Note: The Shabbos Torah Reading is divided into 7 sections. Each section is
called and Aliya [literally: Go up] since for each Aliya, one person "goes up"
to make a bracha [blessing] on the Torah Reading.
1st Aliya: The Bnai Yisroel (Children of Israel - Jews) had left
Mitzrayim (Egypt). The closest route to Eretz Yisroel (The Land of Israel) was
along the Mediterranean coast up into Israel. However; this territory was
occupied by the Philistines. The Bnai Yisroel were not ready for a battle, so
Hashem (G-d) lead them toward the Sea of Reeds. Pharaoh was informed that The
Bnai Yisroel appeared to be lost, and he strengthened his resolve and that of
his people and pursued the Jews into the Desert.
2nd Aliya: The Egyptians caught up to the Jews as they were camped by the
edge of the sea. (Imagine the thundering sound, and cloud of dust that 600
charging chariots must have made and you can begin to understand the pure terror
that must have struck the hearts of the people.) Moshe reassured them that they
only had to trust Hashem and stand silently as His awesome majesty wiped out the
might of Mitzrayim.
3rd Aliya: Moshe was told to stretch out his staff over the sea. Hashem
separated the Jews from the Egyptians with a cloud cover and caused an Easterly
wind to blow the entire night. As the waters parted, the Bnai Yisroel entered
between the towering walls of water and crossed to the other side. The Egyptians
chased after them into the parted waters of the sea.
4th Aliya: Moshe stretched his arm back over the sea and the waters
returned to their natural state, drowning the might and glory of Egypt's best.
The Bnai Yisroel witnessed G-d's awesome display of justice and they believed in
the reality of Hashem and in the appointment of Moshe as His most trusted
servant. Moshe, and then Miriam, lead the Bnai Yisroel in a spontaneous song of
exaltation and thanksgiving. The incident with the bitter waters at Marah is
detailed.
5th Aliya: The Bnai Yisroel struggled with the realities of their
experience, attempting to balance faith with practical concerns for survival.
The concerns for food and water were overwhelming and Moshe promised them quail
and Maana. These "miracles" were introduced to the Jews as evidence of Hashem's
love, caring, honor and glory.
6th Aliya: The Bnai Yisroel were given strict instructions regarding the
gathering and eating of the Maana. They were introduced to Shabbos, and an urn
of Manna was saved for posterity.
7th Aliya: The nation traveled to Rephidim, and confronted Moshe over the
issue of water. Moshe saw this as an unnecessary challenge to Hashem's caring
and love. Hashem instructed Moshe to hit the rock and bring forth water. The
final episode in the Parsha was Amalek's unprovoked attack on the newly
independent nation. Yehoshua lead the attack against Amalek while Moshe, Aharon,
and Chur (Miriam's son) stood atop the battle field with Moshe's arms stretched
heavenward. Hashem commanded us to eradicate and never forget Amalek's evil.
Parsha Summary by Rabbi Aron Tendler
Rabbi of Shaarey Zedek Congregation, North Hollywood, CA
Assistant Principal, YULA
Torah Portion of the Week
Beshalach
The Jewish people leave Egypt. Pharaoh regrets letting them go, pursues them
leading his chosen chariot corps and a huge army. The Jews rebel and cry out to
Moses, "Weren't there enough graves in Egypt? Why did you bring us out here to
die in the desert?" The Yam Soof, the Sea of Reeds (usually mistranslated as the
Red Sea) splits, the Jews cross over, the Egyptians pursue and the sea returns
and drowns the Egyptians. Moses with the men and Miriam with the women --each
separately -- sing praises of thanks to the Almighty.
They arrive at Marah and rebel over the bitter water. Moses throws a certain
tree in the water to make it drinkable. The Almighty then tells the Israelites,
"If you obey God your Lord and do what is upright in His eyes, carefully heeding
all His commandments and keeping all His decrees, then I will not strike you
with any of the sicknesses that I brought on Egypt. I am God who heals you."
(This is why the Hagaddah strives to prove there were more than 10 plagues in
Egypt -- the greater the number of afflictions, the greater number from which we
are protected.)
Later the Israelites rebel over lack of food; God provides quail and manna (a
double portion was given on the sixth day to last through Shabbat; we have two
challahs for each meal on Shabbat to commemorate the double portion of manna).
Moses then instructs them concerning the laws of Shabbat. At Rephidim, they
rebel again over water. God tells Moses to strike a stone which then gave forth
water. Finally, the portion concludes with the war against Amalek and the
command to "obliterate the memory of Amalek from under the heavens."
Dvar Torah
based on Growth Through Torah by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin
During our 40 years sojourn in the desert, we were attacked by the nation of
Amalek. While the battle took place, Moshe stood on the top of a hill and raised
his hands towards the heavens. This reminded the Jewish people to subject their
hearts to the Almighty so that they would succeed and be victorious over Amalek.
The Torah states:
"And the hands of Moshe were heavy and they took a rock and placed it under him
and he sat on it." (Exodus 17:12)
Why did Moshe sit on a rock and not on pillows?
Rashi, the great commentator, informs us that Moshe sat on a rock and not on
pillows because he did not want to sit in comfort while Jews were in danger and
suffering. He wanted to feel their suffering and to share it. Rabbi Yeruchem
Levovitz teaches that this is a lesson for us regarding how to feel another
person's suffering. Don't just imagine the pain of another, but do something
physically to actually feel his pain.
Empathy is such an important attribute that we should make every effort to feel
for another person. By being aware of how a little discomfort bothers us, we can
have greater empathy for others --especially those coming to our door or meeting
us in the street asking for tzedakah!
Q & A: WHAT IS TU B'SHEVAT AND HOW IS IT CELEBRATED.
Tuesday 25th January , is Tu B'Shevat. Unbeknownst to many Jews, there are four
"Rosh Hashanahs," New Years, in a calendar year (the first Mishna -- teaching --
in the Talmudic tractate of Rosh Hashanah):
1. The first of the Hebrew month Nissan is the New Year with regards to counting
the years in the reign of the Kings of Israel.
2. The first of Elul is the New Year with regards to tithing of the animals.
(One out of ten animals born within that calendar year from Elul until the
beginning of Elul the following year was given to the Temple.)
3. The first of Tishrei is the New Year for the judgment of mankind -- for life
and death, rich or poor, sickness or health -- as well as for counting the
Sabbatical Year (Shmita) and the Jubilee year (Yovel) for the land of Israel;
the counting of the first three years of a fruit tree when the fruit is not
allowed to be eaten (Orlah), and calculating the tithes for grain and
vegetables.
4. The 15th of Shevat is the New Year for trees with reference to calculating
tithes due to be given from fruit of trees in the time of the Temple in
Jerusalem.
Tu B'Shevat is a festive day. The Torah praises the Land of Israel with
reference to the fruits of the trees and the produce of the soil:
"A land of wheat and barley and vines (grapes) and fig trees and pomegranates; a
land of olive trees and (date) honey ... and you shall eat and be satisfied, and
bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you." (Deut.
8:8-10)
The Jewish people rejoice in the fruits, in the Land and in the Almighty Who has
given us life.
It is celebrated by eating the special types of fruits for which Israel is
renowned: dates, pomegranates, figs, grapes -- and buxer (carob or St. John's
bread -- I don't think he was Jewish, though). It's also celebrated by planting
trees in Israel and if you can't get to Israel, you can purchase trees to be
planted in Israel from your local Jewish National Fund Office.
