Resurrection and being born again every day! 

Learning to see the world through new eyes. 

The Dew of Torah

Déjà vu all over again

Yitro – Eliminating Evil 5780 The Secret of overcoming Raah 

Rashi comments: There is a star whose name is ' רעה ' (Ra’ah). Pharaoh said to them, “I see through my astrological predictions that star ascending to meet you in the midbar; and it is an omen of blood and killing.”  

'What did Yitro hear that made him come? He heard about the splitting of the sea and the war against Amalek.' 

Yes, we are the chosen people. Yes, we stood at Sinai and heard the words of the Creator Himself. Yes, G-d is involved in each of our lives moment by moment. We see it in the miracles of our own day; the miracles of the six day war and the miracles of building a land. A generation ago the death knell was heard, the tolling of the bell was impossible to miss, both Jews and non-Jews predicted the demise of a Torah observant people. Yet today we see more people learning than at any other point since the destruction of the Temple 2000 years ago. We see more acts of kindness and charity. This is a G-d’s miracle. But we have seen up close what Amalek can do. And still today there is Amalek in the world.   

Naaseh VeNishma Thought and Action Joe R Bibi A'H 5782 

Connection to BeShalach: We are told that Amalek was able to attack only because we weren’t studying properly.  

LOH HAMIDRASH Ikar ELEH HAMaaseh  

Tefilin shel yad and tefilin shel rosh 

We see that NACHSHON is granted that his children will become kings when he jumps into the sea.  

This teaches us that the sea split for Yisrael in the merit of their “emunah.” Therefore, those tzaddikim who believed in Hashem and his loyal servant Moshe, and jumped into the raging waters without fear for their lives, deserved to have the sea split on their behalf. 

The Sea Split a Second Time Specifically for Datan and Aviram 

The Sea Was Enraged by Datan and Aviram 

BeShalach 5780 Shvilei Pinchas Galut Daat

HKB”H said to Moshe “Those dear to me are drowning in the sea, and you linger before Me in prayer?” Moshe responded: “What am I to do?” HKB”H replied: “Speak to Bnei Yisrael and let them journey. And you, lift up your staff and stretch out your arm over the sea.” 

It is man’s task to ensure that the three intellectual aspects in the brain control the seven-character traits of the heart — not allowing them to satisfy his heart’s desires.  

This is the modus operandi of the yetzer. It introduces doubt and uncertainty into a person’s heart and mind: Why are you learning this subject instead of another subject? Why are you serving Hashem in this way and not in that way? In this manner, it
confuses man to the point that he is uncertain as to how to act and proceed.  

Three plagues of Darkness

Borrowing the dishes 

The promise to Abraham 

Why dishes? 

Why borrow?

Killing the gods of Egypt 

Moses in a state of shock and embarrassment runs back to G-d and complains. “Why did you do evil to these people? Why did you send me? From the moment I arrived at Pharaoh to speak in your name, only more evil befell the nation. And obviously I did not do anything to save your nation.” 

Hashem assures Moses that he will now see what will be done to Pharaoh and how Pharaoh will set the people free. But Hashem doesn’t seem to answer Moses question, or does He? 

The rabbis point out that the strange combination found in the opening words of this week’s portion are in essence an answer from G-d to Moses. We begin with the words, Vaydaber Elokim – as we have explained in the past this verb for speaking denotes a harsh tone from the aspect of Elokim or strict justice and the same verse concludes, Vayomer Elav Ani Hashem. Again as we noted this
verb denotes a soft loving tone and concludes with the name Hashem or Havaya denoting the aspect of loving kindness. Hashem in essence is telling Moses, although you perceive Me coming to you and the people with harshness, judgment and
cruelty, in reality I am coming to you with kindness as Ani Hashem.   

The joy of Chodesh Shevat   

The secret of the month Shevat and the kavana for sanctifying it. 

 Understanding the waves of Shovevim  

Punishment for Substituting pledges even with something better.  

Changing minds. Yitro, Pharaoh and Moses. Why can’t we stick to our guns.  

Moshe’s grandson becomes a priest of avoda Zara. How can that be? 

Overcoming the snake's doubt. 

What’s our lesson?  

How can we fix things ?   

Based on the teachings or Rabbi Abittan and Rabbi Aderet as recorded January 2021

VaEra - HaKarat HaTov - SHort Story - A Silver lIning in Jerusalem 

How far is a Jew required to go to give Hakarat HaTov?  

We read last week, “A new king arose over Egypt who did not know of Joseph' . Our Sages ask: can it be that he did not know of Joseph?  

Rav Ovadia showed tremendous hakarat hatov and appreciation.  

You need to try to picture this ragtag group as the clock struck midnight, in front of an alley bar with the music playing. Black hats, baseball hats, army caps, crochet knit Nachman caps and plain old yalmakahs, all together.  

 Shemot - I want to be your neighbor! 

Who chased whom out of the Garden of Eden?  

Why not send baby Moses away or come up with some other way to hide him; why risk killing him by putting him into a basket by the water? 

Why did Yocheved choose this specific day to place Moses by the water; what was so special about that day which gave her confidence?  

Who did the daughter of Pharaoh see in the basket with Moses?  

How can one refuse a personal and direct request from Hashem? 

What’s was the basis of such a refusal by Moses at the burning bush and later by Yirmiyahu as we see in the Haftara? 

What does Pharaoh know that makes him wonder why Moses would want to take Benai Yisrael into the desert? 

What do we learn about appreciation and recognition of good in this perasha? 

How do we make sense of the sign which doesn’t seem like a sign that Hashem gives to Moses? 

Why would man need to pray for Hashem‘s salvation? 

Why didn’t the brothers return at the the time of Jacob’s funeral to stay in Canaan? Were they forced to keep their family and cattle in Egypt or was it a decision? And if they were forced why not gradually sneak out over the next 50 years that Joseph was in
power? 

What does it mean when we learn that someone living outside of Israel is like an idol worshiper?