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RABBI ARTHUR SEGAL ;EXODUS 6:02-9:35:PARASHA VA'EIRA:Redemption:Divinely Given or Personally Driven?
PARASHA VA'EIRA
EXODUS 6:02-9:35
EXODUS 6:02-9:35
RABBI ARTHUR SEGAL
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC
BLUFFTON, SC
''Redemption: Divinely Given or Personally Driven?''
In this week's Torah portion, in lines 6:06-6:08, God promises to redeem
us from Egypt in four ways. These four ways are remembered in the four cups
of wine that we drink at our Pesach (Passover) seders. Rabbi Bachya says that 'I shall
take you out' refers to God removing us from slavery while we were still in
Egypt. (The slavery ended in Tishrei but we were not allowed to leave Egypt
until Nissan six months later.)
''Redemption: Divinely Given or Personally Driven?''
In this week's Torah portion, in lines 6:06-6:08, God promises to redeem
us from Egypt in four ways. These four ways are remembered in the four cups
of wine that we drink at our Pesach (Passover) seders. Rabbi Bachya says that 'I shall
take you out' refers to God removing us from slavery while we were still in
Egypt. (The slavery ended in Tishrei but we were not allowed to leave Egypt
until Nissan six months later.)
The Rabbi says that 'I will rescue you' refers to
God taking us out of Egypt formally ending our bondage and sojourn in
Mitzraim. He further states that 'I shall redeem you' alludes to the splitting of
the sea of reeds when God crushed Egyptian power totally. Lastly, Rabbi
Bachya says that 'I shall take you' refers to the climax of the Exodus, the
giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai. God says He will gave us a Heritage (06:08),
which is more than a mere inheritance, but a sacred possession to be
continually passed to our children. In the Haamek D'var, this heritage is said to
mean the land of Israel and our eternal deed to it. Others posit that this
heritage is Torah. Most others say it means both.
We as modern Jews are quite aware of the Torah's rituals and cult of
priests and sacrifice. The Talmudic Rabbis in 586 B.C.E., in exile in Babylon, with no Temple, took upon themselves to reform and continually reevaluate, question and amend and form Judaism out of the ashes of Hebrewism. We have not abandoned our Heritage of Torah but tightly hold on to it's wonderful timeless principles.
Each day we have a duty to be the best that we can be and to develop
redeeming qualities. We are in charge of our own daily redemption and Spiritual Renewal. There
is a Midrash that says when we go to Olam Ha Ba, the world to come, we will
not be asked ''were you like Moses or David', but 'were you the best YOU'. We can
not use the excuse that we are in a society of moral decay or materialism and
hence find it hard to be a good modern Jew. Rabbi Hillel writes in the
Mishna Pirkei Avot, Chapter 2:06 "in a place where there are no leaders, strive
to be a leader." This was written during the Roman occupation of Judea circa 100 B.C. E..
If we wish to we can take ourselves out of the rat race we are in, slaves
to our schedules, credit card bills, big screen televisions, and computer
email.
If we wish to we can release and rescue ourselves from the subjugation of
abusive or hyper critical people and those of our acquaintances that vex
our spirit. We can choose to spend time with those that are supportive of our
lives and our interests and help us be the best we can be. We tend to
spend the most time on those that appreciate us the least. We have with in us
the power to rescue ourselves from these uncomfortable situations.
'`If we will it, we can redeem ourselves forever from those bad habits and
self destructive behaviors that keep us being the best our potential will
allow. We can make a concerted effort to stop our loshan ha ra
(gossiping, literally the evil tongue), and petty jealousies that not only do not belong in any
Temple but do not belong in our lives at all. We can attempt successfully to
substitute positive behaviors if we deem it our will.
Lastly, we can take ourselves to Torah , Talmud and other spiritual texts of our people, and read the great principles set
forth in it. We can try to emulate the characteristics of God, Who is
our Creator. We can be kinder, we can be more honest, we can be more patient,
we can be more understanding, we can be better friends, better spouses,
better parents, better Jews and better people. We can decide to make Jewish
study a regular part of our week, and eventually part of our day. We can decide
to attend a spiritually God based Temple more than we have had in the past. We can decide to light
Shabbat candles and reflect on our Holy heritage. We can decide to take
time out for rest and reflection.
Moses saw how our people could not understand him due to "their shortness
of breath and hard work" (06:09). So take time out for reflection and
Shabbat rest this year. Get to really know your family again, get in touch with
your best self again, and finally develop that spiritual oneness with your
personal God that will help you always.
Yasher Koach!!! (Go from strength to strength.)
Shabbat shalom!!
RABBI ARTHUR SEGAL
God taking us out of Egypt formally ending our bondage and sojourn in
Mitzraim. He further states that 'I shall redeem you' alludes to the splitting of
the sea of reeds when God crushed Egyptian power totally. Lastly, Rabbi
Bachya says that 'I shall take you' refers to the climax of the Exodus, the
giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai. God says He will gave us a Heritage (06:08),
which is more than a mere inheritance, but a sacred possession to be
continually passed to our children. In the Haamek D'var, this heritage is said to
mean the land of Israel and our eternal deed to it. Others posit that this
heritage is Torah. Most others say it means both.
We as modern Jews are quite aware of the Torah's rituals and cult of
priests and sacrifice. The Talmudic Rabbis in 586 B.C.E., in exile in Babylon, with no Temple, took upon themselves to reform and continually reevaluate, question and amend and form Judaism out of the ashes of Hebrewism. We have not abandoned our Heritage of Torah but tightly hold on to it's wonderful timeless principles.
Each day we have a duty to be the best that we can be and to develop
redeeming qualities. We are in charge of our own daily redemption and Spiritual Renewal. There
is a Midrash that says when we go to Olam Ha Ba, the world to come, we will
not be asked ''were you like Moses or David', but 'were you the best YOU'. We can
not use the excuse that we are in a society of moral decay or materialism and
hence find it hard to be a good modern Jew. Rabbi Hillel writes in the
Mishna Pirkei Avot, Chapter 2:06 "in a place where there are no leaders, strive
to be a leader." This was written during the Roman occupation of Judea circa 100 B.C. E..
If we wish to we can take ourselves out of the rat race we are in, slaves
to our schedules, credit card bills, big screen televisions, and computer
email.
If we wish to we can release and rescue ourselves from the subjugation of
abusive or hyper critical people and those of our acquaintances that vex
our spirit. We can choose to spend time with those that are supportive of our
lives and our interests and help us be the best we can be. We tend to
spend the most time on those that appreciate us the least. We have with in us
the power to rescue ourselves from these uncomfortable situations.
'`If we will it, we can redeem ourselves forever from those bad habits and
self destructive behaviors that keep us being the best our potential will
allow. We can make a concerted effort to stop our loshan ha ra
(gossiping, literally the evil tongue), and petty jealousies that not only do not belong in any
Temple but do not belong in our lives at all. We can attempt successfully to
substitute positive behaviors if we deem it our will.
Lastly, we can take ourselves to Torah , Talmud and other spiritual texts of our people, and read the great principles set
forth in it. We can try to emulate the characteristics of God, Who is
our Creator. We can be kinder, we can be more honest, we can be more patient,
we can be more understanding, we can be better friends, better spouses,
better parents, better Jews and better people. We can decide to make Jewish
study a regular part of our week, and eventually part of our day. We can decide
to attend a spiritually God based Temple more than we have had in the past. We can decide to light
Shabbat candles and reflect on our Holy heritage. We can decide to take
time out for rest and reflection.
Moses saw how our people could not understand him due to "their shortness
of breath and hard work" (06:09). So take time out for reflection and
Shabbat rest this year. Get to really know your family again, get in touch with
your best self again, and finally develop that spiritual oneness with your
personal God that will help you always.
Yasher Koach!!! (Go from strength to strength.)
Shabbat shalom!!
RABBI ARTHUR SEGAL
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC
BLUFFTON, SC
ORIGINAL VERSION WRITTEN WHEN SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE AT CONGREGATION TEMPLE MICKVE ISRAEL, SAVANNAH, GEORGIA
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