Spark of Jewish Experience

at MyBukharian.com and Pinhas Rockove, for helping publishing this week’s newsletter.

First Portion: JEWISH PRIDE!!!!  One cannot help but to get excited when reading Parshat Beshalach. G-d showed Pharaoh and the Egyptians who’s boss!! Then we made our long antici-pated exodus out of Egypt. The Israelites left with pride and dignity; they left by daylight and not sneaking out at night; we left when G-d wanted, not when Pharaoh wanted. G-d took pride in us and took us out in first class; HE chose the Jewish people to be his ambassadors in this world; we are the reason the world exist.

 

Mark Twain, a classic American writer, had anti-Semitic views which were quite well known, as he wrote numerous unsavory articles about the Jews. However, he was quite impressed with their accomp-lishments. Twain writes, and I paraphrase, “many empires came and went, however, the Jews, despite all the persecution they’ve encountered in history, not only survived but their contributions to the world dwarf many other.

 

It’s evident that G-d wants us to be his ambassadors, He took us out of Egypt with pride, HE split the sea – one of the most astonishing acts in history, and finally, the revelation at Mount Sinai. In fact, we read at the Seder on Pesach when we sing DAYENU, EILU KEREVANU LIFNAI HAR SINAI VELO NATAN LANU ET HATORAH DAYENU – “If You, Hashem, just gave us the opportunity to stand at Mount Sinai and not even given us the Torah that would have been enough”. Just the ability to stand with pride at Mount Sinai brought on a level of spiritual high; it raised us above the rest. The fact that we got the Torah, the fact that we got the ultimate prize, should make us feel very good about ourselves.

 

However, with the superiority comes responsibility. The world looks at us with a magnifying glass. A survey was taken by the New York Times as to what graced the headlines most frequently. Unequivocally, besides for the USA, Jews and the State of Israel were the most frequent in the past forty years!

 

We are Jews and we’re number 1……Let’s hold our heads high…and be proud!!

 

* We see the selflessness and the leadership skills of Moshe. While the Israelites were busy with their personal needs in leaving Egypt, Moshe

retrieved the bones of Yosef to be brought to the Promised Land as had been promised.

 

* G-d led them out guided by the Cloud of Glory, which was chosen to be their tour guide until they reached the land of Israel.

 

* Pharaoh, once again, has a change of heart and declares that they must return. He unleashes his army, including 600 elite chariots, and chases after the Israelites.

 

Second Portion: * The Israelites were afraid as they saw the Egyptian army in tremendous unison.

 

* In his assurance to the Israelites, Moshe said ”you shall not see them again”. “Their status of superpower will be taken away and they will never be a threat again.” The Rambam (Maimonides), who lived in Egypt for a period of time, mentioned in his writings that that he lived in Egypt. He writes, “I am transgressing the commandment of ‘it’s forbidden for Jews to travel or live in Egypt on a permanent basis”’. One of the sources for this commandment is found here, ”you shall not see them again”. It’s astonishing how there was a thriving Jewish community in Alexandria many years back, which hosted one of the biggest Synagogues in Jewish history (5000 seats). The Rabbi had to raise a flag indicating that the congregants should say Amen.

 

Third Portion: * The Israelites, who had the sea in front of them and the Egyptians chasing behind them, were ordered and reassured by Moshe, via G-d, to jump into the water, for it will split and you will walk on dry land.

 

* In one of the most amazing moments in history, Moshe raised his rod as ordered by G-d and the sea split!

 

* G-d said to Moshe, “My name will be glorified through Pharaoh and the Egyptian army; the Egyptians will be in fear, for they will know that I am G-d”. Who will be in fear? Is it the people who stayed behind in Egypt? The ones that will be in fear are none other than the Egyptian army before they perished at sea. G-d said that it is worth it to split the sea merely to have the Egyptians soldiers realize the truth as the waters come together sealing their death. After all, how often does one have the opportunity to clearly see the truth?

 

* The Israelites walked through the sea on a dry surface with walls of water to the left and right of them.

 

* The Egyptian army pursued the Israelites, going through the water.

 

Fourth Portion: * After the last of the children of Israel walked through the sea, and as the whole Egyptian army were now positioned between the walls of water, G-d ordered Moshe to raise his hands once more and the water will go back to its original state. Moshe did as G-d commanded and the Egyptian army was decimated.

 

* After seeing the miraculous events that G-d had done on their behalf, the Israelites had the ultimate belief in G-d and they reciprocated by singing a song, ”Az Yashir”.

 

* This is the most famous of the ten songs found in the scripture.

 

* There are a number of hints in the Torah about the redemption. ”Az Yashir”, i.e. “then he will sing”. The commentaries question that it should say Az Shar – and then he sang. It means, they deduce, that he will sing in the future, in the Messianic era.

 

* Another explanation of ”Az Yashir” is that Moshe’s singing came naturally; it wasn’t forced. Singing is the ultimate form of appreciation that one can give G-d.

 

* Many recite this song when in need of a mate and for Parnassa (livelihood). It says that it’s harder for G-d to match two people for marriage than it is the splitting of the sea. The fact that match finding and Az Yashir are linked together hints that there is tremendous merit for reciting, particularly for this purpose.

 

* We learn a lesson from Miriam, Moshe’s sister. She gathered the women and they danced amongst themselves separately  from the men. Our Jewish mothers and ancestors throughout history, in every continent, took pride in their modest behavior.

 

* To maintain trust in G-d is brought out in these passages through the laws of ‘Chok’ (laws that have no reason, it just has to be done). At Marah, one of the stops the Jews made after leaving the sea, the water was bitter. G-d told Moshe to place the bitter tree into the bitter water and it will turn sweet. There was no logic (as opposed to the cases in Parshat Mishpatim); just do it, no questions asked.

 

Fifth Portion: * G-d introduces us to Mann, His heavenly food. Mann has characteristics of Olam Habah; it has no side effects and no relieving of you is necessary. The more spiritual one got, the better the Mann tasted. It can taste like any food you desire.

 

* This is another sign of G-d’s power. Even in the wilderness, G-d provides and serves His people like they’re in heaven.

 

Sixth Portion: * Every morning, Mann was “placed at the doorstep along with the morning paper”.

 

* It was not delivered on Shabbat. However, on Friday there would be a double portion.

 

* Shabbat represents Olam Habah and the bread (that we say Hamotzi on) represents the Mann. This is one of the reasons why we cover the challah. If one notices, every Jewish home has a tablecloth for their Shabbat table. One reason, besides being fancy-shmancy! is that we replicate how the Mann came down to our ancestors covered with a top and a bottom layer (the tablecloth).

 

Seventh Portion:  * After all the open miracles that happened to the Jews, there was a certain respect which the nations of the world had for the Israelites who represented G-d. It goes without saying that today, when the Jews have the Torah, they represent G-d as well. So when someone starts up with the Jews, they actually start up with G-d. Fresh from one of the most miraculous, hands-on, G-dly events in history, the Amalek nation had the audacity to wage war with G-d’s representatives, the Jews, and in the process desensitized the nations of the world from the awe of G-d. For this reason, Amalek is despised by G-d and orders the Israelites to wipe them out.

In this week’s Parsha, we rid ourselves of Pharaoh and of Egypt as we leave and start our journey to the Promised Land. It was a monumental event and one that we remember often in our prayers and holidays.

If one is sensitive and smart enough, he will realize that man is here on earth for a very brief time and is given opportunities to accomplish his mission. While he’s working on fulfilling his goals, he is provided with nourishment to sustain himself. The sustenance which G-d provides should be appreciated. We show appreciation by saying brachot before and after we eat. Food is the fuel that keeps us going. As a matter of fact, perhaps the appreciation we demonstrate for the food might be part of man’s mission.

 

The Sages enacted Bircat Hamazon-Grace after Meals, so that we can thank G-d for that pastrami sandwich. It says in the Torah “VE-ACHALTA VE-SAVATA UBERACHTA” – “one eats then he’s satiated then he blesses”. This is the main biblical source for the grace after meals.

 

Looking carefully at Bircat Hamazon, one realizes that we mention how G-d took us out of Egypt. The exodus was a miracle and it showed His mighty hand. However, what is the purpose of mentioning this in Bircat Hamazon?  Yes, I quenched my desire and am now able to perform the duties which HE placed on me, but what does the exodus from Egypt have to do with thanking HIM for my meal? What does my pastrami sandwich have to do with the price of tea in china?

 

In order to understand, we have to learn a fundamental Jewish concept. There are four types of life in the world. The lowest level is an inanimate object, called DOMEM. DOMEM consists of rocks, earth, a table etc. Next level up is TZOMEACH which is vegetation, for example, flowers. A step higher is CHAI which consists of animals. The highest level is us, Humans, we are called MEDABER. The literal translation means to speak.

 

Let’s examine the main biblical source of Bircat Hamazon. It is important to understand what the root of the word ACHILA- to eat, is. ACHILA could come from two roots, let us explore both.

One meaning is to break down, to devour. The root word in Hebrew is KILAYON. For instance, an animal tears apart its prey.

 

Another root that ACHILA can be derived from is the word KALAH, which means complete, perfect.

The Sages found two roots of the word ACHILA-to eat. We see with our own eyes how both roots of ACHILA are correct and it depends on us as to how we utilize and “label” it.

 

Let’s take soil, which is the inanimate object of DOMEM, and plant seeds in it. Within a short period of time after planting the seeds, plants and vegetation will grow. This is called TZOMEACH. The animals, CHAI, then proceed to eat the vegetation. Man, MEDABER, then captures the animal, slaughters it, and then consumes it. Now man has nourishment to complete his mission in life and be perfect. This is what ACHILA is intended for, to reach perfection.

 

We can also use the other definition and eat like an animal by tearing apart the food for pleasure only without reaching any goal and without reaching perfection. Clearly, the choice and power is ours.

G-d kept on telling Moshe to tell Pharaoh, “let my people go so that they shall serve me”. Hashem was demanding, “Let them go so that they can be complete in their mission”. This is the only reason why the Jews were let go, to achieve perfection.

 

The essence of BIRKAT HAMAZON is chiefly to bless and appreciate G-d for what he gave us. The only way to bless Him is to have our freedom. For this reason G-d took us out of Egypt. Secondly, and equally as important, to fuel us so that we can complete our mission in life and truly attain perfection.

There are two interesting questions pertaining to the Jews leaving Egypt. Firstly, one would think that when leaving Egypt, the Parsha would start off with trumpet-like-fiesta introduction. After all, it’s been two hundred and ten years under slavery and now the Jews are free; free to serve G-d, free to keep Shabbat, free to do all the mitzvot, free to have nice kiddushes on Shabbat!! Instead the Parsha begins with the word VAYEHI, which connotes negativity. WHY ARE WE NEGATIVE? WE JUST LEFT SLAVERY!!!

 

The second question is, if one notices, in all our prayers we say ZECHER YITZIAT MITZRAYIM – “remembrance of the exodus out of Egypt”. However, that translation is not correct. It should say YETZIAT MEMITZRAYIM – “going out from Egypt. Why do we say YETZIAT MITZRAYIM?

 

The answer is that Pharaoh was a wicked man and Egypt was the most impure country in the history of the world. In fact, the Rambam, Maimonides, who lived in Egypt, mentions in his Introduction to his books that “I am sinning every moment that I’m residing here”. Pharaoh purposely escorted the Israelites out of Egypt. In the process, he put a seal of the impurity that was the essence of the evil empire. That’s the reason why it starts off with the word Vayehi – bad. The impurity, the negative energy, continued into the nation of Israel. Most of the Jews who left Egypt died in the desert. It was only the next generation that entered the Promised Land.

 

When we say YETZIAT MITZRAYIM, that means that Egypt should go out of you, the impurity shall depart. We should be free and clear of the impurities of that evil empire and we shall be the pure souls that will achieve greatness as the chosen Jewish people.

by Rabbi Gedalia Fogel – Pre 1A – Yeshiva Ketana of Queens

In this week’s parsha, Parshat B’Shalach, the Jews left Egypt in a hurry. The Egyptians were close behind them when they reached a dead-end. Or so it seemed. There was water ahead of them. Nachshon Ben Aminadav did not hesitate. He jumped into the deep water of the Yardein and the water split creating a path for them to cross. In last week’s Parsha, Parshat Bo, the Jews were commanded to eat the Karban Pesach dressed and ready with their sticks in their hands so that they can leave Egypt immediately. They did not even wait for their bread to rise. They took the dough with them on their backs. Why all the rush?

 

In Judaism a person is taught to do things with calmness and clarity.  One should not hurry into things. In this case, when they were leaving Egypt they are told to rush. We learn from here that we should do all mundane things slowly with clarity and thought, but when it comes to a Mitzvah, a good deed, one must immediately rush to do it. Do not wait, do not think twice.

 

When the disciples of the Kotzker Rebbe came to tell him the great news that a train was being built to Warsaw, the Rebbe was not impressed. “Your followers will no longer have to travel with horse and buggy. They will have a much shorter trip.” The Kotzker Rebbe answered, “What’s the big deal? Must we always be in a rush?”

 

The only time one must hurry is to do Mitzvot. Today we live a rush society. Everything can be achieved, received or sent immediately. This often does not allow us to think clearly. If you walk in the streets you will see everyone is in a hurry.

 

One must do a mitzvah quickly as if running away from a burning fire. But we must also make sure that we do not just start the Mitzvah, we must complete it.

 

The Chazon Ish asked one of his disciples of go from Bnei Brak to Yerushalayim to help another Jew. “No problem, tomorrow I have a wedding in Yerushalayim.” The Chazon Ish berated him and said, “You must not put off helping another Jew. You must immediately rush to do a mitzvah. Your wedding tomorrow has nothing to do with it.”

 

There is much that can be accomplished if one does Mitzvot with speed. Reb Meir Shapiro (founder of the world-wide Daf Yomi) founded the great Yeshiva, Yeshivat Chachmei Lublin. The students wanted to do something in honor of Rabbi Shapiro’s birthday. Reb Meir requested that they try to make a Siyum Hashas (finish learning all of Shas) in one day. They divided the entire Shas among all 250 students. Each student took as much as he felt he could accomplish. One boy, Daniel, took the entire tractate of Baba Batra. When evening came they looked for Daniel. He had not attended dinner, nor did he participate in any activities. Daniel was located in his dorm room finishing up the last few lines of Baba Batra. We see from here how much one can accomplish with an enthusiastic rush into Torah learning and Mitzvot.

 

It was an hour before Shabbat when the Brisker Rav summoned Reb Menachem Puresh, a well-known writer. Reb Menachem hurried to the home of the Brisker Rav. “Can you please write up a nice letter asking people for their assistance in helping an unfortunate Talmid Chacham (learned man). Reb Menachem took to the task of the Brisker Rav but could not help but wonder what the urgency was. Couldn’t it wait till after the holy Shabbat? Upon completion he asked the Rav why the letter had to be written immediately. His response was, “One does not put off doing a Mitzvah. Do we know what tomorrow will bring? Can we be sure that if we put off doing a Mitzvah we will not lose the opportunity to do the good deed?”
What have we learned today?
What are some examples of when the Jews rushed before they left Egypt? They were told to eat the Korban Pesach when they were all prepared to leave. They should even have their walking sticks in their hands. They did not have time to bake their bread. They ended up taking it with them and it turned into Matzah from the heat. We also see this with Nachshon Ben Aminadav. He did not wait; he immediately jumped into the water and merited having the water split so that the Jews could safely cross over.

 

When is one supposed to hurry and when must one remain calm and do things at a slower pace? One must rush to do Mitzvot. Do not delay. Do not wait to think it through. Don’t put off doing a good deed for a more convenient time. At all other times one should practice doing things at a much slower pace. One is told to think before he speaks or acts.

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Pinkhasov – Mazal Tov on the birth of a baby girl.

 

Rabbi and Rebetzin Gedalia Fogel, MAZAL TOV! upon the bar mitzvah of their son Shimon

 

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Gad hatzlacha to all.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Rafi Fouzailoff for peace and unity in the world especially among our Jewish nation

 

Mr. David Bodenhiem in loving memory of his father Naftali ben Avraham MENUCHATO BEH GAN EDEN

 

Mr. and Mrs. Rafael Innoyatov for the health, parnasa, and hatzlaha to Rafael ben Yehuda, Gavriel ben Yehuda, Yehuda ben Avraam, and entire Innoyatov family and all of klal Israel.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Mordechay and Ricky Hafesov in honor of their son Gavriel upon his bar mitzvah MAZAL TOV!

 

Kimyagarov family David, Rachamim,Shmuel and all the grandchildren in loving memory of their Mother the ESHET CHAIL Raya bat Frecha

 

Mr. and Mrs. Joey Alibayof in loving memory of his mother Nurit Zulecha bat Malka and refuah shelema to his father Shmuel Naaman ben Yael

 

Dr. and Mrs. Arkadiy Izrailov in loving memory of his father Emanuel ben Chusni MENUCHATO BEH GAN EDEN

 

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Murdakhayev in loving memory of his father Baruchai ben Berucha and Refael ben Beitya MENUCHATAM BEH GAN EDEN

 

The Matmon family would like to wish a happy birthday to Yakoby Matmon AD MEAH VEH ESRIM!! and it should be full of MITZVOT!!

 

Anonymous

 

REFUAH SHELEMA

Shoshana Roza bat Ester

Shura Yoshua bat Chusni

Frumit bat Esther Malka

Yissachar dov ben Tzipora Faiga

Nissim ben Rachel

 

Candle Lighting 4:46 PM

Havdalah 5:48 PM