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Home -> 5785 -> Beshalach

וישאו בני ישראל את עיניהם והנה מצרים נסע אחריהם

Sruly Schnair
In Beshalach, 5785

Bnei Yisrael raised their eyes and behold! Egypt was journeying after them. (14:10)

Two nations reared their ugly heads against us.  Two nations demonstrated their unmitigated, venomous hatred against our ancestors: Egypt and Amalek.  Yet, a great difference exists between the hatred manifest by Egypt and the animus that has characterized Amalek  throughout the millennia.  Horav Yaakov Shteinhouse, Shlita (Ram, Kol Torah), observes that, concerning Egypt’s incursion against us, the Torah writes, Hashem yilachem lachem v’atem tacharishun, “Hashem shall make war for you, and you shall remain silent” (Shemos 14:14).  On the other hand, concerning the battle with Amalek, Hashem instructed Moshe Rabbeinu to lead the men in battle against Amalek.  Wherein lies…

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Home -> 5785 -> Beshalach

ד' ימלך לעולם ועד

Sruly Schnair
In Beshalach, 5785

Hashem shall reign for all eternity. (15:18)

Horav Aryeh Leib Heyman, zl, cites a debate in Chazal (Berachos 40B) concerning the necessity to proclaim Malchus Hashem, as Monarch, when reciting a b’rachah.  Rav posits that it is sufficient to vocalize the word Hashem as Adon, Master, G-d; it is not necessary to include the words, Melech Olam.  Rabbi Yochanan contends that any b’rachah that does not include Melech Olam in its text is not a blessing.  The halachah follows Rabbi Yochanan (Orach Chaim 214). In Meseches B’rachos (7B), Chazal teach that Avraham Avinu was the first person to refer to Hashem as Adon; Leah Imeinu was the…

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Home -> 5785 -> Beshalach

שם שם לו חק ומשפט ושם נסהו

Sruly Schnair
In Beshalach, 5785

There he established for (the nation) a decree and an ordinance, and there He tested it. (15:25)

The nation needed to study Torah.  The Jewish People are unique in that sense; without Torah, we descend spiritually and open ourselves up to spiritual failure, which ultimately leads to spiritual extinction.  It had been a three-day journey from the Red Sea, and the people were already complaining, “What will we drink?”  Hashem transformed the bitter waters, and they became sweet.  Seeing how the lack of Torah study caused disaster, the Almighty gave the nation commandments with which to occupy themselves until Kabbolas HaTorah, at which time they would receive the Luchos, Ten Commandments.  He gave them the laws of…

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Home -> 5785 -> Bo

ויהי חשך אפלה בכל ארץ מצרים ... לא ראו איש את אחיו ולא קמו איש מתחתיו

Sruly Schnair
In Bo, 5785

And there was a darkness of gloom throughout the land of Egypt…No man could see his brother nor could anyone rise from his place. (10:22,23)

In his sefer, Yalkut Chinuch L’Doros, Rabbi Simcha Zissel Dessler, Shlita, quotes a story from Horav Yisrael Meir Lau, Shlita, which is well-worth repeating.  Fifty years ago, a place in the center of Tel Aviv’s downtown was where the wagon drivers would line up and wait for passengers who either wanted to travel or to ship their packages.  One of these drivers was an observant Jew, by the name of Yoska, who would first participate in the vasikin, sunrise, minyan, and then he was off to work.  As time passed, Yoska’s aged horse left this world.  Lacking the funds to…

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Home -> 5785 -> Bo

ויקחו להם איש שה לבית אבות

Sruly Schnair
In Bo, 5785

They shall take for themselves – each man – a lamb for a father’s house. (12:3)

The Egyptians suffered through nine makos, plagues, but apparently dug in and refused to budge.  The Jewish People were not leaving Egypt.  It was now time for the coupe de grace, the finishing blow that would “convince” Pharaoh that Hashem was in control, and He was taking the Jews from them.  The tenth plague, smiting the first born, was told to Moshe Rabbeinu during his first encounter with Hashem at the Burning Bush.  Yet, Hashem required a prologue before preceding to the final act of makos bechoros.  The people were commanded to take a lamb for each family, slaughter and…

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Home -> 5785 -> Bo

והגדת לבנך ביום ההוא לאמר

Sruly Schnair
In Bo, 5785

And you shall tell your son on that day. (13:8)

The Rambam (Sefer HaMitzvos 157) writes that it is mandatory for us to remember/reflect on the various trials and tribulations that we experienced in Egypt, so that we can properly pay gratitude to Hashem for saving us.  Unless one understands the pain, he is unable to be makir tov, pay gratitude.  Horav Yaakov Cohen, zl, delves into Rambam’s source for this comment.  Nowhere in the Torah does hakoras hatov play a role in the mitzvah to remember Egypt.  He cites the AbudRaham, who quotes Rishonim, who explain the term haggadah, which serves as the seder night’s primer, as being derived…

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Home -> 5785 -> Vaeira

וגם אני שמעתי את נאקת בני ישראל

Sruly Schnair
In Vaeira, 5785

Moreover, I have heard the groan of Bnei Yisrael. (6:5)

Listening is a fundamental value in many aspects of life – be it relationships, communication or spiritual growth.  Listening goes beyond mere hearing; it means internalizing and comprehending what the other person is conveying to us and acting upon it.  Active listening fosters a sense of connection to and validation of the speaker, that you are hearing and respecting him.  This, in turn, builds trust and fortifies relationships. We can break listening down into different forms.  When someone shares his struggles and pains, he is often seeking validation more than solutions.  By simply listening, without the ability or wherewithal to…

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Home -> 5785 -> Vaeira

ולקחתי אתכם לי לעם

Sruly Schnair
In Vaeira, 5785

I shall take you to Me as a people. (6:7)

The climax of Yetzias Mitzrayim, the Egyptian exodus, occurred when Hashem told us we were to be His people, when He gave us the Torah at Har Sinai.  At that point, we achieved our identity.  A slave has no identity.  He is a number, whose master predetermines his purpose and activities.  His life is aimless, since he has no control over it.  Our identity as Yehudim, Torah Jews, was established at Sinai when we accepted the Torah.  Many biological Jews live in the world, but biology does not establish our identity, because it does not define who we are.  Our…

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Home -> 5785 -> Vaeira

הם המדברים אל פרעה ... הוא משה ואהרן

Sruly Schnair
In Vaeira, 5785

These are the ones who spoke to Pharaoh … this was Moshe and Aharon. (6:27)

Prior to relating Moshe Rabbeinu and Aharon HaKohen’s visit to Pharaoh for what was to be the beginning of the end of the Jewish enslavement, the Torah digresses and offers a brief genealogical backdrop.  The Torah begins by introducing Levi ben Yaakov, the Patriarch of the Levite families.  This is followed by a detailed list of his children and grandchildren, and it concludes with Moshe and Aharon who came before Pharaoh demanding that he release the Jews.  Rashi is bothered by the superfluous ending to the family history.  He explains that the Torah intimates that Hu Moshe v’Aharon mi’techilah v’ad…

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Home -> Shemos -> 5785

ואלה שמות בני ישראל הבאים מצרימה ... ויקם מלך חדש... אשר לא ידע את יוסף

Sruly Schnair
In 5785, Shemos

And these are the names of Bnei Yisrael who were coming to Egypt… A new king rose… who did not know Yosef. (1:1,8)

Pharaoh soon forgot all the wonderful things that Yosef had done for him and his people.  Sadly, this is not uncommon.  People remember you only when they need your help.  Once they feel they can do it alone, they quickly forget that they were your beneficiaries.  Unfortunately, this is human nature.  It requires a special person, whose character traits are refined, to acknowledge what he owes and offer his gratitude.  Forgetfulness is often a product of self- centeredness.  When a person sees only himself and his immediate needs, he can easily dismiss the benefits and blessings that he has received…

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