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Sons of Israel swear: ‘Hashem will certainly redeem you, and you shall take up my bones with you from here’" (Shemot 13:19). There are several questions one can ask about this pasuk. Why did Moshe, specifically, have to take Yosef’s remains? Why does it mention that he took specifically Yosef’s bones, as (assuming the other brothers were also buried in Egypt- Rashi), the brothers’ should have been taken as well? Why does it stress that he took the bones because Yosef made them swear, if a request should have been enough?
It is very possible that one question answers the other. The Netziv assumes that the other brothers were exhumed and taken with them, but that was done by each tribe for its forebear. Only Yosef was taken by Moshe himself. The Seforno explains that since Bnei Yisrael had sworn to Yosef, it was the present leader, Moshe, who had to ensure that the national obligation via oath was fulfilled.
Rav Hirsch suggests that Yosef is singled out because he was a model of belief that Hashem would redeem His nation as promised, as opposed to many in Bnei Yisrael who later on doubted that Hashem would bring victory to the nation. One can argue with the rigorousness of the comparison’s logic. Yosef said only that at some point, redemption would take place. He did not say how long it would take or how many martyrs would be lost before it happened. Bnei Yisrael, on the other hand, were nervous that they might be killed in battle for the Land, whereas the promise might be kept later.
In any case, it is not clear why Yosef needed to make the family/nation swear. Was it so important to him that the nation’s leader would take him out, and not his great grandchildren? It is possible that Yosef was concerned how he would be viewed in Jewish history. He was the one who orchestrated the move to Egypt. In the beginning, it looked like a move that really paid off, as they went from famine to riches and fame. However, by the time of his death, the transition to helplessness and even slavery could be seen by the likes of Yosef. So, the dream of leading his brothers, for their benefit, was turning into a national disaster. The uncle who spent his entire adult life in Egypt had taken them from their homeland to his homeland for the benefit of his dream and their nightmare.
Yosef told the young generation that the stay in Egypt was temporary and part of a process of geula that had to come. This was the reason he had brought them down to Egypt. In fact, he was not only sure of their eventual liberation and return to their homeland but wanted to be (posthumously) at the helm, as they left Egypt in shambles. He would be buried where, to a great extent, it all began, in Shechem (see Chizkuni). Indeed, Jewish leaders do not purposely want to remain buried in exile in order to glorify the past stay in that exile. Those stays, despite the occasional golden eras, repeatedly begin and/or end with oppression and heartbreak.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
