Tag Archive for Importance of Life

Parshat Shemot

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Spark Of Jewish Experience
  Shemot

January 12, 2012
17 Teves, 5772

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In This Issue
Parshat Shemot Highlights
Parshat Shemot – Value Each Moment of Life
Modern Workforce, Old Concept
The Morning Rush Hour

Parshat Shemot Highlights
First Portion

* 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.

* Pharaoh imposes tougher working and living conditions on the Israelites because of the provocation with Moshe and Aaron.

Parshat Shemot – Value Each Moment of Life

            One of the books I quote quite often is Rav Chaim Shmuelevitz, ‘Sichot Mussar’. 25 years ago, I diligently read his schmooze (divrei Torah) from his book every Friday night after the meal, and it made quite an impression. The key to one being better prepared in his endeavors is that one has to apply what he has learned from different sources, whether it is from books, teachers, parents, or everyday life. But sometimes situations in life are not so clear-cut, and it’s hard to apply the lesson. Although I believe I made the right crucial decision based on Rav Chaim’s words of wisdom on this particular divrei Torah towards my father when he was between life and death, it was not so simple.

Rav Chaim asks, “What is the true meaning of life?” We visualize life as joy and pleasure and we talk about the things worth living for. However, in our superficial view, we overlook something important, life itself.

The sages tell us Pharaoh asked three of his top advisers what should be the faith of the Jewish people. Yitro, after warning Pharaoh not to mess with these people, fled, because he sensed a growing displeasure on the king’s face toward his advice; one adviser Bilam, said to kill them and one adviser Iyov kept silent. For their advice, they each got what they deserved; Bilam’s punishment was being killed in battle. Iyov’s punishment was that he received pain and suffering for his silence. Yitro, who fled in protest, was merited that his descendants would sit in the Sanhedrin (Judges among Israel).

Rav Chaim asks, “Why was evil Bilam, who advised to kill them, given a swift and merciful death, while Iyov who was guilty of just being silent, was subjected to pain and suffering?”

Bilam indeed received the more severe punishment. In our view of life, we fail to understand that although Iyov suffered, he continued to live, while this gift of life was taken away from Bilam. This perhaps, is best conveyed in King David’s cry “G-d has caused me to suffer greatly but He has not given me over to death (Tehilim 118:18)”. Life itself is a gift and there is so much to do.

The sages say one is not allowed to walk in a cemetery with his tzitzit (fringes that a Jewish male wears daily) outside. One has to tuck it into his pants. This is because the dead might get jealous that they are unable to perform the daily life commandments that are bestowed on the living.

When my father was hospitalized, they wanted us to sign a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) form where it states that if he will not be able to breathe on his own, he should not be revived. I refused, remembering the words of Rav Chaim of how precious an extra moment of life can be. I believed there might be a glimmer of hope that he would regain consciousness, even for a short period of time. It would have been incredible if indeed he would have survived and been able to bless us or put on tefillin one last time.

The argument to sign the DNR is also a valid one. The question is always asked, where is the quality of life? What happens if someone ends up on life support for years and many of the brain functions destroyed? What then? Does Rav Chaim’s rule apply?

There are a few big well-respected rabbis in the world who can shoulder the responsibility of a question of this magnitude. They can be of great assistance in those difficult times. It’s not an easy matter. Unfortunately, a number of us flirt with the possibility of being faced with similar situations with our loved ones. I only hope with G-d’s help the reader will be well prepared.

Perhaps we all should take lesson and live life to the utmost capability.

Modern Workforce, Old Concept
   

Something interesting occurred in this week’s parsha. The mastermind of the Egyptians’ governing body cleverly designed a plan where the Jews would be so overly exhausted and therefore won’t be able to pick up their heads and realize their situation. What was this ingenious brainstorm that kept the Jews at bay? Well, guess what, it’s similar to the modern revised workforce of today’s America.

Pharaoh instructed his enforcers to make the men do traditional women’s tasks and the females doing what the males were accustomed in performing. By the time the end of the day arrived, both genders were psychologically exhausted. The chores of the day threw them off focus, off balance, and made them lose their identity, to the extent they were unable to verbalize their feelings.

The plan of the Egyptian caused Jews to be scarred where they were labeled as unworthy to enter Israel because of their slave mentality. It was only their children who were cleansed in the desert who were allowed to enter the Promised Land.

Obviously, they were unprepared for the role reversal, for if they were, maybe it would be an entire different ball game.

Similarly today, there is a change in the traditional gender jobs. Plus, there is a slow shift where the traditional male breadwinner has also changed. Women, in some homes, now bring home the bacon…ooops I mean the brisket. Men were not made to stay home and women prefer to be at home at least for some of the time.

Both men and women whom have fallen into this predicament must have strong character to find respect in themselves and their spouses. It’s not easy; one should know they are both in good company. One has to have strong self-esteem to withstand any criticism. One of the major factors in saving marriages in these situations is falling into the traditional male, female religious role. Men make kiddush, hamotzi, and learn traditional male scriptures, while women do the same by lighting candles, etc. This will enable the genders to fall back on the things that are most natural.

Making adjustments is an art. It says G-d doesn’t create a problem without the remedy. We have to be aware of the changes in society; one has to lower their pride for the sake of the family and be aware that changes are inevitable.

The Morning Rush Hour
   

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.

Sincerely,
Rabbi Avi Matmon
Spark of Jewish Experience