Parshas Shmos

This week we start Sefer Shmos.  The Meforshim explain that Sefer Beraishis is the book of the Avos, our patriarchs, as it discusses the events of their lives which are the foundation of our lives.  Ma’ase Avos Siman l’bonim – the actions of the forefathers is a harbinger for their children. With the onset of Sefer Shmos we begin the “siman l’bonim,” the fulfillment of the events that were alluded and hinted to throughout the lives of Avrohom, Yitzchock and Yaakov.  Sefer Shmos begins with listing the twelve shevatim, as they are the bonim, the sons, whose children make up the Jewish people.

One son’s place in this chain is thought provoking – Yosef.  Yosef is clearly one of the sons of Yaakov, nevertheless his children are two of the Shevatim! Yosef too, is a building block of the Jewish people. Yosef is the bridge that transitions us from the “foundation” years of our Avos into the infancy and formation of Klal Yisroel. Chazal teach us that the Jews’ ability to fight off temptation is a function of their genetic composition, an attribute inherited from Yosef HaTzaddik.

Sefer Shmos is also called Sefer HaGeulah, the book of redemption.  A logical thought would be – If Sefer Shmos is called the book of redemption, I would have thought that its epilogue would be the exodus from Egypt. However, the ending of Sefer Shmos deals with the building of the Mishkan and the priestly clothing! We must draw the conclusion that our redemption from Egypt was not considered complete until the Mishkan was built. Until the Jewish people could return to the hegemony and spiritual baseline of the forefathers, their salvation was still incomplete. Only when we walk in their footsteps, aspire and reach their spiritual level to the point where HaShem feels that he too can dwell in our midst, can we truly be called redeemed.

Every Jew needs to think about his illustrious past; every Jew needs to think about the attributes and characteristics that made the past generations so special; and every Jew needs to find a way to integrate those features into his daily life. He needs to aspire to lofty goals like his ancestors did to make his home a place where HaShem will feel comfortable. In this way our children and grandchildren, the future of our nation, will have a glimpse of their foundations. This will ensure that they continue their lives on the paths previously blazed for them by such special people, and merit to be redeemed with the coming of Moshiach.

Have a good Shabbos!

Enjoy the break!

Rabbi Katzenstein

Parshas Shmos

This week we start Sefer Shmos.  The Meforshim explain that Sefer Beraishis is the book of the Avos, our patriarchs, as it discusses the events of their lives which are the foundation of our lives.  Ma’ase Avos Siman l’bonim – the actions of the forefathers is a harbinger for their children. With the onset of Sefer Shmos we begin the “siman l’bonim,” the fulfillment of the events that were alluded and hinted to throughout the lives of Avrohom, Yitzchock and Yaakov.  Sefer Shmos begins with listing the twelve shevatim, as they are the bonim, the sons, whose children make up the Jewish people.

One son’s place in this chain is thought provoking – Yosef.  Yosef is clearly one of the sons of Yaakov, nevertheless his children are two of the Shevatim! Yosef too, is a building block of the Jewish people. Yosef is the bridge that transitions us from the “foundation” years of our Avos into the infancy and formation of Klal Yisroel. Chazal teach us that the Jews’ ability to fight off temptation is a function of their genetic composition, an attribute inherited from Yosef HaTzaddik.

Sefer Shmos is also called Sefer HaGeulah, the book of redemption.  A logical thought would be – If Sefer Shmos is called the book of redemption, I would have thought that its epilogue would be the exodus from Egypt. However, the ending of Sefer Shmos deals with the building of the Mishkan and the priestly clothing! We must draw the conclusion that our redemption from Egypt was not considered complete until the Mishkan was built. Until the Jewish people could return to the hegemony and spiritual baseline of the forefathers, their salvation was still incomplete. Only when we walk in their footsteps, aspire and reach their spiritual level to the point where HaShem feels that he too can dwell in our midst, can we truly be called redeemed.

Every Jew needs to think about his illustrious past; every Jew needs to think about the attributes and characteristics that made the past generations so special; and every Jew needs to find a way to integrate those features into his daily life. He needs to aspire to lofty goals like his ancestors did to make his home a place where HaShem will feel comfortable. In this way our children and grandchildren, the future of our nation, will have a glimpse of their foundations. This will ensure that they continue their lives on the paths previously blazed for them by such special people, and merit to be redeemed with the coming of Moshiach.

Have a good Shabbos!

Enjoy the break!

Rabbi Katzenstein