Rabbi Frand on Parshas Shemos
These divrei Torah were adapted from the hashkafa portion of Rabbi Yissocher
Frand's Commuter Chavrusah Tapes on the weekly portion: Tape # 312, The Do's
Don'ts of Naming Babies Laws.
Good Shabbos!
Grandfather At The Table
"And these are the names of the children of Israel who came to Egypt with
Yaakov, each man and his family came" [Shmos 1:1]. The Chofetz Chaim (1838-
1933) asks why the Jewish people took the spiritual risks of going en masse
to Egypt. Egypt was known as being an amoral society and an amoral land. One
would have thought that, given such a reputation, it was not the type of
place where one would want to raise a nice Jewish family.
There were many noteworthy Rabbis in Europe who, for this very reason, told
people that they should not emigrate from Europe to go to America. Going to
America circa 1920, circa 1930, was to go to a "treife medina" [a 'non-
Kosher' country]. Any person who went to America in that era was taking his
spiritual life into his own hands. Observing the Sabbath meant having no job
on Monday.
So, what was the rationale and justification for the Jewish nation's
descent to Egypt? The Chofetz Chaim says that the verse answers this
question with two words - "with Yaakov". Since they went down with the
presence of the Patriarch Jacob, they had an anchor and an antidote to
guarantee that nothing detrimental would happen to them spiritually. Yaakov
would be a shield in the face of the influences of Egypt.
The importance of the presence of Yaakov can be illustrated with the
following story: The Chofetz Chaim wanted to live out his final days in
Eretz Yisroel, and decided that he wanted to move to the Land of Israel
several years before he died (in 1933). However, Rav Chaim Ozer (1863-1940)
told him that he was not permitted to leave Europe. Rav Chaim Ozer asked,
"What will happen to all the Jews in Europe without you?" The Chofez Chaim
responded that he was already an old man who was no longer able to go
around and speak to people and have an impact. "I can no longer do any good
for anybody in Europe."
Rav Chaim Ozer answered with a parable from Rav Yisroel Salanter (1809-
1883). Rav Yisroel said: "when the grandfather sits at the head of the
table, everyone seated at the table acts and behaves differently." The
grandfather does not need to raise his voice or threaten "I'm going to send
you to your room." The mere presence of the grandfather at the head of the
table has an effect on everyone. Rav Chaim Ozer told the Chofetz Chaim, "we
need you in Europe -- not to speak, not to write, not to give classes, but
we need you to sit at the head of the table." As long as the grandfather is
seated at the head of the table, everyone is kept in line.
This is the import of the words "with Jacob". The Jews were only able to
contemplate going down to Egypt, despite its negative influences, because
their grandfather, Yaakov, accompanied them.
Moshe's Curiosity About The Burning Bush
Upon encountering the burning bush, Moshe said, "Let me please come close
(Asura Nah) to investigate this amazing sight - why is the bush not
consumed?" [Shmos 3:3]. There is an interesting Yalkut on this pasuk:
"Rabbi Yochanan said that Moshe took a total of three steps. Reish Lakish
said that Moshe did not need to walk any steps, he merely turned his head.
G-d responded, "'You troubled yourself to investigate, I will reveal Myself
to you' and He called out 'Moshe, Moshe.'" What is the message of this Medrash?
First of all, how was it that Moshe's 'effort' to investigate made him
worthy of Divine prophecy? Furthermore, our Sages say that Moshe was tested
for his future role as the leader of Israel with the sheep. G-d observed
both the way in which Moshe handled Yisro's flocks and later the way in
which King David handled Yishai's flocks to verify that they were worthy to
be the 'shepherds' of the Jewish nation. So clearly, Moshe did not become
worthy to be the future leader overnight or by taking a few steps. It took
years of training as a shepherd to qualify for the job.
Rav Simcha Zissel (1824-1898), who was the head of the Chevron Yeshiva,
offered the following explanation of this Medrash. The Medrash is teaching
us that Moshe merited receiving Divine prophecy because he had a life long
thirst for spiritual growth and for seeking out knowledge of G-d. He never
sat on his laurels. He never thought to himself "I've already seen enough."
The constant striving to always learn more and grow more and be more was
Moshe's essence.
After Moshe descended from Mt. Sinai, he had Karnei Or [beams of light] that
shone from his forehead. Our Sages say that these Karnei Or came from the
last drop of ink that remained on the quill, which Moshe smeared against his
forehead. This is clearly an allegorical teaching. G-d knows how to properly
measure the amount of ink necessary to write a Torah so that there need not
be any ink left over. The Medrash is teaching us that after Moshe Rabbeinu
transcribed the entire Torah, there was a little ink left -- representing a
little more to be gained, a little more to learn. Moshe insisted that the
ink remain with him and smeared it on his forehead. The drop of ink
represents the unceasing thirst to know more and to move closer to G-d.
Rav Simcha Zissel relates this teaching regarding the Karnei Or to the
Yalkut's teaching by the Burning Bush. Even if it is only three steps, even
if it is only a matter of turning the head, it represented Moshe Rabbeinu's
unending striving to grow and to become closer to G-d. To which G-d
responded, "Moshe, if that is your attitude, now I will reveal Myself to
you."
This is a lesson for all of us, whether we are 35 or 45 or 65 or 85. We
should not say "Learning is for a 15 year old or a 20 year old; perhaps at
25 there is still room for growth." By middle age, many people assume "I am
who I am, I've reached what I am going to reach. This is me. I cannot go
any higher!"
We must always seek out that last drop of ink that is left over. There is
always room to grow. G-d appreciates people who are not satisfied
spiritually. If there is a demonstration of desire for growth - even if it
is merely a few steps or a turning of the head - G-d rewards that
demonstrated desire for holiness.
This write-up was adapted from the hashkafa portion of Rabbi Yissocher
Frand's Commuter Chavrusah Torah Tape series on the weekly Torah portion.
The complete list of halachic topics covered in this series for Parshas
Shmos are provided below:
Also Available: Mesorah / Artscroll has published a collection of Rabbi Frand's essays. The book is entitled:
and is available through your local Hebrew book store or from Project Genesis, 1-410-654-1799.
