YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Bo
When Bnei Yisrael left Egypt, they took with them various "pitzuim," articles of severance. These included significant amounts of valuables, such as gold & silver. But Hashem uses the word "Na-please," which seems out of place: Was it really necessary to persuade the Jews to
take gold & silver?! Were they not happy to collect it?
Rashi quotes a Midrash that G-d was concerned that His earlier promise to Avraham, "They will leave with great wealth," (BR: 15:13), should be fulfilled no less than the promise of their enslavement. Yet this still doesn’t answer why the Jews should be at all reluctant to take the money!
One obvious approach is that we did not want to "let the Egyptians off the hook," as if to say their giving us large amounts of money could somehow compensate for 117 years of brutal slavery, torture & genocide. This is akin to the debate in the early years of the State of Israel as to whether or not we should accept German reparations for the terrible atrocities of the Nazis. Indeed, many survivors refused to take them; Israel did accept them, but very reluctantly.
The Pninei HaTorah has another explanation. By pressing us to accept the gold & silver, Hashem was creating an opportunity for Bnei Yisrael to perform an act in consonance with G-d’s will, rather than just "do what comes naturally." For every time we react positively to a
Mitzva, a commandment, we show our allegiance to Hashem & strengthen our bond with Him. "Gadol ha’m’tzuveh, mi’mi sheh-ayno m’tzuveh;" Greater is one who is commanded and acts, as opposed to one who acts without being commanded. Had we taken the gold & silver of our own volition, we would have become wealthy, but we would not have come closer to G-d, which is truly the most precious attainment.
This is a valuable lesson in how we should approach every opportunity & situation in life. Hashem constantly gives us the very things we crave; He commands us to eat lavish meals, or to take time off of work to celebrate. He also tells us to avoid doing repulsive things, such as refraining from eating insects. We gladly accept these prizes, but gain extra credit because they are "packaged" in a Mitzva.
Living in Israel creates a unique, no-lose proposition for a practicing Jew. If times are hard, we gain merit for our self-sacrifice, our Mesirat Nefesh. And if times are good – as they generally are! – we rack up points with the Almighty by fulfilling a Mitzva that, say the Rabbis, is equal to keeping the entire Torah!
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.
