Beshalach – Page 14 – Peninim on the Torah

“And it was when Moshe held up his hand that Yisrael prevailed .” (17:11)

Rashi comments that Moshe’s hands became heavy as a form of punishment, because he did not personally involve himself in the mitzvah of battling Amalek. According to Rashi these pesukim seem inconsistent with one another. On the one hand, Moshe raised his hand, turning the tide and effecting Klal Yisrael’s victory. On the other hand, Moshe is criticized for his atzlus, indolence, in not personally being involved in the war. How are these two ideas to be reconciled? Horav Eliyahu Meir Bloch, z.l., infers from this pasuk a profound insight into the responsibility of a manhig Yisrael, Torah leader. One…

Home -> 5756 -> Beshalach

Sruly Schnair In Beshalach, 5756

“Write this as a memorial in the Book… that I will surely erase the memory of Amalek from beneath the Heaven.” (17:14)

Ordinarily, the word “sefer” refers to a book or any form of written memorandum. The word used here is “ba’sefer” which denotes “the” book. Therefore, we must assume that herein Hashem implores Moshe to write this memorial in The Book — the Torah. Horav Avigdor Miller, Shlita, notes the significance of the fact that the very first command to write anything of the Torah was given for the purpose of exacting retribution from Amalek. This signifies the importance of combatting the enemies of Hashem. Even today when none of Amalek’s descendants are known, we are still implored to remember that…

Home -> 5755 -> Beshalach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beshalach, 5755

“And Hashem said to Moshe, ‘Why do you cry out to Me? Speak unto the Bnei Yisrael and let them journey forward.'” (14:15)

Rashi explains Hashem’s response to Moshe as he stood in supplication before Him. Hashem told Moshe, “Now, when Bnei Yisrael are in distress, is not the appropriate time to prolong one’s prayer. Let them go forward, for the merit of their forefathers and their own emunah, faith, which they have exhibited is sufficient cause for the sea to split before them.” This interpretation is enigmatic. Moshe was praying to Hashem during a time of severe crisis for Bnei Yisrael. Hashem told Moshe that now, when Bnei Yisrael were teetering on the brink of disaster, was not a time for prayer….

Home -> 5755 -> Beshalach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beshalach, 5755

“And the Bnei Yisrael went into the sea on dry land.” (14:22)

The Mechilta describes the scenario and dialogue that took place among the tribes prior to the splitting of the sea. Bnei Yisrael were standing by the shores of the Red Sea with the Egyptian army literally breathing down their necks. Suddenly, they began to argue about who should go into the water first. Each tribe vied for the opportunity to be the first to enter the Red Sea. During the negotiations, Nachshon ben Aminadav of the Tribe of Yehudah, jumped into the threatening waters. The tribe of Yehudah was indeed lauded for this singular act of devotion. As is stated…

Home -> 5755 -> Beshalach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beshalach, 5755

“And Bnei Yisrael saw the great hand (of Hashem)… and they believed in Hashem.” (14:31)

A Jew should strive to attain that sublime level of emunah in Hashem, so that he truly believes with a clarity of vision. Let us explain. We have the notion that “seeing is believing.” This means that in order to really believe, one must see. Hence, belief in a given concept is a step lower than actually seeing it. This is not the Torah perspective. The Chidushei Ha’Rim asserts that as Bnei Yisrael stood at the shores of the Red Sea and experienced unprecedented miracles, they were privy to a revelation of Hashem which was unparalleled. The Torah states that…

Home -> 5755 -> Beshalach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beshalach, 5755

“And your staff, with which you struck the river, take in your hand.” (17:5)

Rashi cites the Mechilta which takes note of the Torah’s emphasis on the staff “with which you struck the river.” When Bnei Yisrael were clamoring for water, Hashem said to Moshe, “Take the same staff that you used to bring plagues upon Egypt and strike the rock with it, and water shall come out.” Let Bnei Yisrael see that the same staff which brought about plague can also bring good. There is no dichotomy between the staff that brings evil and the one that brings good. Hashem is the source of both, and from Him only good emanates. We do…

Home -> 5755 -> Beshalach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beshalach, 5755

“And when he (Moshe) let down his hand then Amalek prevailed.” (17:11)

The Ramban cites the Midrash that explains why Moshe “allowed” his hands to be lowered, thereby endangering the Jews in battle. The Midrash explains that Moshe’s action was consistent with the dictates of halacha. Halacha states that one should not spend more than three hours with his hands spread out in prayer toward Heaven. Let us now attempt to reconcile this halacha with the matter of war against Amalek. Klal Yisrael was waging battle against a powerful and ruthless enemy. Amalek was an unscrupulous people, accustomed to violence. In contrast, Klal Yisrael had recently been liberated from a state of…

Home -> 5752 -> Beshalach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beshalach, 5752

“And Moshe took the bones of Yosef with him, for he had caused the Bnei Yisrael to swear… and you shall bring up my bones with you.” (13:19)

At first glance, the pasuk seems to downplay the performance of this mitzvah, by implying that the incentive was purely a result of a previous promise made to Yosef. The Talmud (Sota 9b) states, however, that because of Moshe’s preoccupation with this mitzvah he merited that Hashem Himself would engage in his burial. Therefore, we must deduce that the Torah is , in fact, teaching us the reason that Moshe merited Hashem’s personal engagement in this endeavor. Obviously, it wasn’t necessary for Yosef to exact a promise from Bnei Yisrael to take his bones out of Egypt. There were many…

Home -> 5752 -> Beshalach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beshalach, 5752

“And all the chariots of Egypt.” (14:7)

Rashi cites the Midrash that states that the animals which were hitched to these chariots belonged to those select Egyptians who feared the word of Hashem. They had removed their animals from the fields during the hailstorm, which was the sixth plague. The cattle of these G-d fearing individuals were endangering Jewish lives. This Midrash clearly satirizes the G-d-fearing Egyptians. They feared Hashem only when the lives of their cattle were at stake, but overtly defied Him when the issue was Jewish survival. Our people have confronted this type of blatant hypocrisy throughout history. The very same people who professed…

Home -> 5752 -> Beshalach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Beshalach, 5752

“And Moshe made Yisrael journey from the Red Sea.” (15:22)

Rashi explains that Moshe was obligated to force Bnei Yisrael to journey away from the Red Sea. One would imagine that once they had triumphed over the Egyptian enemy, Bnei Yisrael would anxiously proceed with all available speed to reach their desired destination. This was not the case, however. They stopped to collect the booty left over by their enemy. As Chazal state, the gold, silver, and precious stones which had adorned the Egyptian horses and chariots were now available to the victors. Bnei Yisrael became preoccupied with the collections of these material goods. Unfortunately. throughout Jewish history, Jews…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> Beshalach ->

“And it was when Moshe held up his hand that Yisrael prevailed .” (17:11)

“Write this as a memorial in the Book… that I will surely erase the memory of Amalek from beneath the Heaven.” (17:14)

“And Hashem said to Moshe, ‘Why do you cry out to Me? Speak unto the Bnei Yisrael and let them journey forward.'” (14:15)

“And the Bnei Yisrael went into the sea on dry land.” (14:22)

“And Bnei Yisrael saw the great hand (of Hashem)… and they believed in Hashem.” (14:31)

“And your staff, with which you struck the river, take in your hand.” (17:5)

“And when he (Moshe) let down his hand then Amalek prevailed.” (17:11)

“And Moshe took the bones of Yosef with him, for he had caused the Bnei Yisrael to swear… and you shall bring up my bones with you.” (13:19)

“And all the chariots of Egypt.” (14:7)

“And Moshe made Yisrael journey from the Red Sea.” (15:22)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!