Dedicated in memory of Rachel Leah bat R' Chaim Tzvi Volume 9 Number 46 Brought to you by Naaleh.com Parshat Yitro: Riveting Reminders Based on a Naaleh.com shiur by Mrs. Shira Smiles Summary by Channie Koplowitz Stein After hearing about all the miracles Hashem lands, but in all our difficulties and challenges Midian, he could do nothing for Bnei Yisroel, wrought for Bnei Yisroel, Yitro, Moshe's we must remember that the "One is my God, but through the names he gave his sons, he father-in-law, goes to join them. He brings the God of my father" Who will always be with kept their situation always at the forefront on along Moshe's wife and two sons. The Torah me to save me. The Lekach Tov cites the his consciousness. mentions the names of the sons and again Chofetz Chaim z”l and Rabbi Feinstein z’l, that explains the reasoning behind them: "The Moshe was living with Yitro in an alien culture. The Minchat Michoel explains that we are all name of one was Gershom, for he had said, 'I Naming his son Gershom would be a constant strangers in this world until we reach our final was a stranger in a strange land,' and the reminder to retain their separateness. Only destination in the World to Come. If we name of one was Eliezer, for 'the God of my after Moshe saw that he could do so did he remember this, we will not waste our limited father came to my aid and He saved me from feel comfortable thanking Hashem for His help. time. This is how the Shlah Hakadosh the sword of Pharaoh.' " Why are the names If he and the Jewish people had become interprets the term am haaretz, someone who and their explanation repeated when we were assimilated, we would not have been worthy of is "a man of the land (earth)". He considers already told, at least of Gershom almost salvation. Indeed, this is the message for all of himself only of this world, without contemplat- exactly the same words in Parshat Shemot. us to maintain our Jewish identity wherever we ing the effects his actions have on the future Secondly, it would seem that the first son find ourselves. This was the promise of world. In the Ten Utterances Hashem speaks should be called Eliezer, for Moshe was able Hashem to Avraham Avinu, your descendants to us in the singular, "I am Hashem your to flee successfully from Pharaoh after Moshe will be strangers in a strange land but they will (personal, singular) God Who took you killed the Egyptian. Only then did he reside as never lose their identity, and then I will redeem (yourself) out of Egypt." It is the presence of a stranger in Midian. Finally, each is referred them writes the Limudei Nissan. God in our lives that makes our lives in this to in the Hebrew as "the one", rather than "the world meaningful. one" and "the other". Yet, we are still told that This very same message is alluded to in the the placement of these verses here is an first of the Ten Commandments, contends the Moshe named each of his children as an appropriate introduction to the first of the Ten Netivot Shalom. It's not just that we accept individual. "One was named... and one was Commandments Hashem as our God, but also that we named..." Just as Hashem sees the unique- constantly remember that He took us out of ness of each of us, so did Moshe view his Ramban provides a simple explanation. Now, Egypt, and that He can take us out of any exile children, writes the Be'er Moshe. As parents when all the dangers are past, is an appropri- or situation. It is this Utterance that helps us and as teachers, we must also see the ate time to thank Hashem for all the good He stay focused on anticipating the salvation, and uniqueness of each of our children, adds the has done. And now Hashem has informed it is this name that Moshe constantly said to Mikdash Halevi. Each child reflects a different Moshe that those who wished to kill him were himself as a mantra to remember that he is aspect of Hashem. Our job is to uncover it, no longer alive. Only now could Moshe feel he always the Ivri, the one who is different, the nurture it, and point it in the right direction. was no longer a fugitive. Therefore, naming stranger awaiting Hashem's salvation, writes his first son Gershom and his second son the Birkat Mordechai. That is why Man was created as a single Eliezer is indeed the appropriate order. entity, adds Rabbi Wolbe z”l. And that's why The Siach Yosef notes that one of the 48 this passage is a perfect introduction to These names were not just for Moshe's son aspects through which one can acquire Torah receiving the Torah. The words were spoken to but a constant reminder of Hashem's help to is through truly feeling the pain of another. each of us as individuals in a way we could Bnei Yisroel writes the Menachem Zion. Our Rabbi Wolbe z”l points out that even if you can hear to fulfill our unique roles. nation will constantly be strangers in strange do nothing substantive to help someone, you can always pray for him. When Moshe was in 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 46 Brought to you by Naaleh.com Shidduchim: How to Find Your Soul Mate Based on a Naaleh.com shiur by Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller How do you find the right match? If you’re It’s much easier for a baal teshuva to marry a Both came from a country where Jewish fortunate enough to have proactive parents, baalat teshuva who will know where her education was not available. The husband was you can assume they have your benefit in husband is coming from and how to relate to fortunate that when he came to the States his mind and are able to convey to others who his non -observant family. The same holds true parents enrolled him in a yeshiva. But the girl’s you are, what sort of person you are looking in reverse. It’s easier to marry someone from a parents didn’t. They were happily married but for, and what you would need to build a home. similar economic background because your he was something of a scholar and she hadn’t Your parents will know what isn’t good for you. ideas of what necessities and luxuries are will quite mastered the Hebrew alphabet yet. They could screen for you and investigate, so be less conflicted. This is only if neither one of When they ate he said the blessing out loud that when you are finally sitting across the you is walking away from that style and she answered amen. They’re both fine. table, you could know at least externally that consciously. So if you have two people who The day will come when she will be able to this is a person who might be suitable. That come from a simple background and she says, pray on her own and she’ll know more and puts you ten steps ahead of the game. “I like not being drowned in all sorts of fancy they are making efforts to make it happen. But nonsense., while he says, “I like space and if you take two people who might even be on Now if you have people banging down the luxury.” It’s not going to be easy for either of the same level at the moment, but are going door waiting to suggest matches for you, you them. somewhere different, problems may arise. For need to have some idea what sort of person instance people sometimes like to fix up a new would be good for you in order to choose Both of them should want the same religious baalat teshuva with someone from an correctly. If we examine the teachings of our lifestyle, so that you don’t have one person observant family who isn’t so observant sages, we find that the most significant aspect striving to go further from where the other anymore. At the moment, they might be on the is compatibility or similarity. When you have person wants to go. It doesn’t mean they have same level. But his plan for the next five years that, it’s much easier to form common goals to be on the same level at the moment, might be to stay where he is or maybe do even and to communicate. If you’re different, it although it makes it easier. But it does mean less. Her plan is to move forward. There has doesn’t mean it’s never going to work. But they have to at least want the same goals. to be commonality of vision if not commonality then there has to be greater flexibility and a of exactitude in practice. willingness to work hard on the marriage. I once had a very charming couple as guests. Respecting G-d Part II Based on a Naaleh.com shiur by Rabbi Ari Jacobson In Seif beit, the Kitzur notes that when one doesn’t fulfill the commandments, it says if one “Melech sheHashalom shalo, the King to recites a blessing one’s mouth should be is not meticulous in fearing the awesome and whom peace belongs.” empty, free of excess saliva.