YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Va'era
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
Several commentaries struggle with the kal vachomer: The Torah says that the people did not listen to Moshe because of "shortness of spirit and hard work" (ibid.:9), matters unrelated to Par’oh, so how did his argument work? When Moshe eventually returned to Par’oh, Par’oh said to him: "Give for yourselves a sign" (Shemot 7:9). Commentaries are troubled by the language of giving a sign to them as it should be "to me" [Par’oh]. I once saw an explanation that Par’oh was actually teasing Moshe, saying that if you are not able to show signs to your own people and get them behind you, then you are not representing anybody. As for himself, Par’oh was difficult to impress with little miracles of the type that Moshe began with, as Egypt was filled with sorcerers who could do impressive things. This approach would cause the "kal vachomer" to work a little differently. It is not merely that it is harder to convince Par’oh than to convince Bnei Yisrael, which might be true, but that having Bnei Yisrael on board could have been a pre-requisite for the mission.
Was Par’oh right that as long as Moshe did not convince his people, he did not represent anybody and was thereby doomed to failure? Let us divide the answer into two. Firstly, he did not initially need to represent anybody because he represented a "non-body," Hashem. It was Hashem who decided on the time and the means for the Exodus. As a matter of fact, Moshe did not need to impress Par’oh with soaring rhetoric. What he needed to do was authentically represent Hashem in relaying his messages to Par’oh, so that Par’oh would have no choice but to see and understand the context of His increasingly harsh messages.
On the other hand, Moshe did need to galvanize the people of Israel to be ready to embrace Hashem with deep belief, a family legacy from the forefathers, which had to be reawakened for them to merit salvation. The people, who were overall extremely passive in a "would-be revolt," had to be ready to circumcise their males, sacrifice an Egyptian deity to Hashem, and be ready to leave for the desert most minimally prepared physically (see Yirmiyah 31:1). The miracles Moshe performed helped jump-start their belief in his leadership, feelings that were weakened during the ensuing difficulties, and then grew as Hashem’s miracles took on unseen proportions. Their experience with His trustworthy, humble messenger proved Moshe to be an honest representative of the Lord of their forefathers.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
