B"H
Thursday, Shevat 8, 5785 / February 6, 2025
Parshat B’shalach,which we will read this Shabbat,relates some of the great miracles the Jewish people witnessed after leaving Egypt.
First was the miracle of the splitting of the sea, through which the Jewish people were saved and the Egyptians drowned. After witnessing this great miracle, Moshe and the people sang the Shira – a song of praise to G-d for this great miracle.
It is for this reason that this Shabbat is called, Shabbat Shira, because of the SHIRA – SONG about which we read this Shabbat.
The Torah describes this miraculous episode as, "The Children of Israel walked on dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall on their right and their left… And the people feared G-d; and they believed in G-d and in Moshe His servant. Then Moshe and the children of Israel sang this song to the L-rd..."
The Torah makes special mention of the women singing, dancing and playing their tambourines in praise of G-d.
This song which was sung by the Jewish people over 3,000 years ago, praising G-d for this great miracle, was incorporated into our daily morning prayer.
The miracle of the daily manna, their daily food supplement which was sent from heaven each day for forty years, is also recorded in this Parsha. Each day they received a certain measurement of manna, which they had to go out and collect. On Friday they received a double portion, also for Shabbat.
Another miracle we read about in the Parsha is when the people didn’t have any water to drink. They complained to Moshe; “Why did you bring us out from Egypt to kill us, our children and our cattle in the desert? G-d told Moshe to take his staff and hit the rock and much water would come forth. Moshe did so and water came forth for everyone to drink. This rock travelled with them throughout their forty year journey in the desert and provided them with the water they needed.
At the end of the Parsha we read about the nation of Amalek, who came to wage war against the Jewish people. Moshe told Joshua to select brave and pious men to fight Amalek. Joshua did so and they weakened Amalek.
Q.Why do we recite each morning the Shira-song they sang after the miracle of crossing the sea?
A.To remind us thatEVERY DAY is a great miracle, no less than the miracle of the sea, and worthy of G-d's praises. The daily miracles are “hidden” miracles and most of them seem like natural events. Yet, if we open our eyes and minds… we will realize them and even see them as miracles.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
OUR HEARTS ARE WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY - MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW
B"H
Wednesday, Shevat 7, 5785 / February 5, 2025
In the beginning of this week’s Parsha, B’Shalach, we read the story of how the people of Israel, who only a few days earlier left Egypt, with the encouragement of Pharaoh and all the Egyptians, were now chasing after them to have them return to Egypt. They were now trapped between the Egyptians, behind them; the desert to their sides and the sea before them.
The Torah tells us that after sending the people out of Egypt, Pharaoh and the Egyptians had a change of heart and chased after them.
Q.Why did the Egyptians have a change of heart?
A.When Moshe pleaded with Pharaoh to let the people go, he told Pharaoh that they will be gone for three daysto serve G-d in the desert. The Egyptians gave them their gold, silver and expensive clothing, as the people requested, knowing that they will get it all back when the people return. When Pharaoh realized, after three days, that they were not coming back, they chased after them.
The Jewish people were angry at Moshe why he took them out of Egypt only to die in the desert. Moshe prayed to G-d for help. G-d told Moshe why are you praying? Now is not the time to pray. Tell the children of Israel that they should go forward into the sea.
Nachshon, head of the tribe of Yehuda (Judah), was the first to take the plunge. As soon as he did, the sea split and everyone followed him into the sea. A few million people went through the sea on dry land. We all know the rest of the story. For the Jewish people the sea was a life saver, while for the Egyptians the sea became their death trap and they drowned.
Q.Why was G-d’s final punishment to the Egyptians by drowning them in the sea?
A.This was a measure for measure punishment for their decree that every Jewish boy should be drowned in the Nile River.
Our sages point out that G-d could have made it much easier for the Jewish people. He could have split the sea as soon as they came there. Then they wouldn’t have to fear the Egyptians, who were chasing after them, and wouldn’t have to “scream” for help.
There is a lesson in this.There are times when G-d waits for usto make that first move and take that plunge of faith in Him. Even when we are in a situation in which we do not see our way out, G-d may be waiting for OURaction in order to bring about His miracles.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & CHODESH TOV
OUR HEARTS ARE WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY - MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW
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In memory and tribute to Jeno Zoldan ZL - Now gone for 39 years.
With love and forever in our thoughts.
Andre, Esther, Zachary, Benjamin and Jonah.
B"H
Tuesday, Shevat 6, 5785 / February 4, 2025
This week’s Parsha, B’shalach, begins with the words, “Vayehi B’shalach Pharaoh et ha’am.” Translation: “And it came to be when Pharaoh sent out the people.” “B’shalach” means “to send out.”
In the Parsha we read about some of the miracles which G-d performed for the Jewish people as they left Egypt on the way to Mount Sinai. Two special miracles stand out in the Parsha. One is the splitting of the Sea, so the Jewish people can pass through while the Egyptians, who chased after them, drowned.
The other miracle recorded in the Parsha is the manna from heaven which G-d gave them each day of the week, except on Shabbat. Every day they received an exact portion of manna – a measurement of one omer for each person. On Friday they would receive a double portion, for Friday and for Shabbat.
The miracle of the splitting of the sea lasted one night. The miracle of the manna from heaven continued forty years, beginning one month after the Exodus and lasted throughout their forty-year stay in the desert.
Q. Did every Jew leave Egypt at the time of the Exodus?
A. The Torah tells us that 600, 000 men between the ages of 20 to 60 left Egypt, plus women and men older than 60 and younger than 20. The Torah tells us in this Parsha that they went out of Egypt “chamushim” which can be translated as, “one fifth.” This means that only one fifth of the Jewish people who were enslaved in Egypt came out. The other four fifths refused to leave. G-d punished them for this, they died and were buried in Egypt during the plague of darkness.
Q. Why did they die during the plague of darkness?
A. G-d didn’t want to make this known to the Egyptians, so it all happened while the Egyptians experienced the plague of darkness and couldn’t witness it.
Q. How much after the Exodus was the miracle of the splitting of the sea?
A. The Exodus took place on the 15th day of Nissan and the crossing of the sea took place seven days later. This is why the Torah reading for the seventh day of Pesach (Passover) is about the miracle of the splitting of the sea, which took place that day.
Q. When the plague of the first-born hit, Pharaoh chased the people out of Egypt. Why did he now have a change of heart and chased after them?
A. The Torah tells us that, “G-d hardened Pharaoh’s heart and he gave chase after the children of Israel.” G-d wanted to remove any fear which the Jewish people may still have had of Pharaoh and the Egyptians. Thus, he made them drown and the Jewish people realized that they were gone forever.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & CHODESH TOV
OUR HEARTS ARE WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY - MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW
B"H
Tuesday, Tevet 28, 5785 / January 28, 2025
The mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh is found in this week's Parsha, Bo. It is the first mitzvah given to the Jewish people, while they were still in Egypt, two weeks before the Exodus.
G-d commanded the Jewish people to observe the mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh. "And the L-rd spoke to Moshe and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying: 'This month (Nissan) shall be to you the beginning of months; the first shall it be to you of the months of the year."
Rosh Chodesh is celebrated each month on the day when the moon starts its cycle of rebirth. From this day on it becomes visible again and will be getting fuller each night. Although the New Year is celebrated on Rosh Hashanah which is in the month of Tishrei, G-d set the month of Nissan, which is the month of the Exodus, as the first month. The months are identified in the Torah not by name but by numbers - one to twelve. Nissan, in which we celebrate the holiday of Pesach, is called the first month. Rosh Hashana, when we celebrate the beginning of the New Year is in the seventh month.
The name Nissan comes from the word Nes – miracle. By commanding us to count the months from Nissan, G-d teaches us that our national existence transcends the laws of nature and falls under the laws of miracles. This is the secret of our Jewish survival over the past 3,000 years until this very day!
The Hebrew calendar is based on a lunar cycle. The reappearance of the moon at each monthly cycle is called "Molad" when the moon is "reborn." Originally, Rosh Chodesh was established after two witnesses came to the High Court (Sanhederin) and testified that they saw the new moon. After the destruction of the Holy Temple and the abolishment of the High Court, the Hebrew calendar was established by calculation.
Q. What is the significance of Rosh Chodesh that it was the first mitzvah given to us?
A. Time and again, down to our present day and age, the Jewish nation has gone through many cycles. At times it appeared as though we were near extinction; yet like the moon, we came back to shine again. The mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh, which is on the day when the moon becomes visible again after it was invisible, gives us hope and confidence that the Jewish people will survive and overcome all adversities.
Q.Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh, we recite the prayer of "Mi She'asa Nissim - He Who performed miracles for our forefathers and redeemed them from slavery to freedom - May He redeem us soon...” What is the connection between the prayer for "redemption" and the blessing of Rosh Chodesh?
A.As mentioned above, the mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh was given to the Jewish people in Egypt as a prelude to the Exodus. Similarly, as we perform this mitzvah we pray that we too should merit the final redemption with the coming of Moshiach. Amen.
Wednesday night & Thursday is Rosh Chodesh of the new Hebrew month, Shevat
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
OUR HEARTS ARE WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY - MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW
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