The Weekly Shtikle - Va'eira

In this week's parsha, the story is briefly paused for a condensed review of the generations leading from the sons of Yaakov to the main players in the story. The pesukim review the children of Reuven and Shimon and then the progeny of Levi in order to reach Aharon and Moshe. One of the subtle differences between the review of Reuven and Shimon and that of Levi is that the former are introduced with (6:14) "The sons of…" Levi, however, is introduced with (6:16) "These are the names of the sons…"

I recently heard a shiur from Rabbi Frand in which he quotes the Shelah (Shenei Luchos HaBeris) who addresses this nuance. He writes that Levi saw with ruach hakodesh that the nation would be enslaved by Egypt but his descendants would not be subjected to the harsh subjugation like the rest of the people. He wanted to ensure that his offspring did not lack the sensitivity to commiserate with the rest of the nation. He therefore gave them names that would serve as a constant reminder of their predicament. Gershon is named for the fact that they were strangers in the land. Kehas is derived from the word indicating that their teeth were blunted and Merari's name was reminiscent of the bitter conditions.

Rabbi Frand goes on to explain that Levi's mission was surely accomplished. When he is tending the flock of Yisro, he is captivated by the burning bush and comes closer to observe. Traditionally, based on the midrash, the bush symbolized the Jewish people. As much as they were mistreated and persecuted, they are still never consumed. This is what caught Moshe's attention. It is unclear at what age Moshe left Egypt but by all accounts, this was over 60 years after he had fled. Still, after all these years, his people were top of mind.

Have a good Shabbos.

Eliezer Bulka
WeeklyShtikle@weeklyshtikle.com

 

Shtikle Blog Weekly Roundup:

Dikdukian: Plurals and Singulars

Dikdukian: Netziv and the Missing Yud

Dikdukian: The Strange thing about Frogs

Dikdukian: Dikdukei Va'eira by Eliyahu Levin

Dikdukian: Leshon Yachid veRabbim by Eliayhu Levin

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The Weekly Shtikle - Shemos

Long before the invention of computers, there was a different kind of "artificial intelligence" that certain sectors of the public relied on – astrology. It is clear that there was some validity to the art. But just like modern artificial intelligence, there were some obvious flaws.

At the beginning of this week's parsha, Paroah decrees (1:22) the entire nation to throw their newborn boys in the Nile. Rashi, elaborating on the gemara (Sotah 12a), explains the Egyptian astrologers became aware that the eventual saviour of the Hebrews was born on that day but they were unclear as to whether he was from the Egyptians or the Israelites. The (unsuccessful) decree was meant to cover all the bases. So, what went wrong with the stars?

Kli Yekar exposes the flaw that left the Egyptians astrologers befuddled. Moshe was indeed born from a Jewish mother. However, he was adopted by Bisyah, Paroah's daughter, to the extent that the pasuk recounts (2:10) "and he was a son for her." The gemara (Megillah 13a) teaches from here (with an accompanying pasuk in Divrei Hayamim 4:18) that one who raises an orphan in their own home is considered as if they had given birth to him. This is not an empty platitude. Even the Divine forces that govern the signs that are delivered by the stars consider this as fact. This is why the Egyptians could not be sure.

This idea helped me decipher an issue I had a couple of weeks back. The midrash (couldn't track it down at this time) explains that Potifar's wife chose to pursue Yoseif because she saw through astrology that they would share a common progeny. Her mistake was that this was to come about through Yoseif's marriage to Osnas, her daughter. But we are also taught that Osnas was actually adopted by Potifar and his wife but in truth, she was the daughter of Dinah. So how did Potifar's wife see in the stars that she would share offspring with Yoseif? But now we may understand that the signs provided by the stars were not based solely on absolute biological parenthood. Adopting Osnas made her truly part of the family, as far as astrology was concerned.

Have a good Shabbos.

 

Eliezer Bulka
WeeklyShtikle@weeklyshtikle.com

Shtikle Blog Weekly Roundup:
Dikdukian: Nothing to See but Fear Itself

Dikduian: Bas Paroah
Dikduian: From the Children of the Hebrews
Dikduian: The Strange Thing about Straw
Dikduian: Affliction
Dikduian: Raamseis

Dikduian: Dikduk Observations on Shemos by Eliyahu Levin

Please visit the new portal for all Shtikle-related sites, www.weeklyshtikle.com

The Weekly Shtikle and related content are now featured on BaltimoreJewishLife.com

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The Weekly Shtikle - Vaychi

Yesterday, 12 Teves, was the 18^th yahrtzeit of Rabbi Joseph Schechter of Ner Yisroel. This week's shtikle is dedicated le'iluy nishmaso, Yoseif ben Eliezer Z'ev.

Before Yaakov blesses all his children together, Yoseif brings his sons to Yaakov to be blessed. "And he blessed them on that day saying, by you Israel shall bless saying, may HaShem make you like Efrayim and Menasheh." Rashi validates Yaakov's prophecy by explaining that the blessing was that for generations to come Jews would bless their children to be like Efrayim and Menasheh. Indeed, it is the practice of most Jews to bestow this blessing upon their sons every Shabbos night. Yaakov was blessing his grandchildren that they should merit to be the paradigmatic children like whom all parents hope and pray their children will become. 

Although the pasuk begins vayevarecheim, and he blessed them, the actual blessing itself begins becha, by you, in the singular. The word bachem would have been expected in that situation.

When we bless our children to be like Efrayim and Menasheh, it is certainly a tribute to them and their righteousness, having been brought up in a foreign land, surrounded by negative influences and nevertheless emerging as the great men they were. However, the word becha would seem to be referring to Yoseif. It is a tribute to Yoseif and the diligence and dedication with which he brought up his precious children in the most loathsome of societies that we pray that our sons be like his. Therefore, this blessing of Yaakov was very much directed to Yoseif as well.

Chazak, chazak, venischazeik!

 

Have a good Shabbos.

 

Eliezer Bulka
WeeklyShtikle@weeklyshtikle.com

Shtikle Blog Weekly Roundup:
Dikdukian: You Make the Call: Aveil Mitzrayim

Dikdukian: Efrasah, What is your Real Name

Please visit the new portal for all Shtikle-related sites, www.weeklyshtikle.com

The Weekly Shtikle and related content are now featured on BaltimoreJewishLife.com

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