Hamaayan/The Torah Spring Edited by Shlomo Katz Parashat Beshalach Volume VII/Number (303) 15 Shevat 5753/February 6, 1993 We read in this week's Parasha "And Moshe said, 'Eat it [the Mahn] today, for today is Shabbat, for Hashem; today you will not find it in the field'." In its simplest meaning, Moshe's statement means that on Shabbat the Mahn will not be found in the fields. But, says R' Yechezkel Abramsky, zatzal (1886-1976; head of the London Bet Din and later a Rosh Yeshiva of the Slobodka Yeshiva), Shabbat, too, is not found in the fields. The spirit of Shabbat does not come to one who does not have his mind on it; in fact, one must be looking out for it all week long. Our physical observance of Shabbat should inform our mental observance. No one puts on his Shabbat clothes without removing his weekday clothes. So, too, our materialistic weekday state-of- mind must give way to a special Shabbat state-of-mind. A spirit of calm and restfulness comes to the world on Shabbat, but only one who observes all of Shabbat's laws can sense that spirit. Such a person attains the "Neshama Yeteirah" - literally translated, "extra soul" - with which Shabbat is blessed. (Chazon Yechezkel, Intro. to Masechet Shabbat) ************************************ The primary redemption, says R' Yaakov Moshe Charlap, zatzal (1883-1951; student of R' Kook and his successor as Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Merkaz haRav), is too great to be brought about through other nations. This is why, after Pharaoh had given Bnei Yisrael permission to leave, he had to change his mind. The same will be true of the final redemption. The nations of the world will control Eretz Yisrael and will give us the right to settle there. Before the redemption can be complete, however, they will have to regret their decision, so that it will be clear that Hashem alone has redeemed us. (quoted in Ohr haTehiyah p.24) ************************************ A person is required to perform all of his actions from the perspective of truth, says R' Mordechai Shulman, zatzal (1902-1953; Slabodka Rosh Yeshiva). Even Pharaoh was required to fulfill G-d's will out of a recognition of truth. He was made to realize that Moshe's prophecy was true. (In fact, we find that Pharaoh searched for the truth. Chazal say that he sent his servants to examine the encyclopedia in search of an answer to the question (5:2), "Who is G-d?") If Pharaoh was expected to free Bnei Yisrael out of recognition of the truth, it follows that when Moshe first came to him, he was capable of seeing the truth. What stops a person from recognizing the truth immediately? His preconceived notions which blind him. (quoted in Legacy of Slabodka p.144) ************************************ The Exodus was not complete until "Kri'at Yam Suf" - the splitting of the Red (or Reed) Sea, says R' Zalman Rotberg, shlita (Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Bet Meir in Bnei Brak). Until then, Hashem's purpose, to reveal His power and majesty, was not accomplished. At the sea, though, Bnei Yisrael did not just see five more fingers (see 8:15), they saw Hashem's great hand (14:31), i.e. they saw the completed deed of Hashem. The main purpose of Hashem's miracles was to teach Bnei Yisrael, not to impress the Egyptians. Unlike Bnei Yisrael, Pharaoh and his servants were not moved to spontaneous song by the miracles which they witnessed. [Note: The Midrash says that Pharaoh survived the splitting of the sea.] Now, after Bnei Yisrael witnessed the culmination of these miracles, the same Pasuk can tell us, "They believed in Hashem." (Tuv Da'at III, p.57) ************************************ "This is my G-d and I will beautify Him, the G-d of my fathers and I will elevate Him." (15:2) Faith which one attains on his own ("This is my G-d") is beautiful, says R' Aharon Rokeach, zatzal (1880-1957; the "Belzer Rebbe"). However, the faith which we have learned from our ancestors is even more elevated. It is more pleasant, because just as we can attain faith on our own, so we can lose it. (quoted in Ta'am vaDa'at II p.99) ************************************ "....And Bnei Yisrael called out to G-d." (14:10) This Midrash says that at this moment, Bnei Yisrael followed in the footsteps of the Patriarchs and called out to G-d for help. Why, asks R' Shimon Schwab, shlita (leader of K'hal Adat Yeshurun), is this prayer considered to be in the Patriarchs footsteps? After all, wouldn't anyone turn to G-d if he were in the impossible situation in which Bnei Yisrael found themselves? What the Midrash means is this: When Bnei Yisrael found themselves surrounded on the banks of the sea, their "Bitachon" - confidence in G-d - was weakened. Like the Patriarchs, they prayed that Hashem would help them regain their confidence. Where do we find that the Patriarchs prayed so? We say in our prayers, "May the One who answered Avraham at Har haMoriah answer us." What did Avraham pray for? The confidence and the courage to slaughter Yitzchak in fulfillment of Hashem's command. We, too, should pray that Hashem help us maintain, and even strengthen, our confidence in Him. (Selected Speeches p.127) ************************************ The Gemara (Pesachim 118a) says, "Man's livelihood is as difficult as the splitting of the sea." What does this mean? It is certainly not referring to man's perspective, notes R' Avigdor Miller, shlita, for man does earn a livelihood, but he cannot split the sea. Rather, it means that man must acknowledge the miracle of his livelihood as being even more complex than the splitting of the sea. Chazal say that Bnei Yisrael witnessed 250 miracles at the sea. One banana or one onion, a gallon of milk or a load of bread - each of these contains more than 250 different wonders of Hashem. Even if we could discover them all, we can never understand the full extent of Hashem's wonders. Nevertheless, we should be aware that they exist. (Rejoice O Youth! p.318) ************************************ "And Amalek came and fought Yisrael at Refidim." (17:8) Chazal say that the name "Refidim" is short for "Rafu yedeihem: - "They loosened their grip [on Torah]." This is why Amalek attacked them at that place. Bnei Yisrael had not actually received the Torah at that point. Rather, explains R' Mordechai Gifter, shlita (Telzer Rosh Yeshiva), they loosened their grip, so-to-speak, on their yearning for the day when they would receive the Torah. One of the reasons for counting the Omer is to symbolize that countdown from the Exodus to the giving of the Torah, but at Refidim, Bnei Yisrael relaxed that count. The consequences, as we know, were disastrous. (Pirkei Mo'ed p.124) ************************************ One time, the "Amshinover Rebbe" (R' Meir Kalish; 1901-1976) was hospitalized and required a blood transfusion. Somebody rushed to tell the Rebbe's neighbor and close friend, R' Yechezkel Abramsky (see front page). R' Abramsky expressed his concern for the Rebbe's welfare, and added, "I pray every day that I should not require a blood transfusion." "When does the Rosh Yeshiva (i.e. R' Abramsky) say this prayer?" asked the visitor, perplexed. "In 'Birkat haMazon'," R' Abramsky answered, "when we say the words, 'Please do not bring us to need the gifts of flesh and blood'." "But this is not what the words mean," the visitor protested. "Whenever a Jew is pressed with a problem," responded R' Abramsky, "he may fit his request into any appropriate part of the prayers. Hashem understands our intentions and can answer us." ************************************ The learning schedule for this Shabbat is: Machshirin 3:8-4:1 O.C. 551:2-4 Ketubot 102 Yerushalmi - Berachot 66 Rambam Ch/Day - Hilchot Shevitat Yom Tov - Chapter 6 3 Ch/Day - Hilchot Be'at Hamikdash - Chapters 5-7 Sefer Hamitzvot Sh:N75,N76,P24,N69-71; Su:N74,P61,N91-93; M:N94-97,P86; Tu:P60,N100,N98,P62,N99; W:P63,N146,P64; Th:N139,N112,P65; F:P89,N145,N148 ************************************ The hard copy distribution of this weeks Hamaayan is sponsored by: Dr. and Mrs. Irving Katz and family in memory of grandmother, Henia Rachel bat Pinchas Spalter mother, Fradel bat Yaakov Shalom Reiss, and father, Chaim Eliezer ben Avigdor Moshe haKohen Katz Avi Greengart in honor of his graduation from Yeshiva University and on his brother's Bar Mitzvah Henry and Rachel Holland in honor of their grandson Adiel Yaakov Holland Loretta and Manny Sadwin and family on the Yahrzeit of Loretta's mother, Anna Smolar ************************************ Donations to Hamaayan are tax deductible