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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Shmot
A name is a fascinating thing. On the one hand, it’s just a word, a handle, a way for others to call us rather than merely saying, "Hey, you!" But our name goes much deeper & higher than that. In mystical fashion, our name represents our very essence, our character, our mission, our unique personality. The word "shem," to illustrate this, is at the very center of the word "neshama" or soul.
Fittingly, the story of our becoming a nation is called, Shmot - Names. We each have our own, individual name. That is something which no one can take away from us (though the Nazis tried). We react instinctively & are proud of our name, because it reminds us that we are each a valuable person, that we have self-worth. Hashem knows each of us by name; He recognizes us individually & cherishes our existence.
And we have a collective name, as well. When put all together, we are Yisrael. That name contains within it our 2 most outstanding qualities: We are Yashar, morally upright; & we are devoted to El, Hashem. If we live up to those ideals, then each of us a Sar-El a prince of G-d. The letters of Yisrael also encompass our progenitors, the Avot & Imahot: Yud for Yitzchak & Yakov; Shin for Sara; Raish for Rivka; Alef for Avraham; Lamed for Leah.
In Gematriya, Yisrael (541) equals HaMitzvot. We are defined by the commandments we keep. It also equals Or V’Choshech, light & darkness. We are a people of intense energy; either we are a source of brilliance in the world, or afflicted with gloom. We are never in-between.
The most prominent name in our Sedra, of course, is Moshe, a most intriguing name. It can be Egyptian, recalling Moshe’s early years spent in Paro’s palace. It can also be Hebrew, telling the story of his life, how he was plucked out of the water. And it can also define Moshe’s mandate: "He who pulls others out." Out of slavery, out of exile & subjugation & into freedom.
Our name represents our potential for greatness. Our Sages say that when we neglect to live up to our name, we place ourselves in a kind of personal exile. And so the custom, at the conclusion of the Amida, is to recite p’sukim connected to our name & then to say the verse, Hashem Tzuri V’Goali; G-d is my Rock & my Redeemer.
So what’s in a name? Our history, our destiny, our path to redemption. May we all merit to acquire a good name, a Shem Tov. It’s what we’ll take with us to Olam Haba.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
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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.
