|
at MyBukharian.com and Pinhas Rockove, for helping publishing this week’s newsletter.
Please print out this newsletter and say over a great D’var Torah at the Friday night Shabbat table.
If you would like to receive our newsletter every week, click on the ‘Join Our Mailing List’ button (located on the right side column – below the ‘Quick Links’ section and above the ‘Advertisements’ section).
|
|
Parshat Shemot Highlights
First Portion: * Self preservation for Jews in this great, big country is difficult!! How can we guarantee that our children will stay Jewish? How do we protect ourselves from being swept away by the western culture? The inter-marriage in the United States is at a staggering 60%. The illiteracy in basic Jewish knowledge is pathetic and unacceptable.
On Pesach, we read in the Hagada that ” VAYARED MITZRAYMA ANUSE….. The Jews had no choice but to go down to Egypt. VAYAGAR SHAM-and they lived there. Yaacov, our forefather, did not intend to “live there”. There was hunger in the land where Yaacov and his family lived and G-d gave his blessings to go down to Egypt. However, He also said that He will bring them back. Therefore, Yaacov instructed his children not to unpack their bags. “We are just here temporarily” Yaacov said. “After the famine is over, we are taking the first flight out of here”. As a matter of fact, VAYAGAR connotes temporary dwelling as apposed to LEH HISHTAKEYA which implies to live in a place long term. Yosef purposely bought houses for them ONLY in the land of Goshen. One reason for this is so that they should not intermingle with the natives. Another reason is that Goshen is in close proximity to Israel. The plan was to be in and out. The last reason for this is that the land of Goshen was given as a gift to Sarah by Pharoah. Sarah withheld herself from the advances of Pharaoh and thereby elevated herself spiritually. In her merit, the land of Goshen was on a different spiritual plane. When the Mashiach comes, Goshen will be part of ERETZ YISRAEL proper.
Perhaps if the Jews would have stayed in Goshen, in the user-friendly and protective ghetto, they indeed would have been out in a short period of time. However, the Pasuk says (Shemot1,7) “and the Israelites blossomed and prospered and filled the land”. They began to live outside the ghetto, in the heart of where the Egyptians lived, in the center of town.
The Maharal points out that if they would have had the frame of mind that they are going to live in Egypt, they would have never left. The redemption would have never happened. It seems that G-d prefers us to be strangers in other lands. It’s designed that way.
We should not contemplate “are we an American first or a Jew first”. We have to maintain the attitude of our immigrant parents, who, for 40 years always said “we’re going back to Israel soon”. Although they never did, they subconsciously protected themselves from becoming an American and thereby getting too comfortable and making them susceptible to the dangers of losing their Jewishness.
The key is to feel that this is not our land. Our land is Israel. We are strangers here and the goal is to eventually return to our homeland. This frame of mind will protect us. How dangerous it is to talk like them, think like them, enjoy the same foods and entertainment they do. If one doesn’t hang on to his Jewishness, what will prevent him from pursuing the attractive Irish girl in the class. One can be an American. We must, however, act like an immigrant; a perfect stranger.
Second Portion: * Amram, from the tribe of Levi, remarried his ex-wife Yocheved, heeding the advice of their daughter Miriam. They bore a son, Moshe. Amram had initially divorced Yocheved because of Pharaoh’s decree to kill all the Jewish boys. We learn a lesson from the sages; no matter how cruel the world can be, one should not refrain from having children.
* Moshe’s parents hid him in a basket and let it float in the Nile.
* Batya, Pharaoh’s daughter, discovers the child and adopts the Jewish baby. Batya needs assistance, and unknowingly, “drafts” the boy’s biological mother and sister.
* Pharaoh wanted to kill all Jewish baby boys because he was concerned about the predictions of the horoscope. Ironically, the person who was the threat to his kingdom, the one who he’s most afraid of, is unknowingly being raised in his own palace. Who says G-d doesn’t have a sense of humor?!
* The trait 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 out her arm to grab the basket with the infant inside.
Third Portion: “Moshe went out to his brethren and observed their suffering”(Shemot2:11) We see how his personality is developing and how his leadership skills, the intolerance to injustice for instance, is sprouting and maturing. Although other traits are later described, all stem from his fierce longing for justice. Throughout his trials and travails, the spiritual light is being developed through these experiences.
Nachshoni points out a passage from the RAMBAM’S Moreh Nevuchim which is quite fascinating.
“Prophecy begins when a man is divinely guided in the performance of a major good deed, such as delivering a large group of people from attack, saving a highly important person or influencing many persons and guiding them towards righteousness. When an individual is inspired in this way and finds within himself the impetus to act, we say that he has been “cloaked in” and “invested with” a Divine spirit. This such inspiration never departed from Moshe, even once he reached manhood. Through it, he was aroused to kill the Egyptian and to deter the wrongdoer in the quarrel of the two Jews. So strong was it in him, that even after he fled to Midyan, frightened stranger that he was, he could not bare injustice.
Rambam emphasizes that not everyone that has this capacity is a prophet. Rather, whoever G-d chooses has the final say. However, if one is chosen, that alone is the first of the eleven levels of prophecy.
Forth 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. Reasoning that the calf was tired after the chase, he then carried it over his shoulder back to the herd. G-d Said that this is the type of leader He wants to lead the chosen people.
* Much has been written about the burning bush. One “feel good” lesson I read in Or Gadalyahu and actually many commentaries also talk about it. The bush which was on fire but never burnt represents the Israelites; they can be punished and tortured, however they will never be destroyed.
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 which were to notify the elders of Israel that they will leave the perils of slavery and go to the Promised Land. he was then commanded to go to Pharaoh and tell him to “Let my people go”.
* Moshe was concerned, “Perhaps they might not believe me.” To solve this, 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 be jealous of his important position, but G-d assured him Aaron 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 delay performing commandments. In general, better to do something today than procrastinate and do it tomorrow.
* Moshe meets his brother Aaron and tells him the plan of action. They both then meet the elders and reveal the miracles that G-d had instructed him. After seeing them, the people believed him.
Seventh Portion: Pharaoh said, “Who is your G-d that I should listen to him?” responding to Moshe and Aaron’s request.
* Pharaoh imposes tougher working and living conditions on the Israelites because of the “incitement” with Moshe and Aaron.
|
|
Relying on that one day of the week to get your spirits up.
From the lectures of Rabbi Isaac Oelbaum Shli”ta
It’s always important to understand what we are saying in our daily and Shabbat prayers. After all, it’s not lip service. A friend of mine who is currently saying Kadish for his mother, once commented to me how he observed once as he participated in one of those minyan factories, how the chazzan, without a siddur, just rattled off the tefillah like a machine gun, in a monotonous emotionless voice; it was quick and painless. He said that by the time he raised my head from the siddur for a breather, it was over. How many of you readers remember the old Fedex commercials with the fast talking guy?
In the Shabbat morning Amida (Shemoneh Esrai) we read “YISMACH MOSHE BEH MATANAT CHELKO”, Moshe was happy. It would be nice to know exactly what Moshe was happy about; maybe he can share the joy, spread the wealth of happiness!!
By the way, the owner’s father of the bagel place on Main St. in Queens, Joe Amar, who passed away a number of years ago, was a famous singer in Israel in the 1960’s. He had a big hit song singing those words “Yismach Moshe”, please You tube it, if you like Sephardic chazzanut.
It says in tractate Bava Kama(10:2) that G-d was speaking to Moshe and said ” I have a present in my secret chamber and it is Shabbat, and I want to give it to the Jewish people. So please, Moshe, go and bring the good news to them”. It was for this reason that “Yismach Moshe”, that Moshe was ecstatic to be the one to deliver the news.
Well that’s beautiful, but why do we read it on Shabbat morning? The reason is because we received the Torah on Shabbat morning.
In addition, when the Jews were in Egypt, Moshe saw how torturously overworked they were, so he convinced Pharaoh to give them one day off to rest. He reasoned that ” if one wants to maximize the production of his workers, one has to give them a rest. That day was the seventh day, Shabbat. Therefore, Moshe was happy.
This day, Shabbat, which Pharaoh gave them to rest, was a very significant day for them in the spiritual growth and hope for the redemption. They would congregate and read from Megilot (scripts) about how G-d was going to redeem them; it was a very inspirational day. However, when Pharaoh discovered what was being conducted on these Shabbat gatherings (not sure if Chullent was served!!) he discontinued them. After this disclosure, he made them work double on Shabbat with no straw to work with.
Pharaoh overworked the Jews so that they could not even comprehend what Moshe was saying. By not having the Shabbat for inspiration, they inevitably sank into depression. It seems like Shabbat fueled their EMUNA- belief in G-d.
The Mesilat Yesharim states that we are like horses who ride without looking as to what is transpiring to their left and right. We need that one day to rest. We need that one day to break the monotony from our everyday, hectic lifestyle. It’s a day to reflect on what’s happening in our lives. It’s a day to spend time with the family and tell them “I love you”. It’s a day to have a nice meal with loved ones at the Shabbat table with no electronic distractions.
Perhaps this is what Moshe was happy about. He was joyous because of the potential of what one can achieve in improving their quality family life and their spiritual elevation. We hope this happiness of Moshe will rub off on all of us. Amen.
|
The Beauty of Hope 
We all, every once in a while, have had the chance to reflect upon our lives, both the good times that we’ve had and the bad ones. It’s a real pleasure to remember the good and it’s quite important and healthy to try to consciously remember them often.
Human nature is such that G-d gave us the gift of forgetting and therefore those bad memories don’t resurface as often. We also learned that, as the result of the sin of Adam, there is never 100% pleasure; they’re always mixed with a degree of negativity. The same is true with the bad memories; they’re often mixed with some of the most pleasurable moments in life. For example, I don’t have good high school memories. Nevertheless, the time I spent with my parents during that period was unforgettable.
However, recently, after conducting my early Shabbat morning meditation, I discovered surprisingly
pleasurable feeling I had even during those bad times of high school. It was a feeling of tremendous hope, although it never materialized, it had a certain excitement to it.
The Sages teach us (Midrash Raba Bereshit) that everything in life has a certain degree of hope, whether it be preventing hardship, getting help from the merits of our forefathers (a major and effective method of prayer), the pursuit of pleasure of OLAM HABAH, etc. etc. This is the mindset of having a strong feeling of hope that “G-d will provide”.
The SHA’ARAI TESHUVA by Rabbeinu Yona discusses what happens after 120 years when we go up to the heavens to be judged. One of the questions we will be asked, aside from the question of if we learned our daily dosage of Torah, is if we had our daily dosage of hope!!. The Gemarah in Brachot quotes Rav Chanina who says that if one prayed to G-d and had no pleasure in doing so, he should pray again.
The Chida says that even if we’re not worthy of Mashiach coming, if we have the strong urgency of hope, we will merit his arrival.
It is crucial that when we recite the Amida three times daily, to have the feeling of hope in the BRACHA of ET SEMACH AVDECHA. When one reaches the words in that bracha of “KEE LEE SHUATCHA KEH VINU KOL HAYOM-for we HOPE for your salvation all the day”, he should capitalize on the opportunity.
Hope is an important feeling to have and is the essence of survival. It’s a positive energy and one that is vital to possess.
|
|
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.
|
| Kid’s Section
by Rabbi Gedalia Fogel
Hi! This is Rebbe speaking:
In this week’s parsha, Parshat Shemot, we learn the very important concept that through the tzarah (tragedy), comes the yeshua, salvation. Pharaoh commanded that all Jewish boys be thrown into the Nile River. Moshe Rabbeinu was put into a box in the water and Pharaoh’s daughter, Batya, found him and took him home with her to the royal palace. That was how Moshe Rabbeinu was able to have influence on Pharaoh and was eventually able to redeem the Jews from Mitzrayim. Moshe Rabbeinu pleaded on behalf of his Jewish brethren and said to Pharaoh, “The Jews are working too hard.” Pharoah then answered, “Oh, you say they’re working too hard. You’ll see what hard work means!” And he commanded that the Jews make their own cement and carry very heavy bricks. This seems like only bad came out of this. But this was not so. As a result of this hard labor, Pharaoh allowed the Jews to shorten their workday. They were able to join their families earlier in the day. Previously when their work was not as strenuous, their workday was very long.
A prime example of this is the story of Purim. When King Achashveirosh chose Esther as his queen this seemed to be the worst scenario. But it was only through this that Esther was able to save the Jews from the wicked Haman.
In the time of the Bais Hamikdash, the Holy Temple, when one spoke Lashon Hara, evil words against someone else, they received a negah, spot on the wall (clothing or person themselves). When there was a spot on the wall the person had to knock it out. Often they would find a treasure that the Roman’s had hidden in the walls. So this spot turned out to be a savior for them. Through the bad came out good.
Even today, if we look, we can see that many times Hashem brings about the good from what seems bad. Ruth was an artist. She drew beautiful pictures and paintings. One day she awoke to find a pain in her hand. At first she ignored it, but as the days went on the arthritis got worse and worse. She drew and painted with throbbing pain in her right hand. She could barely lift her hand to her head. She made up her mind that she would have it checked out. Before she got a chance to make the phone call, Ruth tripped on the steps in her home and fell. She felt excruciating pain in her right hand. She broke her hand and needed surgery. “What will be with my paintings? If I thought it was bad before, what will be now?” Ruth slowly recovered from her surgery and she miraculously felt completely cured. The arthritis pain she had before the fall was completely gone. Ruth was able to continue her beautiful artwork.
Hurricane Sandy left many without electricity. But one of the main concerns was the Hospitals. NYU Medical Center was without electricity and the patients had to be carefully transferred to nearby hospitals. Pearl lay in the ICU of NYU. She had cancer and there seemed to be no cure for her. They were just observing her and hoping for the best. When the electricity was down, Pearl was transferred to a different hospital. There they looked over Pearl’s records and were astounded. This woman lay in the ICU with no chance at all? They had a surgeon that was willing to try to operate on Pearl. He did just that and Pearl was given a second chance. Shortly after the operation Pearl was transferred to the recovery room and today she is home on her own two feet. I don’t think anyone thought there was any good to the outage in NYU.
When the winds were howling and the rain was coming down, we watched from our windows the trees swaying back and forth. There were many trees that fell in the storm, but did we think for a moment about the chesed, the kindness of Hashem. Hashem created Hurricane Sandy so that people would stay indoors. They would not be hurt when trees in their neighborhood fell. These trees obviously were not strong. They could have fallen on an ordinary day when there were many pedestrians out. Hashem wanted to protect us so he created a storm that would confine people to their homes.
What have we learned today?
Where in past generations do we see that the redemption came about through something that seemed like a tragedy?
Moshe Rabbeinu grew up in the Pharaoh’s palace. Esther HaMalka was sure that it was a curse that she was forced to be Achashveirosh’s wife but was the one that was able to redeem all the Jews from Haman.
How can we strengthen our Emunah, belief in Hashem, in a time of tragedy or strife?
If one finds himself in hard times, he can wallow in sorrow, or he can strengthen himself in belief that this hardship may be a pathway to his salvation.
|
|
|
|
| Dedications |
Mr. and Mrs. Rafi Fouzailoff for peace and unity in the world especially among our Jewish nation
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Gad hatzlacha to all
Anonymous, in honor of our NETS MINYAN AT BET GAVRIEL SHABBAT MORNING
Mr. and Mrs Lev Kimyagarov for refuah shelema of his grandmother Raya bat Frecha
Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Gil in honor of his parents Akiva and Ester Gil MENUCHATAM BEH GAN EDEN
Mr. and Mrs. Joey Alibayof in loving memory of his mother Zulecha Basanda Nurit bat Yaffa, and refuah shelema Shmuel Naaman ben Yael
The Wenger family in loving memory of his father Yisrael ben Moshe may the neshama have an aliya
Anonymous, in honor of Mordechai and Ricki Hafesov for the bar mitzva of their son Gavriel MAZAL TOV!!
Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Nektalov wishing that the parent who lost children in the Newtown massacre would be consoled
Mr. David Bodenhiem in loving memory of his father Naftali ben Avraham MENUCHATO BEH GAN EDEN
Mr.and Mrs. Roman Aminov may G-d grant bracha and we should see an extension of klall Yisrael
Mr.and Mrs. Leo Yonatanov in loving memory of his beloved mother Mira bat Osnat
Mr. and Mrs. Ouri and Nancy Amar for hatzlacha to all of klall Yisrael
Anonymous
REFUAH SHELEMA
Shoshana Roza bat Ester
Shura Yoshua bat Chusni
Frumit bat Esther Malka
|
Donate With PayPal
|
| Your donation of any amount is greatly appreciated. When you donate through PayPal, 100% of money donated will be used for Torah learning.
|
| Shabbat Candle Lighting
Times (NYC) |
 |
|
Candle Lighting 4:23 PM
Havdalah 5:27 PM
|
| ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE |
| 100% OF THE PROCEEDS GO TOWARDS SPREADING MORE TORAH
CALL FOR MORE INFO
917-804-7692
NETS MINYAN AT BET GAVRIEL SHABBAT MORNING!!! |
Find Bukharian Businesses at www.MyBukharian.com
To place your business in My Bukharian Yellow Pages visit mybukharian.com or
|
|
|
|
|
Mention this ad and get
$100 off of your first appointment!!
|
| Find Bukharian Businesses at www.MyBukharian.com
To place your business in My Bukharian Yellow Pages visit mybukharian.com or
|
|
|
|
|
Mention this ad and get
$100 off of your first appointment!!
|
| Find Bukharian Businesses at www.MyBukharian.com
To place your business in My Bukharian Yellow Pages visit mybukharian.com or
|
|
|
|
|
Mention this ad and get
$100 off of your first appointment!!
|
|
|
Leave a Reply