Shalom Friends;
This week, our Parshat HaShavua — Parshat Shemos is being sponsored by R’ Dr. Pinchas and P’nina Klahr of Ramat Beit Shemesh dedicated lilui nishmas Pinchas’ parents: Nosson Karpel ben Shmuel Zanvil Tzvi and Pessia Toiba bat Rav Yehuda Dov and Penina’s dad – Rav Matisyohu ben Rav Yaakov (Weisenberg), continued refuah Sheima for Itamar Chaim ben Tzipporah, complete recovery for Guy ben Rachel Sarah (a one and a half year old toddler) and lilui nishmas P’nina’s aunt Chaya Pesha bat Avraham Moshe, as well as for the safe return of all Chayalim — physically, mentally and spiritually and for the Liberation of the remaining deceased hostage and his return home for Jewish ritual burial and for Kol Klal Yisrael.
To Mishpochat Klahr, many thanks for your sponsorship and your kindnesses through the years.
You can celebrate a Simcha — a birth, a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, a Chassuna or other Simcha event in your life, or commemorate a Yahrtzeit of a loved one, or for whatever other reason by sponsoring a Parshat HaShavua.
Please forward to your relatives and friends and encourage them to sponsor a Parshat HaShavua. And please be in contact with me with any questions, or for further details.
Best Regards,
Moshe Burt
olehchadash@yahoo.com
Subscribe to the Israel and the Sin of Expulsion blog, to ask questions or to sponsor a Parsha Vort at: olehchadash@yahoo.com
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Near the beginning of our Parshat Sh’mot, Torah explains:
“…All the persons who emerged from Yaakov’s loins were seventy souls, and Yosef was in Egypt. Yosef died, and all of his brothers and that entire generation. The B’nei Yisrael were fruitful, teemed, increased and became strong — very, very much so; and the land became filled with them. And a new king arose over Egypt who did not know Yosef. He said to his people, ‘Behold, the B’nei Yisrael are more numerous and stronger than we.'” (Sefer Shemot, Perek 1, posukim 5 – 9 as rendered to English in the Artscroll Stone Edition Chumash)
The Artscroll Stone Edition Chumash cites S’forno and other unnamed commentators in discussing Perek 1, posuk 6:
“And that entire generation,” i.e. all seventy who came with Yaakov. As long as any of them were alive, the generation maintained its spiritual level. (Artscroll Stone Edition Chumash citing S’forno) Commentators have noted that there were three levels of Jewish greatness: the Patriarchs, the twelve tribal ancestors, and the seventy souls. Once all were dead, the spiritual fall and the descent into slavery began.
There are various accounts regarding both Egyptian history and the possible assimilation of the Jews into the Egyptian heartland which may have set the stage for the evolution of various antisemitic canards which have plagued Am Yisrael throughout our periods of galut, through to these days — in the seventy-eighth year of contemporary Israel’s national sovereignty. And this possible assimilation into the Egyptian heartland, and loss of certain moral standards, may have led ultimately to the Jews’ loss of self-respect and self-esteem as well as considering themselves in a lowly manner leading them to being subjugated by the Egyptians.
This author has discussed, in previous years, various understandings of “a new king arose over Egypt”, that it could have been royal succession, a king of a foreign land which conquered Egypt, or a King overthrown by his ministers and was only returned as king upon his change in mindset, policies and agenda. To repeat a point from past vorts, it would seem that had the Jews remained in Goshen, they might not have been subject to slavery, torture and persecution. We note that Shevet Levi remained in Goshen, refused Pharaoh’s call to work, as they remained learning Torah and were unharmed.
Rabbi Uziel Milevsky z’l writes in his Sefer “Ner Uziel” on on Parshat Sh’mot (p. 297-301), as R’ Moshe Weissman at indicates at the beginning of “The Midrash Says” on Sefer Sh’mot (page 1):
While the Sh’vatim lived, the Jews remained on Goshen and continued in the ways of their forefathers and were dedicated exclusively to Divine Service.
Following the deaths of Yaakov and the sons, the moral fabric began to unravel. The values of the forefathers eroded, particularly among the young and newly-married couples. Although the B’nei Yisrael maintained their Hebrew names [and family purity], their distinct dress, their language, their kindnesses each toward the other, they begin to venture beyond the pale of separation from the Mitzriyim which was Goshen and beyond exclusive Divine service.
R’ Weissman cites The Chazon Ish in “The Midrash Says” on Sefer Sh’mot (page 1):
…When questioned about the actual moral standard of the B’nei Yisrael in Egypt, [The Chazon Ish] explained that despite the righteousness of the Jewish women and the open miracles which they experienced, they [the B’nei Yisrael] were steeped in idol worship. (R’ Weissman citing The Chazon Ish, Letters 108-109)
We should remember here that when Yaakov took, by Rachel’s planned deception, the Bracha Yitzchak had intended for Eisev, Yitzchak gave Eisev a Bracha as rendered to English, with commentary in the Artscroll Stone Chumash (Sefer Breish’t, Perek 27, posukim 39 – 40, page 141) :
“Behold of the fatness of the earth shall be your dwelling and of the dew of Shemayim from above. By your sword you shall live, but your brother you shall serve; yet it shall that when you are aggrieved, you may cast off his yoke from upon your neck.”
On posuk 40: “When you are aggrieved.” If Israel ever transgresses the Torah, and is undeserving of dominion, you will have the right to be aggrieved that he has taken the blessings: then “you may cast off his yoke from upon your neck.” (Artscroll Stone Chumash citing Rashi)
Rabbi Dovid Feinstein comments on Sefer Shemot, Perek 1, posukim 7 and 9 in his Sefer, “Kol Dodi” (pages 96 – 98):
On posuk 7: “And the B’nei Yisrael were prolific and teemed, and became exceedingly great and powerful; and the land became filled with them.” (Rabbi Feinstein rendered to English Perek 1, posuk 7)
It would seem, at first glance. that the blessing that Hashem gave the Jews — their great fertility and success turned out, in reality, to be a curse. We see that their very greatness intimidated Pharaoh, as he said (Perek 1, posuk 9), “Behold, the B’nei Yisrael are more numerous and stronger than we.” Had they not been so numerous and powerful, surely Pharaoh would not have imposed the harsh labor and other cruel decrees. But can it be imagined that Hashem would give his people a curse disguised as a blessing?
…Pharaoh’s hatred of the Jews was beyond any sense or reason. Whether they were great or small, powerful or weak, he would have found some excuse to make their lives difficult. Therefore, it is wrong to think that Hashem’s blessing was in any way a curse.
The fact that people like Pharaoh seize on any excuse to abuse and oppress us does not change this: Hashem carries out his plan despite them and His ultimate purpose will be achieved no matter what they [Pharaoh or our oppressors through history to today] do or say.
On posuk 9: “Behold, the people of the B’nei Yisrael are greater and stronger than us.” (Rabbi Feinstein rendered to English Perek 1, posuk 9)
Not only were the Jews very numerous but… their power and influence was far out of proportion to their numbers. The same today: the power of Jews in the professions and in many aspects of public life far exceeds their numbers in the population at large.
But why should this have worried Pharaoh?….However much the power the Jews may have had in Egyptian life, they were still loyal and trustworthy subjects…
The answer to our question may be found in Pharaoh’s own words. He warned the Egyptians to be afraid of the Jews… lest they become many. Pharaoh was afraid that the Jews would someday become arrogant about their power and influence and forget their humility…. [that] someday they would realize that they had the power to overthrow him and take the country into their own hands. [i.e.,The oft-repeated accusation of dual loyalties – MB]
Pharaoh understood his people; he knew very well that an Egyptian with even a tenth of the Jews’ power would be a great threat to him. As the ruler of a society that was notorious for its treachery, Pharaoh simply couldn’t believe that the Jews were fundamentally different from his own people.
It should be noted here that as Pharaoh devised his cunning plan to combat Jewish population growth by drafting, enticing and luring B’nei Yisrael ultimately into slavery under the guise of patriotism and national responsibility, the Levi’im remained in Goshen. (This author citing “The Midrash Says” on Sefer Sh’mot, page 5)
Could it be that the B’nei Yisrael’s assimilation into mainland Egypt and their acceptance of Egyptian idolatrous service would have led to an Amalek, in the guise of Pharaoh, “throwing off the yoke” of Yisrael by way of his plans of portraying the population growth and influence of the Jews as a threat to Egypt and thus luring the Jews into slavery and persecution?
And don’t we see similar anti-Jewish tropes (noun: a convention or device that establishes a predictable or stereotypical representation of a character, setting, or scenario) throughout history, whenever and wherever Jews seek to assimilate and seek acceptance in a non-Jewish nation and society up to our days? Lest we forget Inquisitions, pogroms, ghettos, the Sho’a!
Even in Western societies such as Britain, Canada and the United States where Jews have, as they did in Egypt, gained influence and notoriety (noun: the state, quality, or character of being notorious or widely known), we find the same old tropes: “Jews control finances,” “Jews control the media,” “Israel controls American foreign policy.” At the same time, anti-semitism manifests itself in proclaiming that “America needs to stop give billions in aid to Israel.” This trope regarding aid to Israel exists despite the truth that Israel develops advanced technology which is shared with the US and buys weaponry and munitions from the US, thus keeping the American military-industrial complex thriving.
Such are the anti-Jewish tropes, they go on and on, as witness today’s largely ignorant, uneducated college youth, and their near equally ignorant university professors, in the US and Canada and their obscene chants and violence against Jews.
In recent weeks, a US Senator has put forth proposed legislation in which he calls for “an end dual citizenship” based on what he refers to as “conflicts of interest and divided loyalties.” That has long been a trope used against Jews. This is a scary piece of legislation for American Expats in general, and particularly for Senior Citizen ExPats who worked hard and honestly in the US for decades.
What we have seen among the nations over the generations, and particularly in recent years should ring alarm bells — for massive aliyah.
May our government and military bring about the total and complete, Final and Decisive victory over Hamas, their 7 October so-called “civilians(sic)” collaborators and the entire terror cabal, B’Yad Hashem, and become Totally self-sufficient as to manufacture of military equipment and aircraft, weaponry, munitions — heavy munitions, as well as showing independence of actions responding to any threat, regardless of so-called “super powers.”
May we see, from here on, that border guard personnel at all points of possible danger are listened to and treated with respect and dignity. May we see our Chayalim totally eradicate Hamas, Islamic Jihad, those so-called “civilians(sic)” who collaborated on 7 October, as well as Hezbollah, the Houthies, the Mullahs of Iran and all their terror accomplices while liberating the remains of the remaining deceased hostage and his return home for Jewish ritual burial, B’Yad Hashem and mandated by a government secure in it’s foremost service of, and emunah in HaKadosh Borchu, B’Ezrat Hashem! And may we see the restoration of true unity within Am Yisrael. May these words come to fruition B’Esrat Hashem.
May we, the B’nei Yisrael be zocha that our brethren — the refugee families from Gush Katif be permanently re-settled in Gush Katif, once the IDF, by the Yad Hashem, destructs and eradicates the wild beasts of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, all other terror entities, and if necessary Iran, and that our brethren be made totally whole — be totally restituted for all that was stolen from them, that the thrice expelled families of Amona be restored to their rebuilt homes and the oft-destroyed Yeshiva buildings in Homesh be rebuilt, as well as the buildings of Yishuv Elchanan, all at total government expense. May our Chayalim return from battle unharmed — physically, mentally and spiritually and may all of the remaining hostages brutally taken by the wild beasts of Hamas be liberated and brought home to their families. Baruch Hashem that our dear brother Jonathan Pollard is now in his sixth year at home in Eretz Yisrael and continues in a new chapter in his life. May Esther Yocheved bat Yechiel Avraham have an aliyah in Shemayim and may her spirit and memory continue to lift Jonathan to at least 120 years. May the MIAs be liberated alive and returned to us in ways befitting Al Kiddush Hashem — as with the return in April, 2019, via Russia, of the remains of Zachariah Baumel, the recent recovery of the remains of Tzvi Feldman as well as the recoveries of the remains of Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin from the Gaza War of ten years ago. May we have the courage and strength to stand up and physically prevent the possibility of Chas V’Challila any future eviction of Jews from their homes and prevent Chas V’Challila the handing of Jewish land over to anyone, let alone to enemies sworn to Israel’s and Judaism’s destruction and eradication. May we fulfill Hashem’s blueprint of B’nei Yisrael as a Unique people — an Am Segula, not to be reckoned with as with “the nations” and may we be zocha to see the Moshiach, the Ge’ula Shlaima, as Dov Shurin sings; “Ki Karov Yom Hashem Al’Kol HaGoyim”, the Ultimate Redemption, bimhayrah b’yamainu — speedily, in our time”, — Achshav, Chik Chuk, Miyad, Etmol!!!
Good Shabbos!
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Moshe Burt, an Oleh, is a commentator on news and events in Israel and Founder and Director of The Sefer Torah Recycling Network. He lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh.
Moshe is available for editing of English language documents, articles, manuscripts and more. Please be in contact with him at olehchadash@yahoo.com for your English language needs.
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