Dedicated in memory of Rachel Leah bat R' Chaim Tzvi Volume 9 Number 45 Brought to you by Naaleh.com Silencing the Supplicant: Parshat Beshalach Based on a Naaleh.com shiur by Mrs. Shira Smiles Summary by Channie Koplowitz Stein In Parshat Beshalach we read how the was telling them to ask for direction what to Rabbi G. Rabinowitz cites Rashi in stating that Egyptians chased after Bnei Yisroel and pray for. The Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh notes two things were necessary for the splitting of fearing imminent death, they called out to that when the Accuser stands before God and the Sea, the merit of our forefathers and faith Moshe. In response, Moshe joined in their points a finger at the supplicant, the supplicant in the Creator. Our Sages instituted the Song prayers and reassured them of Hashem's requires both prayer and additional merit. At of the Sea as part of our daily prayer precisely salvation. Hashem's response to these the Sea, the Accuser stood before God and to remind us daily of the necessity of constant prayers is enigmatic, "Why do you cry out to declared, "These and these [both the Israelites faith in the Creator. With that faith, any sea Me? Speak to the children of Israel and let and the Egyptians] worship idols," why should can be split, from the Reed Sea to the sea of them journey forth! And you lift up your staff You save one at the expense of the other? our daily troubles; without that faith, one and stretch out your arm over the sea and Therefore Bnei Yisroel needed to pray for cannot even cross the threshold of his own split it; and Bnei Yisroel shall come into the direction. By jumping into the Sea, they would home. If you truly believe, demonstrate it in midst of the sea on dry land..." How are we to prove their deep faith in Hashem and thus your daily actions as Nachshon ben Aminodov understand this silencing of our supplications, merit salvation. did at the Sea. As Rabbi S. R. Hirsch points especially since, as the Ner Uziel notes, out, the salvation was ready, but man had to prayer is especially appropriate in times of Rabbi Eisenberger continues to explain that take the first step. distress? the gates of faith are always open even when we are undeserving. If one puts his trust in The Netivot Shalom notes the partnership Sometimes we have our own agenda and Hashem, He returns that trust. Even a thief between God and Man. There may be an pray that Hashem grant us this request who puts his faith in Hashem will not get awakening of activation from Above or instead of asking Him to help us in the way He caught, says Rabbi Bloch. Bnei Yisroel needed initiation that begins below. The redemption deems best. Rabbi Bick notes that it seems an act of faith in addition to their prayers. from Egypt was totally from Above. However, Bnei Yisroel were expecting some sort of Nachshon ben Aminodov jumped into the Sea, the splitting of the Sea required initiation from military victory or sudden death of the but he did not stop praying even as the waters below through an act of faith. It required us Egyptian hordes. Hashem's response was approached his very soul. Only then did moving beyond our nature, someone jumping that they were praying for the wrong thing. Hashem split the waters. We always need to into the Sea to be the catalyst for salvation. Move forward and see what My plan is. I will daven for Hashem's mercy, but we never know Sometimes in our lives prayer alone is not split the sea, and watch what will become of when the Accuser has closed the gates of enough. We too must demonstrate self the Egyptians. Rabbi Bick explains why mercy. Therefore, we need to constantly -sacrifice and move out of our comfort zones, making matches is often compared to splitting demonstrate our complete faith in Hashem and even as we continue to pray, in order to the Sea People often request that Hashem in His salvation. How often does our davening activate the forces from Above. give them a specific match. The appropriate suffer, as we focus on an important business prayer is to ask Hashem to match one to a meeting during our prayers? Do your hishtad- When we can pray for the ability to sacrifice, suitable partner which may often be very lut (efforts), but put your faith in God. Yes, our for the purity and joy of Yiddishkeit, for the different from what one has initially visualized. heartfelt prayers full of faith have the potential ability to sanctify His Name throughout our to be extremely effective, but because it is so lives, Hashem will not silence our supplica- The Chasam Sofer suggests that Hashem did easy to be distracted, writes the Aish Tomid, tions, but will split the impossible sea for us. not stop Bnei Yisroel from praying. Rather He we must also demonstrate our faith through our actions. Shidduchim: How to Find Your Soul Mate Based on a Naaleh.com shiur by Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller The Maharal tells us that there are two kinds daughter will marry this man.” This is an area and she went to live with her eldest sister. Her of hanhagot or relationships with which where Hashem reveals His presence. daughter, my mother’s niece, became her best Hashem conduct this world. The first is in friend, although she was a lot younger than accordance with the laws set forth in creation. When you ask your parents how they met, her. It was only after her niece got engaged You don’t have to doubt if gravity is still there’s always a story behind it. I’ll give you an that my mother realized where she was in life. working. It’s there and it’s unlikely to change. example of my own parents meeting each She decided she had to get married. She lost We call this teva or hashgacha klalit. The other. My mother came from what she weight and got some new clothes. That second type of hanhaga is specific and considered a well -balanced family. She was summer she took a bungalow with some defined intervention which we call hashgacha the youngest and in no hurry to get married. girlfriends at the seashore. At same time my pratit. The Maharal’s quintessential example She loved her parents, she liked being home, father, whose family had never taken a is a shidduch (match) where a heavenly voice she enjoyed her nieces and nephews. Her bungalow before, also rented a place there. calls out, “Ploni l’bat ploni, this man’s parents died in quick succession of each other My father was in no rush to get married either. Continued on Page 2 Help support Naaleh by searching the web! For more information visit www.iGive/Naaleh.com & www.iSearchiGive/Naaleh.com visit us online at: www.naaleh.com | for questions, suggestions, or dedication opportunities, email [email protected] 1 Dedicated in memory of Rachel Leah bat R' Chaim Tzvi Volume 9 Number 45 Brought to you by Naaleh.com Shidduchim: How to Find Your Soul Mate Based on a Naaleh.com shiur by Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller Continued from Page 1 He wanted to establish himself financially first. The Rambam tells us that Hashem hardened and beyond our choices. Yes, Pharoah chose His parents were immigrants. He needed to his heart as a result of the many choices he his role. But Hashem would have performed demonstrate to himself that he had gone past had made earlier. If a person does many the miracles in Egypt no matter what. If them. Divine providence steered my parents negative things, the worst punishment that will Pharoah wouldn’t have chosen the way he did to meet each other and they got married that happen is that Hashem will use him to be the and ended up as Hashem’s staff, there would summer. They were both 40 years old. WWII stick that hits. He’ll harden the person’s heart. have been someone else. It’s worth it to be the broke out shortly after. My father was sent to The Ramchal teaches that Hashem interacts one that Hashem chooses for good things and the European theater. It was years before with us in two different ways. The first is called not evil things. That’s where human effort they were reunited. I was born when my hanhagot hamishpat, the way of justice. comes in. Rav Elyashiv stated unequivocally mother was 46. Whatever we do draws down a response. The that finding a mate is an area where you have second is called hanhagot hayichud , to make the most efforts although your efforts We have to realize that divine providence and Hashem’s interaction with us that leads are the least relevant. You have to make human effort are not a contradiction. It says towards our seeing His involvement and choices that show you are ready to accept. explicitly in the Torah that Hashem hardened singularity within the world. Hashem created Hashem has someone for you anyway. He can Pharaoh’s heart. It appears he was an the world so that we may know Him. Therefore bring that person to you however He sees fit. innocent victim. Why then was he punished? He will do things to make things happen above But you have to be open to it. Respecting G-d Based on a Naaleh.com shiur by Rabbi Ari Jacobson In the Sefer Chassidim, Rabbi Yehuda fact, if the first two aspects were missing, as can effectively remember the aforementioned Hachassid admonishes those who recite long as the third aspect of kavanah was kavanot.