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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Parashat Hashavua
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Va'era
Working on these tasks were not only Moshe, Aharon, and Miriam but also the elders and the Jewish taskmasters (shotrim), with each group having its role. The shotrim had to protect the nation from Paroh’s decrees and his attempt to break the Jewish slaves’ spirit. The shotrim paid a heavy price, as they were beaten violently when their brethren were unable to keep up with the escalating work demands (Shemot 5:14). They also received a great reward. They achieved prophecy (Shemot Rabba 5:20), became leaders (Bamidbar Rabba 12:16), and became members of Sanhedrin (Rashi, Shemot 5:14).
The elders were supposed to help convince the people of the upcoming liberation (Shemot 4:29). They were also supposed to take part in the negotiations with Paroh, but they were too afraid of him to make it all the way to the palace with Moshe (Rashi, Shemot 5:1). Their negative payback is that when Moshe approached the Divine Presence on Sinai to receive the Torah, the elders had to remain behind (ibid. 24:1-2).
Shemot, ch. 5 describes the meeting between Moshe and Aharon and Paroh, in which they demanded that Paroh allow the nation to go and serve Hashem. The results were extremely harsh. Not only did Paroh not agree to set the slaves free, but he doubled down on the slavery, with the following new directives: "You will no longer receive the straw to make the bricks like you did yesterday and the day before (kit’mol shilshom). Rather, they shall go and gather straw" (ibid. 5:7). "The amount of bricks that they made t’mol shilshom shall be placed upon them …" (ibid. 8). Then the taskmasters were beaten because of the claim, "Why did you not complete the quota to make bricks kit’mol shilshom?" After the turn for the worse, Moshe and Aharon lost popularity with the people, who accused them of compromising their already tenuous position.
Clearly the key phrase to this section is t’mol shilshom. The phrase comes up in a slightly altered fashion at Moshe’s "negotiations" with Hashem, recorded as part of the discussion at the burning bush. Moshe argued against his leadership by claiming that "I am not a man of words, neither t’mol nor shilshom" (Shemot 4:10). We have posited (see Tzofnat Yeshayahu, p. 198-209) that the instructions to Moshe of how to approach his mission found in ch. 5-6 actually preceded those found in the section on the burning bush. That is the reason that in expressing his lack of willingness to take up the task, he used the term of t’mol shilshom, claiming that his lack of ability to speak was part of what caused the fiasco of the increased work requirements highlighted with that phrase.
We do not believe that a process of liberation will come without difficulties, and it is necessary to follow a long road toward it. Belief and patience are the tools for dealing with these challenges.
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
