In last year’s article on this parshah, we explored the matter of the names Moshe conferred upon his children. The passuk states: שֵׁם הָאֶחָד גֵּרְשֹׁם כִּי אָמַר גֵּר הָיִיתִי בְּאֶרֶץ נָכְרִיָּה, וְשֵׁם הָאֶחָד אֱלִיעֶזֶר כִּי־אֱלֹקֵי אָבִי בְּעֶזְרִי וַיַּצִּלֵנִי מֵחֶרֶב פַּרְעֹה – “The name of the one of them was Gershom, for (Moshe) said: ‘I was a stranger (ger) in a foreign land.’ And the name of the other was Eliezer – ‘For the [...]
Did you ever notice how parents react to the exploits of their toddlers? Let us say, for example, that on the way to the babysitter, the young child – of his own accord – picks up his coat and even puts it on. Most likely, his parents will be beside themselves with joy. “Hooray!” they might exclaim, and clap enthusiastically over the little one’s display of prowess [...]
There appears to be a discrepancy regarding the timing of the climactic plague, Makkas Bechoros (Plague of the Firstborn). When Moshe announces the upcoming event in this week’s parshah, he avoids pinpointing a specific time, merely stating instead that it would occurכַּחֲצֹת הַלַּיְלָה – “around midnight” (Shemos 11:4). When relating the actual execution, however, the Torah does employ exactitude in the matter, as it states: וַיְהִי בַּחֲצִי הַלַּיְלָה וַד' הִכָּה כָל־בְּכוֹר בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם – “And [...]
Perhaps one of the most familiar, cherished aspects of the Seder night and the Exodus narrative in general is the topic of the Esser Makkos, the Ten Plagues that Hashem visited upon the Egyptians. But as the Ramchal famously states in the introduction to his classic work Mesilas Yesharim: “Together with universal familiarity... comes also a lack of scrutiny and deep understanding” [paraphrased]. While so many of us are [...]
There are certain episodes recorded in the Torah, the knowledge of which – for one reason or another – is a universal phenomenon. Regardless of background, level of affiliation, etc., it seems that almost everyone has familiarity with them. One of these appears in this week’s parshah – Moshe’s encounter with the burning bush. While tending the flock, he happens upon a most remarkable sight: a bush which, while [...]
One of the first things one pictures upon hearing the term “beis hakevaros” (graveyard) is, of course, the many tombstones arrayed in this solemn and hallowed place. The institution known as “matzeivah” (tombstone) is obviously a time-honored and universally adopted practice. It may be worthwhile, however, to take a moment to reflect upon the nature of this convention. What is the idea behind this custom? Is it [...]
Powerful Words of Inspiration
From Rabbi Yissocher Frand
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