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Chassidut on the Torah |
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The week of Shemot, 5762 Overview At the beginning of Shmos (Numbers 1:1-6:1), the Egyptians afflicted the Jews with forced physical labor, and decreed drowning all Jewish newborn males. Moshe was born. His mother hid him in a basket in the Nile, where he was discovered and adopted by Pharaoh's daughter. One day, when already adult, Moshe killed and buried an Egyptian supervisor who beat a Jew. The next day, realizing his deed was public knowledge, Moshe fled to Midian where he married one of Yisro's daughters, Tzipporah, and they had a son, Gershom. The Jews cried to G-d because of the slavery. G-d's angel appeared to Moshe in the form of a burning bush. G-d told Moshe that he would redeem the Jews, and that Moshe should relay this to Pharaoh and to the Jews, even though Pharaoh would not agree to let the Jews go. Moshe begged G-d to appoint a messenger besides himself. G-d decided that Aharon, Moshe's brother, should be Moshe's spokesman. Moshe began his return journey to Egypt with his wife and sons. Tzipporah circumcised their second son, Eliezer, when stopping at an inn. In Egypt, the Jewish elders listened to Moshe, saw the signs, and believed in G-d's promise to free them. But after approaching Pharaoh, Moshe and Aharon were rebuked and thrown out of the palace. Pharaoh instructed to harden the Jews' labor. The foremen blamed Moshe for the Jews' misfortune. Moshe told G-d that the situation had worsened. G-d answered that in the end, Pharaoh would force the Jews to leave his land. Insights In this week's Torah portion, Moshe is first mentioned. A pivotal event in the life of Moshe was his killing of an Egyptian to protect a fellow Jew. When two other Jews alluded to the event during an argument with Moshe, the verse says: Moshe "was afraid" and said, "Therefore, it is known." The next verse states, "And Pharaoh heard…and Pharaoh wanted to kill Moshe, and Moshe escaped." If every word in the Torah is precious, why does the Torah have to mention that Moshe became afraid. His fear seems to have been irrelevant at the time, since he did not escape until later forced to by Pharaoh. If so, why does the Torah add this detail? The Midrash answers this question by saying that Moshe's fear was actually that the Jews were unworthy of being redeemed due to their lack of unity, as displayed by the threatening manner the two other Jews acted towards Moshe. This explanation is indeed true, yet, according to the straightforward meaning of the verses, Moshe's fear is described at the earlier confrontation rather than upon Pharaoh's discovery. In his book of collected talks, vol. 36, the Rebbe brings an amazing short story as an answer. When the 3rd Chabad Rebbe, the Tzemach Tzedek, was asked to arouse divine mercy on behalf of a very ill person, the Rebbe answered "Think good, and it will be good!" This is the foundation of our having trust and confidence in G-d. Just thinking positively causes positive outcomes. This is a common Torah concept. King David says in Psalms (source?), "He who trusts in G-d, kindness will surround him". In other primary texts (R' Bachya, Sefer Ha'Ikrim), the instructions are clear: Trusting in G-d brings His overt kindness to a person, even an undeserving one. The Torah is teaching us that it was incumbent upon Moshe to trust in G-d that no ill would come to him as result of his protecting another Jew. In fact, it was Moshe's fear that caused, "And Pharaoh heard", and the ensuing events. If Moshe had had the required complete trust, and not concerned himself with who knew what, this would have caused only good to be revealed. May we each remember this teaching at the right times. Let us all replace our troubled thoughts with happy ones and bring the revealed goodness in our lives! I am reminded about a conversation with Rabbi Schneur Zalman Gafni, in which he counseled me with the verse: "Ki b'simcha taytze'u"-'With happiness you will go out'-meaning that with (an attitude of) happiness, you will go out (from your difficulties)! Shabbat Shalom, Shaul For our many friends who have pledged tzedakah to Ascent over the last year, this is your last chance not to lose your tax deduction! In addition, Ascent is starting a capitol campaign for a major building expansion. All Ascent friends who are interested in helping should be in touch at one of the above contact numbers/addresses. ***Jewish and single? Contact www.mitmazel.com for matchmaking services. We succeed!*** Shabbat Shalom, Shaul |
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