Yamim by email weekly, by sending an bread". Additionally, Yosef in fact was blemished. Hence he did not merit to not any lower, they were in fact higher email to [email protected] with born the in Eretz Yisroel and removed from bond with the land after death by being than those quoted by R’ Shraga Feivel. message: there, yet Moshe was in fact born in buried there. Even if one has not merited, Hurrying back to R’ Shraga Feivel, he Subscribe/English (for the English version) or Egypt. to be able to settle in Eretz Yisroel as of Subscribe/Hebrew (for the hebrew version). yet, even in the times of golus when many said, “I’ve returned, R’ Shraga Feivel, and Perhaps the meaning of this Medrash is as Please leave the subject blank. Ask the Vebbe are forced to live outside of Eretz Yisroel, am ready to pay what you asked for.” I’m Rebbe is partially funded by the Jewish Agency follows: The Jewish people are an AM one must also "admit" i.e. be cognizant,very glad to see you,” said R’ Shraga for Israel LEVADAD, sepa• rate and distinct in that their true place as a Jew is in theFeivel. “After you left, I thought things their lifestyle and mission from the rest of environment of Eretz Yisroel with theout again, and I realized that I am indeed [2] the world. To maintain this identity, we Candle by Day kedusha and tahara, the holiness andable to offer you the price at the discount must not assimilate into the cultures purity that makes the distinction of theyou asked for,” and he insisted on not One who does things just to around be us. In fact, Hashem has made this Jew as one who dwells apart. This willreceiving any more than the amount he different from others is more a slave impossible in regards to the Jewish people engender the feeling that althoughhad mentally agreed to. to the crowd than those who simply as a whole. We are compared to oil and physically one is outside of Eretz Yisroel, follow it; he holds the crowd in such the nations of the world to water, Shmuel Himelstein has written a wonderful high esteem as to see greatness in the one will live an Eretz Yisroel existence in series for ArtScroll: Words of Wisdom, Words of e 14 A e 15 A Wit; A Touch of Wisdom, A Touch of Wit; and No one should think that the fear of those people's problems, helping them andaccepted even when it is not always "Wisdom and Wit" — available at your localwho wanted to kill him caused Moshe to giving them advice. A long line of people popular and what the person may have Jewish bookstore (or should be). Excerpted with hesitate about going back to Egypt. stretched to his door and he would end the initially chosen to hear. the permission of the copyright holder Rather, Moshe was prepared to face them day sweating and exhausted. However, as mentioned last week, the job in order to save the Jews and he first [5] Parsha Points to Ponder Once one of his aides plucked up theof the counselor and the Rabbi at the Puah learned about their death once he was courage and asked him, "Rebbe, howInstitute is to guide the person to a place already on the way. come you are so exhausted and sweaty at that they may not have chosen but where SH'MOT 3) The Meshech Chochma teaches that the end of the day?" The Rebbe simplythey need to be. 1) Why doesn't Moshe trust G•D instead Moshe continued to suspect that the answered that it was because of We the will see an illustration of this in the of questioning the Jewish people'sJewish people would not believe him. He people who came to ask his advice. work of the Puah Institute next week. acceptance of Moshe as G•D's chosenfigured that the fact that he brought his Some time later, the Shamash asked the redeemer? (4:1) wife and sons into this dangerous Rebbe again, "I do not understand, after The Puah Institute for Fertility and Gynecology situation would convince the Jewish in Accordance with Halacha is based in 2) Why does the Torah have to mention all, the Rebbe sits down all day and people that G•D did, in fact, promise that Jerusalem and helps couples from all over the that G•D's telling Moshe that the people listens to people and then gives a few he would redeem them from Egypt. This world who are experiencing fertility problems. who wanted to kill him are dead took words of advice. How come the RebbePuah offers free counseling in five languages, lack of trust, according to the Meshech place in Midian? (4:19) sweats so much?" halachic supervision and educational programs. Chochma, was a failure on Moshe's part The Rebbe answered, "I will tell you how Puah has offices in New York, Los Angeles and 3) Why did Moshe take his wife and sons and played a role in his son's life being in it works. When somebody comes to ask Paris. To contact the Puah Institute please call with him when he went to Egypt danger to during the trip to Egypt. (02) 651•5050 in Israel or 718•3360603 in the me advice I have to remove my clothing redeem the Jewish people? (4:20) US. Parsha Points to Ponder is prepared by Rabbi and put on their clothing in order to Wouldn't it have been more wise for them Visit our website at www.puah.org.il Dov Lipman, who teaches at Reishit understand their question and problem to wait safely in Midian and join the Yerushalayim, Tiferet, and Machon Maayan in from their perspective. I cannot nation after their successful redemption? [8] Beit Shemesh and RBS and is the author of understand them without seeing the "DISCOVER: Answers for Teenagers (and THESE ARE THE adults) to Questions about the Jewish Faith",just problem through their eyes, in their re•published by Feldheim, [email protected] clothing. Then I have to get out of their ANSWERS clothing and back into my clothing in Ponder the questions first, then read here [6] MicroUlpan order to give them advice. Then I have to get out of my clothing and back into their by Rakel Berenbaum 1) The Sfat Emet explains that MosheTell the truth • which makes more sense: clothing in order to make sure that my FEEDback to [email protected] knew that the exile in Egypt would be the shuttlecock for badminton or NOTZIT for advice was acceptable to them. Then I prototype for all exiles the Jews wouldMISCHAK HANOTZIT? have to get out of their clothing and back PAR'O'S DAUGHTER WENT experience throughout our history. Moshe (Keep in mind that NOTZA means into my clothing to get ready for the next TO BATHE IN THE NILE wanted to insure that G•D would promise feather.) person. So if you changed clothes so Because of Par'o's evil decree to kill to redeem the Jews even in times when many times a day you would sweat they lacked faith in Him. Thus, he wanted all Jewish baby boys, Yocheved tried [7] profusely as well." G•D to instruct him to go to Egypt to From Machon Puah to hide her newborn son. When she This little tale illuminates an important redeem the Jews despite their possible was no longer able to hide him at Counseling the Other aspect of counseling that we discussed lack of faith, thereby setting the example home she decided to try to save him It is not easy to be a good counselor, not last week. One cannot give another person for future exiles as well. by floating him on the Nile in a just because one listens day after day to advice purely from there own perspective, papyrus box. His sister stood on the 2) The Ohr HaChayim answers that theother people's problems and serious they must be able to enter the otherside to watch and see what would Torah wants to emphasize that G•Dconditions, but because one has to counsel person's shoes, or to wear his clothing in actually become of him. She was revealed this information to Moshe after the other, not just give the advice that this story, in order to give them the bestwitness to an extraordinary episode. Moshe returned to Midian on his way to they think is good. advice that is appropriate for them. In the Egypt and not while Moshe was still end the counselor must also ensure thatPar'o's daughter went to bathe in the There is a famous story about the Rebbe Nile. She sees a basket in the water, unsure of what to do at the burning bush. who spent the entire day listening to the advice given was understood and e 16 A e 17 A takes it to her, finds a baby. Realizes thinks he will actually be successful. mixed with a little oil and poured onfire. Moshe investigated the way that that the baby is Jewish, has pity onHe must just try. top of the fish. form and matter combine to produce the baby and eventually raises it as Because of her efforts, Hashem later Bring to a boil on high heat innovation and in the universe, and he found her own. The Torah doesn't even tell calls her Batya • the daughter of the immediately lower the heat G•d and the Creator to be the root of all us her name when it relates this true G•d. simmer about 45 minutes, covered.existence. episode. Here she is just called "the Uncover and continue cooking on low This interpretation is embodied in the daughter of Par'o". This adds to the Here is a recipe for fish from the Nile. heat, until the liquid is almostMidrash, as well (Sh'mot Rabba 1:9), drama of the story. It isn't just any absorbed and the fish is well done. "From the burning bush we learn that no Egyptian that would be the one who place, even a bush, is devoid of the saved the person that G•d chose toMoroccan Nile Perch Divine Presence." Nonetheless, here be His messenger to redeem his2•4 lbs. (1•2 kilo) Nile Perch fillets [9] Guest article various Jewish schools of thought branch people from Egypt. It was Par'o's own 1/2 • 1lemon The Eternal Message of the out in familiar directions. daughter. And the redeemer would actually grow up in Par'o's own home. Olive or vegetable oil to cover the Burning Bush The Chassidism of the Ba'al Shem Tov bottom of a large skillet Hashem works in very amazing ways. by Rabbi Sprecher understand this idea as meaning that no place is devoid of the Divine Presence, According to some, Par'o actually1 whole head of garlic separated Dean of Students, Diaspora Yeshiva including both light and darkness (good named his daughter Batya and that is into cloves, peeled and minced It is no coincidence that G•d first revealed and seemingly negative phenomena). This what she was called in Egypt. He 2 carrots, peeled and sliced in Himself to Moshe in a burning bush. Our idea finds clear expression in Degel considered himself god and he called julienne strips Sages in the Midrash saw this as evoking Machanei Efrayim on her the daughter of god. According to a broad range of symbolic themes and the Even Ezel that is why the Torah 1 large bunch cilantro, chopped regarding the verse, "If you come across a prophetic visions. doesn't mention her name here. It coarsely bird's nest" (D'varim 22:6). doesn't want her to be associated with 4 medium•large tomatoes, sliced Rabbeinu Bachya regards the burning"I heard from my grandfather and master the gods of Egypt, especially since bush as a revelation that our nation,(the Ba'al Shem Tov) that the Sh'china the Gemara (Sota) says that she went 1 14•oz. can tomatoes, with the despite its hardships, is eternal. "Thedescends from the highest to the lowest down to the Nile, VATEIRED, tojuice burning bush conjures up the image of alevel. And that this is the meaning of the immerse herself in the running waters 2 tiny red peppers, dried or fresh, lowly nation in iron fetters, constantlyverse (Nechemya 9:6), "You sustain them and purify herself from the idolor 1/8 teaspoon bottled hot pepper aflame with suffering. Threatened on all all". Even when an individual sins, he is worship of her father. In this episode flakes sides, against all odds, the Jewish people still surrounded by the Sh'china, without on the Nile, we see how far she continue to endure miraculously amongwhich no person would have the power to 1/4 teaspoon turmeric distances herself from Par'o, her their enemies." perform any act, even to move a muscle. father. Although her maidservants Salt, pepper and paprika This interpretation is found in MidrashIt is that which sustains him, investing scold her against taking the Jewish Shemos, regarding the Exile in Egypt:him with energy and life. This is, as it boy into her care against the edict of Marinate fish in the juice of half to a "Just as the bush burns but iswere, not the Sh'china in exile." her father, she doesn't listen to them whole lemon for at least 20 minutes, preferably overnight, refrigerated. consumed, so too, Egypt (and the PLO)This idea aroused great opposition from and does what she thinks is the right can’t destroy the Jewish people." the Vilna Gaon, and is one of the factors thing. According to the Midrash, she Heat the oil and add half of the that led to the persecution and stretched out her hand • AMA • to try minced garlic. Also add half of the hot Yet another explanation of Rabbeinu excommunication of Chassidism. At the to save the baby from the NILE. She peppers, tomato slices, and canned Bachya follows the line of Rambam. end of Metzaraf Ha'Avoda, we find shouldn't have been able to reach the tomatoes and juice. Then half of the Seeing the burning bush represented quoted a letter from the Ba'al HaTanya basket because of the long distance, carrots and cilantro. Moshe's striving to conceptualize G•d, who offers an in•depth analysis of the two but Hashem caused a miracle Place to half of the fish fillets on top of which led to his achievement of prophecy. views. He explains the view of the Vilna happen and her arm grew. the The mixture and sprinkle with turmeric, According to Rabbeinu Bachya, the Gaon that one should not interpret "No Kotzker Rebbe learns from here that salt, pepper and paprika. Repeat burning bush represents matter in the when one has a mitzva to do, another he layer as above with the universe, which remains unconsumedplace is devoid of Him" literally, but should do his best no matter if heexception of the paprika which is now even though it is cloaked in Heavenlyrather in the sense of (Yeshayahu 6:3): "The whole earth is full of His glory," e 18 A e 19 A meaning that hashgacha • Divineharbinger of our future success, i.e. that [11] Misc. among the Misc. Rav Yosef Ber Soloveitchik explains that Providence • is everywhere. He notes that Israel will exist forever, despite the • The name Moshe, first occurring in this the Biblical "Ish" always refers to a as a result of this contention,threats the of the President of Iran. person of standing. Here, the "Ish Mitzri" week's sedra, occurs 676 times in the Chassidic works Toldos and Shivchai indicates identification with the Torah, 290 times in the book of Sh'mot. Ba'al Shem Tov were burnt. [10] Torah from Nature: aristocratic, liberal Egyptian. In turn, "Ish The Sefas Emes clarifies this Kabbalistic NILE PERCH • A Mezuza contains 2 parshiyot, Ivri" 15 conjures up a picture of the Israelite idea in various ways. For him, the p'sukim, 170 words, 713 letters. who 11 insists on being a person first and We'll supplement this week's Portion of statement, "no place is devoid of the "Names". Letter count: VAV (76), then a Jew. the Portion column with a MA RABU Shechinah" points to the purpose of galut (70), BET (66), KAF (62), YUD (61), MAASECHA feature on the NILE TAV (58), HEI (57), LAMED (52)...But, as throughout our history, the one • exile • namely, that Israel must betrays the other. In the next verse we are PERCH. SAMACH (2), GIMEL (1). everywhere reveal the Divine Light. told that Moshe looked around, "and there Galus is from the same root as hitgalut • Scientifically known as Lates niloticus, Try this on others (you'll already knowwas no one" • for he understood that revelation. Through the dispersion of the we call it NESICHAT HANILUS, the the answer): neither of these characters counted. And Jewish people, "G•d's will becomesPrincess of the Nile. The list of other A mezuza contains the first two parshiyot now he hits "the Egyptian" • for now it revealed everywhere and concerningnames it goes by includes African of Sh'ma. Among its 713 letters is onlydoes not matter how liberated the every matter." Snook... Nile Perch is one of the largest of one GIMEL. In what word? surrounding culture seems: The Jew, in freshwater fish, growing to lengths of Elsewhere, he says that the burning bush the last analysis, has a special essence. about 2m (over 6 feet) and weighing over If you choose your targets well, you'll see symbolizes holiness burning brightly 200 kilo (440 lbs.)... silver in colour with them sweat out this question and try to Shabbat Shalom, Menachem Persoff despite the presence of the "thorns"; i.e., a blue tinge... distinctive dark black eyes, quickly and quietly recite the Sh'ma in the the profane. Moshe was puzzled by the with a bright yellow outer ring... fierce hopes of coming up with the word. If they Towards Better Davening holy fire's endurance in the face of these predator that dominates its surroundings... get it • tell them: WELL DONE! Or "thorns", yet G•d wished to demonstrate and Torah Learning feeds on fish (including its own species)... words to that effect. If they give up • don't that even within the very depths of make them feel bad, just tell them theRA'AM•SEIS darkness is stored a great light, as in the Introduction of the Nile perch into lakes answer: D'GANECHA. verse (Shemos 1:12), "The more and the rivers it is not native to, is greatly To review: The supply city that the Jewish Egyptians oppressed them, the more the discouraged. Experience from years ago people were forced to build (in this week's Israelites proliferated and spread." is that it single•handedly brought many [12] Divrei Menachem sedra) is RA'AM•SEIS. PITOM and species of small fish to the verge of RAAMSEIS. It is mentioned only this one Our Sages, interpreting the burning bush, Parshat Sh'mot describes the Egyptian extinction (if not beyond). The time. state that just as a rosebush produces both exile, in many ways a prototype of future introduction of this species to Lake flowers and thorns, so too the Jewish diasporas. Here Jews cope and confront, The city from which the people left Egypt Victoria, for example, is one of the most people produce both great Tzadikim and preserve their names, dress and language, is a different place, not a supply city but a commonly cited examples of the negative terrible sinners. and fight 's decrees, even as they populated one. It is pronounced RA• effects invasive alien species can have on begin to despair under the heinous yolk of M'SEIS. It occurs 5 times in the Torah. We The vision of the burning bush therefore ecosystems. Egyptian bondage. left Mitzrayim from that location. Look makes clear the historic and spiritual One of its favorite foods is herring, which carefully at the two words and you will see essence of Israel, the phenomenon of In the face of severe hardships therethe difference in vowels. might explain its own popularity as a good and evil confronting each other and surely were individuals who identified Jewish dish. This is not a scientific fact, G•d's promise (Vayikra 26:44), "I will not with the aggressor rather than stand up to just a joke. The rest is from various hits grow so disgusted with them nor so tired their oppressor. They preferred to divest on the internet. of them that I would destroy them." themselves of their Jewish• ness and to The Nile Perch is considered a game fish, adopt Egyptian mores. Such might have Moshe was so impressed by the greatness as well as a valuable food. been the characters described respectively of the vision of the burning bush that he as the "Ish Mitzri" (Egyptian man) and said (Sh'mot 3:3), "I will turn aside to see "Ish Ivri" (Hebrew man) whom the this great sight." The burning bush, impressionable Moshe saw fighting each symbol of Jewish suffering, was a other (Shmot 2:11). e 20 A e 21 A field work (the planting of the TTRIDDLES... are Torah Tidbits• CHET + ZAYIN + KUF +YUD + HEI + seedling) style riddles on Parshat HaShavua (some• VAV = 10 + 8 + 7 + 100 + 10 + 5 + 6 = a Ball and chain represents times on the calendar). They are found in 146. Sometimes, a sedra will have two the hard•copy of TT scattered throughout, SIMANIM, as does B'reishit. Mikeitz, Since we started printing the front enslavement in Egypt usually at the bottom of different columns. BTW, has the same SIMANIM as and back pages in color, we havea Davka Graphics of baby Moshe In the electronic versions of TT, they are B'reishit (and, of course, the same number moved the ParshaPix from page 3 floating on the Nile with sister found all together at the end of of thep'sukim). If you were not aware of the to page 2 • to take advantage of Miriam watching over him ParshaPix•TTriddles section. The bestpasuk•count or the SIMANIM, check out the color. And we made it larger, all a solution set submitted each week (therethe tiny print at the end of each sedra. If in the hopes that the Another new Davka Graphics of isn't always a best) wins a double prize ayou don't find it, check another Chumash presentation of the ParshaPix will Moshe at the Bush. Point the CD from Noam Productions and/or a gift • not all have them. For VAYCHI, the encourage more parents andsheep out to your children and (game, puzzle, book, etc.) from Big Deal. count is PEI•HEI (85 p'sukim) and the children (and Shabbat guests) to ask them if they know any of the stories about sheep. Don’t SIMAN is PEH EL PEH, literally, mouth spend time with it as a fun, light Last issue’s (Vaychi) TTriddles: way to review the sedra. Feedback restrict the discussion to Moshe; to mouth. This is how G•d describes His has been positive and we'd like to extend it back to the Avot TTriddles are scattered through the hard method of direct communication with Moshe Rabeinu, in contrast to all other hear from TTreaders who havea See the MATEH, Moshe’s staff? copy of Torah Tidbits and are listed in the interesting stories they might want email and web versions. They are in the prophets, with whom His communicates a Find the three signs that G•d to share with other TTreaders • order in which they are found in the hard via dreams and visions that need gave Moshe to catch Paro’s about TT in general, and about the copy, but not necessarily in the order ininterpretation. Mouth•to• mouth attention. The snake, the hand ParshaPix (and TTriddles) in which they were originally conceived. In resuscitation is an essential part of CPR that turned leprous like snow particular. the wild, they are sometimes overlooked. (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). The (represented by the snowman), If you are interested, go page by page and other main component of CPR is chest a Pyramids = descent into Egypt... and the turning of water into keep your eyes peeled. compression. and are a symbol of slave labor, blood (symbolized by the 4 both ours and other enslaved common bloodtypes: A, B, AB, [1] Moshav Migdal [3] Yosef and the Kohein Gadol and for people. and O). a similar reason Moshav Migdal is located in the Ginosar a Lettuce is MAROR from a theThe goal of the Exodus: the land Valley, Emek Ginosar, which is in theAs we find in Parshat Vaychi, Yosef cried Seder table. It relates to the flowing with milk and honey • Galil, near the Kinneret and Mt. Arbel.after his brothers sent him a message that pasuk which describes theParshat Sh'mot is the first of 14 Emek Ginosar is how Rashi explainstheir father supposedly ordered Yosef to Egyptian’s embittering the lives times the phrase ERETZ ZAVAT AYALA SH'LUCHA, as in NAFTALIforgive his brothers. They made that up of Bnei Yisrael. Lettuce, explains CHALAV occurs. AYALA SH'LUCHA. The because plain they thought he would take the Yerushalmi, is a kind of revenge on them otherwise. In Masechet a Letter with 57.6cm on it is a pun understanding of that term is a deer vegetable that is tasty when Yoma, we find that the members of for Bat Par'o sending her AMA. running free. picked ripe. The longer it stays Sanhedrin who were tending the Kohein in the ground, the more bitter it a And some unexplaineds [2] It's an essential part of CPR and the Gadol during his week of isolation, becomes. That is what happened sign for this week's sedra week training, and refresher courses before to the people of Israel. They The sign of the weekly sedra • SIMAN • Yom Kippur, would administer an oath to started out in Egypt with a good, is found in many printings ofhim, therequiring him to swear that he would sweet life. The longer they Chumash at the end of each sedra,perform the Avoda of Yom Kippur in the stayed in the "ground", the more following the count of the p'sukim. ForBeit HaMikdash according to the exact bitter their lives became. example, after B'reishit (the sedra), youdetails of halacha. They did this because Lettuce, therefore, is very will find printed KUF•MEM•VAV (146), they suspected that the Kohein Gadol appropriate for MAROR the number of p'sukim in the sedra. Then might be a TZADOKI and not do the a That same pasuk continues to it says AMATZYA Y'CHIZKIYAHU.Avoda properly. The Kohein Gadol cried, specify the work with bricks (see ALEF + MEM + TZADI + YUD + HEH says the mishna, because he was being the trowel and bricks) and the = 1 + 40 + 90 + 10 + 5 = 146. YUD + (wrongly • or otherwise) suspected.

e 22 A e 23 A [4] The final word • this week & last GUR ARYEH is the description of + 39 = 792, the issue number of Torahthis case, of the bray of a donkey. Last week's sedra, (which isin V'zot HaB'racha, when it is Moshe who Tidbits. That's the way footer TTriddles correctly referred to as last week's sedra is blessing the tribes. And, the phrase work. This week's TTriddles: from the perspective of Vaychi, when the occurs one other time in Tanach, in the book(let) of Nachum (2:12). [10] The unexplaineds of the [1] Achish is to David as the People are TTriddle was written, rather than for ParshaPix: Sh'mot, when you are reading this to Moshe & Aharon. How so? [7] If JBC had sheep instead of books, Let's take the crossword puzzle first. In TTriddles Report) is M'OD. So too is the they could be... [2] Rabban Gamliel’s third last word of the haftara of Vaychi M'OD. Hebrew, it is called a TASHBEITZ, Judaica Book Centre is located at 5 Even TAV•SHIN•BET•TZADI, which equals [3] Who links Pinchas/ with [5] Two of Yirmiyahu's prophecies and Yisrael Street, Jerusalem, part of the 792 • so this was another footer TTriddle Sh’mot? one of Yaakov's brachot were said Agripas Midrachov, close to King George of the visual type. [4] Fifth word is the first emphatically corner Agripas and down the block from The other unexplained is made up of two Yaffa Road. Sheep instead of books might "On that day [Yaakov] blessed them, images • that of a cluster of grapes and[5] plus the enexplaineds from the make them RO'EH EVEN YISRAEL, a SAYING: '[In time to come] Israel will that of Winnie the Pooh's ParshaPix friend use you as a blessing. They will say, 'May phrase (well, maybe not a phrase, but a EEYORE. Taking them together, we get a G•d make you like Efrayim three•word and sequence) from Yaakov's representation of part of Yehuda's Menashe... (B'reishit 48:20). Saying,bracha to Yosef. description / blessing, from the beginning LEIMOR, is usually [8] Like spelled water in the desert of 49:11 • OSRI LAGEFEN IRO... "He LAMED•ALEF•MEM•REISH. What do loads down his donkey with a [single] we mean by usually? How about over 930 These words would translate into Hebrew grapevine..." The choice of EEYORE as times in Tanach. To spell LEIMOR with a as K'MAYIM BAMIDBAR. Numeric the donkey is more than just "what can we VAV, LAMED•ALEF•MEM•VAV•value: 20 + 40 + 10 + 40 (110 for use for a donkey?" When we just want a REISH is so rare, that its occurrence inK'MAYIM) + 2 + 40 + 4 + 2 + 200 (248 donkey, we've been using the Eddie the pasuk from Vaychi is marked in some for BAMIDBAR) = 358, which is Murphy character from Shrek. But in this Chumashing with an asterisk (or SHIN••CHET, its which rearranges to pasuk, the term in Hebrew is neither equivalent) and a footnote (or side note) NUN•CHET•SHIN, which spells CHAMOR (as appears in the bracha of indicates that the word is spelledNACHASH. For those who tried to solve Yissachar) or ATON, as in Bil'am's atypically with the VAV. The word seems this TTriddle from the list of This Week's donkey. It is IRO, his AYIR, to be stronger than the regular spellingTTriddles that appeared on the website or AYIN•YUD•REISH, which can be read (we are not suggesting this as a the real email version of TT, you probably IYOR, as in EEYORE. In modern explanation, just an impression). Onlydidn't have a clue. In the hard copy of Hebrew, AYIR is the word for the young two other "emphatic" LEIMORs Torah are Tidbits, however, this TTriddle of a donkey. In Biblical Hebrew, it is the found in Tancha • in the bookappeared of on the bottom of the page of the male donkey, as we saw back in Yirmiyahu, in the context of prophecies. "NATURE" column, Torah from Nature, with the animals that Yaakov which was about SNAKES. Besides the sent as an appeasement gift to Eisav. [6] 421 double gimatriya connection, a snake slithering B'reishit 32:16 lists "30 nursing camels Double Brooklyn here means Brooklynalong the desert sand might remind one of with their young (or mates • Rashi based Avenue in the borough of Brooklyn (New water in the desert. Or not. on Midrash), 40 cows, 10 bulls, 20 female York City, New York State, USA, North [9] Has the rain a father?... Iyov 32:28 donkeys (ATONOT), and 10 male America, Western Hemisphere, Earth, our donkeys (AYORIM). The closeness of The whole pasuk is: HAYESH solar system, Milky Way, Universe). 421 this Hebrew word and the name EEYORE LAMATAR AV OH MI HOLID EGLEI Brooklyn Avenue in Brooklyn is the makes one wonder where the TAL: "Has the rain a father? Or who has address of the shul of the Kollel GUR "pessimistic, gloomy, old, depressed begotten the drops of dew?" This is a ARYEH. GUR ARYEH is part of the stuffed" donkey's name came from. An footer TTriddle (we haven't one of those description / blessing by Yaakov of internet search finds that the name is in a while). The gimatriya of this whole Yehuda. It might be of interest to you that onomatopoeic, a sound imitating word, in pasuk is 315 + 279 + 3 + 7 + 50 + 55 + 44 e 24 A e 25 A