Spark of Jewish Experience

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* We start the book of Shemot many years later from when we concluded in the book of Bereshit. In fact, at this juncture, all 70 souls that came down to Egypt with our father, Yaacov, have passed on. As long as they were alive, a protected spiritual level was maintained.

* The book begins by reciting the 12 sons of Yaacov, the basis of the structure of our people.

* The Jews were multiplying six-fold. Sources pinpoint they were eating tiny fish and that’s what enabled them to be more fertile. It is suggested today to eat sardines if one has fertility problems.

* A new king arose; some say it was the same king. Regardless, our sages emphasize one cannot trust the non-Jew. All the good and dedication Joseph did for Pharaoh and the Egyptians were disregarded, and the hatred towards our ancestors intensified; a valuable lesson to be learned.

* The Egyptians forced the Jews into slavery with hard labor.

* Pharaoh foresaw in his horoscope that in this time period, a Jew would be born who would rise up and destroy him. He therefore ordered all Jewish newborn males to be put to death.

Second Portion

* Amram, who was from the tribe of Levi, remarried Yocheved, at the advice of their daughter Miriam, and produced a son Moshe. He divorced her because of the decree of Pharaoh of killing Jewish boys. We learn from the sages a lesson; no matter how cruel the world can be, one should not refrain from having children.

* Moshe’s parents hide him in a basket and let it float in the Nile.

* Batya, Pharaoh’s daughter, out of all people, discovers the child and adopts the Jewish baby and gets the help, not knowing of the boy’s biological mother and sister.

* In essence, Pharaoh wanted to kill all Jewish baby boys because he was concerned with the predictions of the horoscope. It’s funny, but the person, the threat to his kingdom, the one who he’s most afraid of, not knowingly, is being raised in his own palace. Who says G-d doesn’t have a sense of humor.

* The act of kindness was evident in Batya, Pharaoh’s daughter, who saved the little Jewish infant. She called him Moshe; it describes the act in which she stretched her arm to grab the basket, which the infant was in.

Third Portion

* Moshe grows up in the palace. One day he kills an Egyptian after witnessing him beat a Jew. The next day, unfortunately, some of his fellows Jews were fighting with each other; they threaten to tell the Egyptian authorities about the killing, after Moshe intervened.

* Moshe flees Egypt after Pharaoh hears what happened and orders to kill him.

* After a number of stops, Moshe ends up in Midyan where he meets and marries Tziporah, the daughter of Yitro who was once Pharaoh’s advisors, but fell out of favor with him.

* Moshe was criticized by G-d for not disclosing to Tziporah’s family that he was a Jew. One should be proud of his Jewish heritage.

* Tziporah gives birth to a son to Moshe, and is named Gershom.

Fourth Portion

* Moshe worked for his father-in-law as a shepherd. One day, a little calf runs away from Moshe’s flock. After trying to catch it, Moshe finds the calf drinking water. He then realizes that the calf was thirsty and was looking for the pond. Rationalizing that the calf was tired after the chase and drinking, he then carried it over his shoulder, back to the herd. G-d said this is the type of leader I want to lead the chosen people.

* G-d appears to Moshe at the burning bush and tells him you will lead my people out of Egypt.

Fifth Portion

* Moshe at first refused to take the position because he thought he was unqualified, but G-d refused to take no for an answer. G-d then proceeded to give him instructions to notify the elders of Israel that they will leave the perils of slavery and go to the Promised Land. You then shall go to Pharaoh and tell him “Let my people go”.

* Moshe was concerned, “Perhaps they might not believe me.” So G-d instructed Moshe to perform three signs to show his legitimacy, one of which was to take his staff and throw it to the ground and it will turn into a snake. This was a sign to show that G-d has the power to take something that has no life and make it into a living being.

* Moshe was concerned that his older brother might get jealous of his authoritative position, but G-d assured him he would be very happy for Moshe.

Sixth Portion

* On the way to Egypt, G-d attempts to kill Moshe for not performing the commandment of brit milah on his son. His wife Tziporah immediately grabs a sharp stone and cuts her baby’s foreskin. We learn a lesson never to delay performing commandments. In general, better do something today than procrastinate for tomorrow.

* Moshe meets his brother Aaron and tells him the plan of action. They both then meet the elders and reveal the miracles G-d had instructed him, and the people believed him.

Seventh Portion

* Pharaoh said, “Who is your G-d that I should listen to him?” after Moshe and Aaron approached him.

I’ve been writing since 5:15 this morning and in about 5 minutes, at 6:30, my neighbor – like he does every morning – will start and warm up his car for four minutes and head out for Shacharit (morning Prayer). This is then followed by learning of the Daf Yomi (learning a page a day of Talmud). This is my neighbor’s daily morning routine. One can set your clocks to that regiment.

I have no schedule. It all depends on my preparations for my shiurim, lectures, and articles for their deadlines. I could be up till 3:00 in the morning one time and one day get up, like today at 5:15 am. I guess one can say ‘we neighbors have two contrast lifestyles’. Apparently, because of my unpredictable nature, the morning Shacharit services are often figured out as I’m walking out the door. Thank G-d for the many minyanim that are found in Kew Garden Hills and Forest Hills that I often choose from and make the necessary combinations. But unfortunately, sometimes one arrives late to prayer services. What should he do? Should he join the congregation at the place where they are holding, or should he start from the beginning?

The Mechaber (Rav Yosef Caro, author of the Shulchan Aruch) says it depend on his tardiness. He should say a few tefilot quickly in order to catch up to the chazzan. Preferably, baruch she’amar and 1 or 2 of the halelukas (et Hashem min hashamayim, kel bekadsho,) at the bare minimum, followed by vayevarech david and az yashir. It’s important to say yishtabach because that ends off the bracha of baruch she’amar. Yotzer Or should definitely be recited. He stresses the importance to be on in sync with everybody else in the minyan. Later on, one can catch up saying the other prayers.

The Mishna Brurah, who brings many opinions, mentions the Chacham Tzvi who disagrees. He says it’s important to say the entire tefilah in its entirety and in order. The Chacham Tzvi was known to take a more kabalistic approach. The philosophy of his and the Mechaber are quite different.

What’s important to note is that one must consult his or her Rabbi. It’s his decision that should be followed. I recommend, regardless of which opinion one follows, one should grab a large cup of delicious coffee after the morning prayer service.