B"H

Monday, Tevet 16, 5776 / December 28, 2015 – HAKHEL YEAR

This Shabbat we read Parshat Shemot, which begins the second Book of the Torah – Exodus.

The Parsha tells how the Egyptians enslaved the Jewish people and that Pharaoh decreed that every Jewish boy who will be born shall be drowned in the Nile River.

The Parsha also tells about the birth of Moshe and how he was saved by Pharaoh’s daughter and grew up in Pharaoh’s palace. He eventually had to flee Egypt and come to Midyan, where he met his future wife, Tziporah, and became a shepherd for his father-in-law, Yitro.

We read how G-d revealed Himself to Moshe.  The Torah says, "And Moshe was feeding the flock of Yitro, his father-in-law, the priest of Midyan; and he led the flock to the farthest end of the wilderness and he came to the mountain of G-d, to Horeb.  And G-d’s angel appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. Moshe saw the bush was on fire, but the bush was not consumed.” 

When Moshe came closer, G-d called to him out of the midst of the bush and said, “Moshe, Moshe, remove your shoes from your feet for the place upon which you are standing is holy ground."  G-d then tells Moshe to go to Pharaoh and bring forth My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.

Q.   The Midrash tells that a gentile once asked Rabbi Yehoshua ben Karcha, "Why did your G-d speak to Moshe from the midst of a bush and not from a different tree?"

A.  Rabbi Yehoshua answered, "Had He revealed himself from a carob tree, you would have asked the same question: Why that tree and not another one.  However, now that you asked, I will answer you:  G-d wanted to show Moshe that there was no place where He cannot be found and that He rests not only in the tall trees but also in a low bush.

Q.   But why from a “thorn” bush?

A.  Rashi explains that by revealing Himself from a thorn bush, G-d was saying to Moshe that, just as the Jewish people were suffering,He too, is in pain, which is symbolized by the prickly thorn bush.

Q.   Why from a “burning” thorn bush?

A.   To show Moshe that just as the fire didn't destroy the bush, so too, the Egyptianswillnot be able to destroy the Jewish nation.

For thousands of years the Pharaohs of every generation, to this very day (their names may have changed, but their goals were the same), tried to destroy us. But in G-d’s first revelation to Moshe, He made it clear that, just as the bush was not consumed by the fire, because G-d was there, so too, the Jewish people will not be consumed, for G-d is always with us.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

B"H

Thursday, Tevet 12, 5776 / December 24, 2015 – HAKHEL YEAR

At this time of year, when many of us are planning to take a delayed Chanukah vacation, it is important to remember the words of Psalms (37:23) "From G-d are the steps of man established."

Although it may seem that we are traveling according to ourplans and for ourpleasure, nevertheless, King David tells us that, in truth, our movements are planned by G-d. He has a much greater and far more important mission for us -- even when we go for vacation.

A Jew must remember that in all his/her travels there is also a spiritual missionthat must be accomplished.  This may be performing a mitzvah in that particular place or offering spiritual encouragement or guidance to a fellow. One should be aware of the opportunities that present themselves and make the most of them.

It is customary to recite the "Tefilat HaDerech" - "Prayer for travelers" when we travel out-of-town, especially when we travel a greater distance. The following is the Tefilat HaDerech in translation:

May it be Your will, L-rd our G-d and G-d of our fathers, to lead us in peace and direct our steps in peace; to guide us in peace, to support us in peace and to bring us to our destination in life, joy and peace and return us in peace.  Deliver us from the hands of every enemy and lurking foe, from robbers and wild beasts on the journey; and from all kinds of calamities that may come to and afflict the world; and bestow blessings upon all our actions. Grant me grace, kindness and mercy in Your eyes and in the eyes of all who behold us, and bestow bountiful kindness upon us.  Hear the voice of our prayer, for You hear everyone's prayer. Blessed are you L-rd, Who hears prayer.

It is appropriate to give charity before going on a trip. Our sages connect this custom with the words of Psalms (85:14) "Tzedek shall go before him, and he shall set out on his journey."  The Hebrew word "Tzedek(righteousness) is the same as "Tzedakah– charity."  Before one sets out on a journey they should give charity so that the merit of the mitzvah shall go before them and protect them.

There is also a beautiful custom to give the traveler some Tzedaka money to distribute at their destination (called “Shliach Mitzvah”).  The Talmud states that people who go to perform a mitzvah are protected from harm on the way there and back. Thus, giving the traveler money to give to charity at their destination makes it a trip for the purpose of performing a mitzvah which gives them extra protection there and back.

Although we may be on vacation, we are not on vacation from our duties to G-d. It is important to remember to take along our Tallit, Tefillin and Siddur for prayer. 

Also remember to take along traveling candles in order to light the Shabbat candles Friday evening.

HAVE A SAFE TRIP & A GREAT AND WONDERFUL VACATION

B"H

Wednesday, Tevet 11, 5776 / December 23, 2015 – HAKHEL YEAR

In this week’s Parsha, Vayechi, the final Parsha in the Book of Genesis, we read how Yaakov (Jacob) asked his son, Joseph, that after his passing in Egypt he will take his body back to the land of Canaan to be buried in the family burial plot in Hebron. 

Joseph tells his father he will do so. But, Yaakov is not satisfied and makes him swear. Only after he swears that he will be taken out of Egypt to be buried in Hebron, is Yaakov pleased.

In return for this favor, Yaakov gives Joseph the city of Shchem as Joseph’s burial place. Years later, before his passing, Joseph makes his family swear that they will take his body out of Egypt to be buried in the Land of Canaan.

The Torah tells that when Yaakov died, at the age of 147, all of Egypt mourned his death.  After 70 days, Yaakov’s children carried him out of Egypt to be buried in Hebron. After Joseph died, his body stayed in Egypt until the time of the Exodus. Joseph was later buried in Shchem, the city which his father gave him as a gift.

Q.  Why did Yaakov make Joseph swearthat he will bury him in Israel?

A.  Yaakov was revered in Egypt which is why all of Egypt mourned for him after his passing. Yaakov was afraid that when Joseph will experience great opposition from Pharaoh and the Egyptians who will want him to be buried in Egypt, he will give up on the idea and will agree to have him buried in Egypt. By making Joseph swear, he felt assured that he will make every effort to fulfill his oath. 

Q.Why was Yaakov so revered by the Egyptians that they all mourned for him?

A.   In Pharaoh’s dream he saw that there will be seven plentiful years in Egypt and then seven years of great famine. Yaakov and his family moved to Egypt at the end of the second year of famine.  When Yaakov was introduced to Pharaoh, he blessed Pharaoh and as a result, the famine stopped.  Instead of seven years it only lasted two years!  The Egyptians realized how holy a man Yaakov was and that his blessing saved them from five years of famine.  Thus, they all mourned his passing.

Q.  Why was Yaakov afraid of being even temporarily buried in Egypt? Why did he want to be carried out of Egypt immediately after his passing and not at the time of the Exodus, as was the case with Joseph?

A.  Yaakov was afraid that the Egyptians will declare him a God, and would worship him, as they did their many other Gods. This is why he made Joseph swear that he will not bury him in Egypt even for a while.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY