B"H
Thursday, Tevet 23, 5784 / January 4, 2024
Q. Parshat Shmot begins with, “These are the names of the children of Israel who came to Egypt.” Although in the context of the verse the translation is, “Who came to Egypt,” yet, the Torah uses the word “Habaim,” which literally means, “Who are coming,” implying that they are coming now. Why does the Torah say, “Habaim” who are coming, rather than, “Sheba’u” – “Who came”?
A. Our sages explain that the Torah implies that the children of Israel, although, in the beginning they enjoyed of the best of the land, while Joseph was ruler of Egypt, yet, they never felt that Egypt was home. They didn’t become comfortable there. Even after many years, they felt as if they were NOW coming, they were constant immigrants. Egypt was not home. They yearned to be back in their homeland – in Israel.
Q. How many years after Joseph’s death did the enslavement of the Jewish people begin?
A. About twenty-two years after Joseph’s passing.
Q. In telling us how the enslavement of the Jewish people came about, the Torah says, “There arose a new king over Egypt, who didn’t know Joseph. He said to his people, ‘The Children of Israel are more and stronger than we are…’” How is it possible that only twenty-two years after Joseph’s death, “He didn’t know Joseph”? How could the Egyptians forget that Joseph saved them from the great famine?
A. Our sages explain the verse to mean that he didn’t want to know Joseph! Pharaoh and his people began acting as if they didn’t know Joseph. They chose to forget what Joseph did for them and instead of appreciation, turned against his family and his people. It demonstrates the short memory so many people and nations choose to have when it comes to the people of Israel.
As we watch the demonstrations all over the world these days against Israel and Jews, we see how conveniently the world chose to forget the Jewish contributions to global welfare.
Jews currently make up approximately 0.25% of the world's population and 2% of the US population. Yet, Jews and persons of Jewish ancestry account for 23% of all individual recipients of the Nobel Prize.
Jews in the U.S., while only 2% of the U.S. population, account for 37% of all U.S. recipients of Nobel Prizes! In the scientific research fields of Chemistry, Economics, Medicine, and Physics, the corresponding world and U.S. percentages are 27% and 40%, respectively! The entire world, including Arabs, have greatly benefited from these scientific and medical contributions. Yet, we didn’t see any demonstrations when Jews, infants, women, and the elderly are slaughtered by Hamas Nazis. No demonstrations when Hamas rockets fall on Israeli cities. Is history repeating itself? How did the world today, like the ancient Egyptians 3000 years ago, choose to forget how much they benefit from us? The real question isWHY?
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
WITH SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISRAEL