Parshat Shemos 5771: Assimilation and the Evolution of Jewish Enslavement — In Mitzrayim, and Now (?)

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by Moshe Burt

To sufficiently comprehend the evolution of the enslavement of B’nai Yisrael in Mitzriyim, it would seem that one needs to comprehend the closed nature of the two preceding Parshiyot; the concluding posuk of Vayigash;

And Yisrael dwelt in the land of Mitzriyim in the land of Goshen, and they acquired property in it and… multiplied greatly

and the first posuk of Vayechi;

And Yaakov lived in the land of Mitzrayim for seventeen years…

We need to understand the gist of the Kli Yekar; that the Sh’vatim, the Am, knowing that they were to be in Mitzriyim for a definite period of time beyond their lifetimes thus perceived a permanence. Therefore, they adapted themselves to living in Mitzriyim long-term and were thus vulnerable to Mitzri “encouragement” to melt, to assimilate into Mitzri society, to work for the nation, etc. The B’nai Yisrael began to accumulate wealth, land, assets, material possessions as they grew in numbers from 70 souls to 600,000 during Yaakov’s 17 years in Mitzrayim, as stated in the Judaica Press Chumash volume 3 re: Parsha Vayechi. read more

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Parshat Vayechi 5771: Yaakov, The Sh’vatim and The End of Days — Expanded

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by Moshe Burt

Last year, this author heard a vort on Parshat Vayechi at a Thursday night Mishmar which could be understood to amplify on a topic repeated on this blog numerous times over the years — that Jewish unity is prerequisite to bringing about a Halachic, Just State of Israel, the prerequisite to bringing about the Geula Shlaima — the Ultimate Redemption.

On last week’s Parshat Vayigash, this author spoke about Yosef’s treatment of the brothers, i.e. the bogus espionage charges, compelling the delivery of Binyamin to him, about the frame job of having the Viceroy’s cup planted in Binyamin’s possession, and the resultant Teshuvah by Yehuda and the other brothers. And it was noted that the Teshuvah and resultant unity amongst the brothers is seen as a paradigm for what is needed to heal today’s wounds caused by the gradual fractionalization and polarization which peaked with the expulsion of Jews from their land, their homes, their communities, shuls and parnossa (jobs, businesses, etc.) and which continues and grows to this day, including amongst one sector toward the other(s) in the religious word. read more

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Parsha Vayigash 5771: Yosef, the Brothers and Real Teshuvah

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Moshe Burt

There was an Israel National News report last week about how former IDF Chief Rabbi Yisrael Weiss expressed regret at having supported the expulsion, or as they call it the “disengagement.”

Rabbi Weiss expressed the following:

“Rabbi Yisrael Weiss, former IDF Chief Rabbi, has expressed regret over his role in the 2005 “Disengagement” from Gaza and northern Samaria. At the time, Rabbi Weiss came out against refusing orders, saying that IDF soldiers who are told to expel Jews from their homes by force must do so.” read more

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Parshat Mikeitz/Shabbos Chanukah 5771: Yosef’s Marraige and Hashem’s Miracle Cure for Modern Hellenism

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by Moshe Burt

In previous years, this author wrote about Yosef’s being thrown in a bor (pit) seething with snakes and scorpions — yet emerging unscathed, his being sold, his ensuing journey to Mitzrayim and his slavery, his imprisonment and his liberation and ascendency to the position of Viceroy, second only to Pharoh.

Jews keep having to re-learn and absorb the message of Chanukah and of the miracles done to Yosef time and again throughout our history, including here and now in our times of successive iron-fisted, cruel, corrupt ruling regimes who fraudulently pose as free and democratic whi;le dividing and conquering the people it “governs.” ALL of the Medina’s political parties, leaders and governance are in fact transparently corrupt, selfish, self-serving and self-aggrandizing; as were the Hellenists of the time of the Maccabees. read more

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Parshat Vayeishev 5771: Yosef and the Brothers vs the Hellinistic Israeli Regimes’ War of Polarization on Yiddishkeit

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by Moshe Burt

A few years ago, just before Chanukah, a short article appeared on the INN website entitled;
“Mortar Shells Filled With Chanukah Light” which told about the Menorah which Neve Dekalim residents made from some of the spent Islamic mortal shells which were launched on their Gush Katif town over the years.

Reading about this special Menorah which was lit at one of the Jerusalem hotels which temporarily housed many evicted Neve Dekalim residents, took this author back in time to Philadelphia, in “the “old country” and to a point made by Rav Yehoshua Kaganoff about the pit in which Yaakov was thrown. The point bears repeating. read more

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Parshat Vayishlach 5771: Contrasting Moral, Spiritual Honesty With Suicidal Appeasement

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by Moshe Burt

We learn at the end of Parsha Vayeitzei that Yaakov and his family were escorted by a group of Melachim to the border of Eretz Yisrael where a second group of melachim took over and escorted them inside Eretz Yisrael. Yaakov declared both groups to be Holy and named this border point Mahanaim for the two camps of Melachim.

It was about this second camp that our Parsha begins by informing that Yaakov sent Melachim (angels) — some render a translation of messengers:

“… ahead of him to Eisev to the land of Seir, to the field of Edom… Thus shall you say … to Eisev, so said your servant Yaakov: ‘Im-Lavan garti’ (I have sojourned with Lavan) …” (Sefer Breish’t, Perek 32, posukim 4 & 5). read more

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Parsha Vayeitzei 5771: Yaakov, Lavan and Practical Applications of Compassion and Cruelty L’Shem Shemayim

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by Moshe Burt

In last week’s Parsha Toldos, we learned about Rivka, who rose above an evil environment while internalizing it’s insights and was thus well positioned to urge Yaakov to claim the Bracha, and about Yaakov, the “Ish Tam”. We learn that Yaakov was “totally honest, a man of great integrity” but was also master over the trait of being “tam”, a “‘plain man’, … without trickery. This means that Yaakov did not allow this “Ish Tam” character trait to dominate him. He knew when and where to act otherwise. We knew that from his demand for the birthright from Eisev in exchange for the lentil soup. These traits surely seemed inculcated to Yaakov as a result of Rivka Imeinu’s nurturing. We later learned that Yaakov told Rachel; “‘…that he was her father’s kinsman’, according to the Sages, ‘If he has come to be sly, I am his kinsman in being sly.'” (Rashi on Breish’t Perek 29, posuk 12) read more

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Parsha Toldos 5771: Yitzchak, Eisev and Modern-Day False Perceptions

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by Moshe Burt

In considering Avraham Aveinu’s passing and his son Yitzchak’s aveilut (mourning) of his Father’s passing, there seem to be a number of burning questions which beg to be asked concerning the relationship between Yitzchak and Eisev.

In understanding that Eisev was largely able to camouflage his evil behind his ability to honor his Father, how is it that he (Eisev), this master of Kibud Av, is out running wild committing two of the Big 3 aveirot — Gilui Aroyot; violating a betrothed maiden, and murder; in chopping off Nimrod’s head and killing his (Nimrod’s) 2 guards on the day of his Father’s aveilut? read more

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Parsha Chayei Sarah 5771: Rivka’s Unconditional Kindness

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by Moshe Burt

This author has written often about Rivka Imeinu’s qualities of having been raised and nurtured under Lavanite societal norms of deceit, cheating, conniving and stealing. We learn that Rivka rose above
these norms and was straight, honest, yet knew how to employ deceit for the good and right as with Yaakov, Eisev and Yitzchak’s Bracha.

But there is another side to Rivka Imeinu — the attribute of unconditional kindness. In speaking countless times about The Sefer Torah Recycling Network got its start, I tell how 16 years ago while speaking to a Rabbi back in Philadelphia about an event attended the night before where 2 people approached me about a town in Eretz Yisrael which needed a Sefer Torah and how my response was “no promises but will see what can be done.” As I told related this story, the Rabbi stopped me in mid-sentence saying, as with Eliezer and Rivka of our Parsha: read more

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Parsha Vayeira 5771: Stark Contrasts Between Actions of Avraham, Sodom and Israel 5771

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by Moshe Burt

Our Parsha opens with Hashem, as we understand, visiting Avraham Aveinu on the 3rd day after Bris Milah, when Avraham was at the height of his pain following the circumcision, as Rashi indicates, “to inquire about his welfare.” (Metsuda Linear Chumash rendering of Rashi on Perek 18, posuk 1)

It’s not like Hashem needed to pay a visit to ascertain Avraham’s actual condition. Hashem is the Creator, The Master, The Ruler over the world who knows and is aware of everything. And so, as Hashem visited to inquire as to Avraham’s wellbeing, Avraham pardoned himself from Hashem when he spotted 3 travellers inviting them into his tent. read more

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