A Quick Torah Thought

One would almost have to be insentient to not empathize with Moshe Rabbeinu in this week's Torah portion, Beshalach. Faced with inexorable complaints, Moshe, like so many other prophets who would prophesy in his wake, felt his life to be in danger - "In a moment's time," Moshe says to Hashem, "the masses will stone me to death." Amongst all of the new rigors Moshe faces, he has to inculcate in the Jewish people, an immature nation with little solidarity and guiding light, a sense of faith in Hashem, and His ability to help the Jewish people at every turn.  People's demands for water are answered. And then for food. But in the midst of the unfolding of these events, a very interesting vignette is related, bearing seemingly little importance, but which sheds great light on the onus of responsibility imposed on a Jewish leader.  Moshe, through the virtue of his prayer and unmediated communication with Hashem, bestows upon the people the gift of heavenly bre...

 Reading the Parsha this morning, I found a very clear comparison between Mordechai and Moshe. Both celebrated leaders stuck their head out for our people, refusing to shy away from conflict, sacrificing their own stature, and personal equanimity and serenity for the betterment of the whole.  The reason I have chosen to compare them is the similarity in language used for both parties. It is rare in the Tanach for the verse to speak of the popularity and charisma of our leaders, and the following they beckon to rise to the call. With that said, the identical language is used to describe Moshe Rabbeinu and Mordechai.  As for Moshe, "The LORD disposed the Egyptians favorably toward the people. Moreover, Moses himself was much esteemed in the land of Egypt, among Pharaoh’s courtiers and among the people." ( https://www.sefaria.org.il/Exodus.11.3?lang=en&with=all&lang2=en ) Regarding Mordechai, "For Mordecai was great in the king’s house, and his fame went forth throu...

 There is a very subtle and nuanced difference between Moshe Rabbeinu and Pharaoh. It is clear that Pharaoh was an autocrat, and merciless ruler; Rashi cites the midrash that when he decreed that the Jews throw their sons into the Nile, he also decreed that the Egyptians themselves do so for one day. Pharaoh, like so many dictators we saw in the last century, ignored - even to their own demise - the better counsel of their closest advisors.  But, there seems to be a pronounced difference, hinted at by a mere word in this week's parshah, that speaks volumes about the effectiveness of one leader over the next.  As everyone knows, Moshe, was not a complacent man, who stayed at home - at arm's length, eschewing communal responsibility. Rather, his empathy beckoned, drawing him out, to see his fellow Jew's suffering and agony. Lavished with the luxury of Pharaoh's palace, Moshe found no comfort in the opulence in his midst. "Some time after that, when Moses had grown up...

There's a passage in this week's Parsha, Shemot, that I always found odd.  "But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and free the Israelites from Egypt?” And He said, “I will be with you; that shall be your sign that it was I who sent you. And when you have freed the people from Egypt, you shall worship God at this mountain.”           https://www.sefaria.org.il/Exodus.3.11-12?lang=en&aliyot=0 In essence, Moshe's request for a sign is answered by Hashem's reply, and I'll paraphrase, "After you stick your neck out, suffer immensely, live in exile from your wife and children, are belittled by Pharaoh, his servants, and are even denigrated by Jewish officers and officials who feel that you are exacerbating the Jewish people's plight - after all of that, a trial by fire many many times over, then - after all of that - you will come to this mountain, and worship me."  For a sense of perspective, take this as a theoretical e...

It would seem from the Talmud (Nedarim 50b), that one's scholarly achievements are inversely related to his attractiveness. For proof, I bring you this story that took place between the Roman Emperor's daughter, and the illustrious scholar, "Rabbi Yehoshua ben Ḥananya." "The daughter of the emperor said to Rabbi Yehoshua ben Ḥananya: You are the epitome of magnificent Torah, but it is stored in an ugly vessel, as Rabbi Yehoshua ben Ḥananya was an unattractive man. He said to her: You may learn the answer to your statement from your father’s house. In what container do you place wine? She said to him: In earthenware vessels. He said to her: Is it conceivable that everyone stores their wine in earthenware vessels, and you also store it in earthenware vessels? Is there no distinction between the emperor and ordinary people? You should place your wine in vessels of silver and gold. She went and placed the wine in vessels of silver and gold, and it spoiled. Rabbi Yeho...