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

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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

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The Weekly Shtikle - Vayigash

Yesterday, 5 Teves, was the 48^th yahrtzeit of my wife's grandfather, Rabbi Dr. Israel Frankel, a"h. This week's shtikle is dedicated le'iluy nishmaso, Yisroel Aryeh ben Asher Yeshayahu.

 

As the showdown between Yoseif and Yehudah escalates at the beginning of the parsha, Yoseif finally realizes that he could no longer go on deceiving his brothers and hiding his identity. He reveals to them that he is in fact Yoseif. However, he is able to keep up this chicanery for quite some time despite numerous hints. Rashi (42:8) writes that it was Yoseif's newly grown beard that prevented his brothers from discerning that it was him.

 

However, David Farkas, author of Ha-Doresh Vi-Hamivakesh, suggests another approach. Indeed, one looks different with a beard than without. But after all of the dealings the brothers had with him, could not one of them figure out that this Egyptian viceroy looks an awful lot like their brother? Rather, the Egyptian Pharaohs were known to have worn masks. While Yoseif was only the Prime Minister to the monarch, it is possible that he wore a mask as well. In such a case, only his voice would serve as any hint to his identity. It is thus much easier to understand that the brothers were unable identify him. [Note that the pasuk recounts Yoseif's recognition of his brothers immediately upon their arrival. However, we are not told that they didn't recognize him until after he speaks. This seems to suggest that until Yoseif spoke, the brothers had nothing with which they could possibly have identified him.]

 

While this suggestion might seem slightly outlandish at first, it seems Ramban in this week's parsha concurs. He writes (46:29) that Yaakov did not recognize Yoseif right away because his face was covered with some sort of head covering as per the custom of Egyptian royalty. And so too, Ramban adds, his brothers did not recognize him. Ramban clearly asserts that it was more than just a beard that concealed Yoseif's identity.

 

As mentioned above, Yoseif did drop numerous hints to his brothers and while they were baffled on occasion, they failed to come to the realization that it was Yoseif. If Yoseif was trying to conceal his identity, why did he in fact drop all those hints? And why did the brothers not pick up on them?

 

I heard the following approach in the name of R' Nosson Meir Wachtfogel, zt"l, mashgiach of Lakewood Yeshivah. He explains that when the brothers first encountered Yoseif in Egypt, the pasuk recounts (42:9) that Yoseif remembered his dreams and proceeded to charge his brothers with espionage. It's not that Yoseif necessarily used his dreams as a rationale for badgering his brothers. Rather, Yoseif developed a scheme by which he would allow his brothers to come to their own realization that he was the viceroy of Egypt. If they could discover this by themselves, it would be an acceptance of the integrity of Yoseif's dreams. An outsider might have easily identified Yoseif. The brothers, however, had an inner struggle to contend with. Yoseif kept on hinting to them. The facts were there in front of them. But inside, they could not bring themselves to accept it. Finally, it reached a point where Yoseif could no longer play his game. He tried to no avail. He had to spell it out for his brothers on his own.

 

Have a good Shabbos.

 

Eliezer Bulka
WeeklyShtikle@weeklyshtikle.com

Shtikle Blog Weekly Roundup:

Al Pi Cheshbon / Dikdukian: Can you count to 70?

Dikdukian: Pain in the Neck

Dikdukian: Just Do It!

Dikdukian: Shepherd(s)

Dikdukian: Ram'seis

Dikdukian: Dikdukei Vayigash by R' Eliyahu Levin

 

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The Weekly Shtikle - Mikeitz

For the most part, the stories in the Torah follow a linear timeline. That is, one story follows another and another, etc. Even when we invoke the maxim of ein mukdam um'uchar baTorah, that it is possible for anecdotes to be temporally out of place, that is only to say that the entire story belongs in a different spot. But if we step back to last week's parsha, we observe something somewhat unique. After the sale of Yoseif, we learn the full story of Yehudah and his sons and his subsequent encounter with Tamar, resulting in the birth of twin boys. The Torah then resumes with Yoseif's storyline as it continues into this week's parsha. But Yehudah's story arc certainly took some time to develop. His own trials and tribulations were developing at the same time as Yoseif's.

Understandably, it would have been impractical for the Torah to follow the events in a strictly chronological order so we are told of the complete story of Yehudah and Tamar first. The exact time the whole story to transpire is not laid out in the pesukim. According to some assessments, it actually took exactly 22 years – the same duration of time as Yoseif's story until Yaakov finally comes down to Mitzrayim in next week's parsha. This may seem like nothing more than a trivial – although interesting – fact. However, it might help us understand an issue that we have dealt with previously. Why did Yaakov reject Reuvain's offer to be responsible for Binyamin while Yehudah's pledge was accepted? Perhaps we can now understand that Yaakov was aware of the challenges Yehudah had just recently faced and perhaps was still embroiled with. He knew that Yehudah understood the loss of a child as he had lost two of his own. Yehudah's offer therefore appeared much more altruistic and Yaakov chose to put his trust in him.

Have a Chaunkah Samei'ach, a good Shabbos and chodesh tov!

 

Eliezer Bulka
WeeklyShtikle@weeklyshtikle.com

 

Shtikle Blog Weekly Roundup:
Dikdukian: Clear the Halls (Chanukah)

Dikdukian: Na'asah Nes

Dikdukian: Who's agitating my dots?

Dikdukian: Be Strong

Dikdukian: Just Do It!

Dikdukian: You Make the Call: Ukra'ahu

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The Weekly Shtikle - Vayeishev

There is much intrigue surrounding the story of the brothers' treatment of Yoseif and the crime that was ultimately perpetrated. Even establishing the exact facts of the incident can be challenging, let alone understanding the motives and thought processes behind each character's actions. The first step of the sale of Yoseif is his sale to the Yishmaelim. Yehudah suggests (37:27) "let us sell him to the Yishmaelim… for he is our brother, our flesh." A thought occurred to me – is it possible that Yehudah could have been referring not to Yoseif but to Yishmael?

Sure enough, Kli Yekar, makes that very suggestion. He goes to great lengths to explain the brothers' plans and change of plans and posits that they specifically sold him to the Yishmaelim with the expectation that as "cousins," they would show mercy towards Yoseif and not mistreat him.

Have a good Shabbos and Chanukah Samei'ach!

Eliezer Bulka
WeeklyShtikle@weeklyshtikle.com

Shtikle Blog Weekly Roundup:

Dikdukian: Clear the Halls (Chanukah)

Dikdukian: Naaseh Neis (Chanukah)

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The Weekly Shtikle - Vayishlach

When Yaakov learns that Eisav is coming to meet him with 400 men, he expresses great fear as stated (32:8) "vayira Yaakov me'od vayeitzer lo." There are various suggestions given as to the exact definition of the word vayeitzer. The predominant interpretation seems to be that it is from the same root as tzar, implying that Yaakov was stressed.

I suggest that perhaps this word is from the root of the word yeitzer which comes from the same root as tzurah, a form. While the body is the physical form of the human being, the yeitzer - both the yeitzer tov and the yeitzer hara - comprises spiritual form of the human being. Yaakov's yeitzer, his spiritual form, was one that directly opposed murder and violence, unlike his brother Eisav. Rashi writes that while vayira was indicative a fear that he himself may be killed, the connotation of vayeizter is that Yaakov was worried that he might be put in a position where he would have to kill others. In other words, Yaakov was troubled that he would be forced to act in a way that is antithetical to his yeitzer. Thus, vayeitzer can be interpreted to mean that his yeitzer was being bothered.

Have a good Shabbos.

 

Eliezer Bulka
WeeklyShtikle@weeklyshtikle.com

 

Shtikle Blog Weekly Roundup:

Dikdukian: The Great Dishon Confusion

Dikdukian: Appearances

Dikdukian: Efrasah, What is your Real Name?

Al Pi Cheshbon: Goats and Amicable Numbers by Dr. Ari Brodsky

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The Weekly Shtikle - Vayeitzei

A number of years ago, an interesting story surfaced in one of the Jewish news outlets. A gas attendant at a station on the Palisades Parkway came up with a clever scam. When filling up for an Orthodox Jew, he would mention that on Passover, "one of your guys" filled up on gas but forgot his wallet and he paid for it instead. Many individuals ended up giving this man money in order to make a kiddush Hashem. But this is the 21^st century and thanks to social media, these stories began to spread and the attendant was exposed as a con artist. He targeted Orthodox Jews, however, because he knew he could rely on their honesty and integrity and feeling of responsibility.

To some degree, it is a similar tactic employed by our enemies around and within Israel who seem to constantly seek the signing of treaties and accords with Israel. The value of these deals, of course, is that the Jews can always be relied on to naïvely keep their word while their supposed counterparts in peace barely heed their side of the bargain. (This shtikle was originally published well before the groundbreaking Abraham Accords. We can only hope and pray that those treaties do not follow a similar pattern.)

This is by no means an original ruse. In fact, the last couple of parshiyos expose this as one the oldest tricks in The Book, literally.  First, Avraham is approached by Avimelech (21:22). It appears Avraham's success has led Avimelech to the realization that this is someone he better make sure to keep on his side. So, he engages him in a pact not just for the present but for generations to come. Then, as Yitzchak grows ever powerful, Avimelech approaches him as well (26:26) to secure a mutual deal. History would go on to show that while the progeny of Avraham and Yitzchak carefully kept their side of the deal to the best of their abilities, the Philistine descendants of Avimelech most certainly did not.

Finally, in the end of our parsha we find Lavan pulling a very similar stunt. After realizing he could never overcome Yaakov as a foe, Lavan demands a covenant with Yaakov, ensuring that Yaakov would not act against him. But many generations later, Bil'am had no qualms about dishonoring this agreement in attempting to destroy Yaakov's offspring. (See commentaries to Bemidbar 22:25 who note that the donkey was running Bil'am into the very monument that is mentioned in our parsha in order to remind him of this covenant.)

And so it has been and so it will likely always be. But I am not at all suggesting that this is something that should change. In fact, in a Rosh HaShanah shtikle, I suggest that it is in the merit of our steadfast trustworthiness in honouring our agreements with others – whether they keep their side or not – that HaShem honours the covenant made with our forefathers, even if we are guilty of violating our pledge to keep the Torah in its entirety. It is simply a virtue that makes up the fabric of our nation.

Have a good Shabbos.

 

Eliezer Bulka
WeeklyShtikle@weeklyshtikle.com

Shtikle Blog Weekly Roundup:

Dikdukian: Wordsthatsticktogether

Dikdukian: From his Sleep

Dikdukian: Complete it

Dikdukian: Qualification of the AHOY rule

Dikdukian: Different Types of Kissing

Dikdukian: Come on, People - Part II

AstroTorah: Did Yaakov Leave the Solar System by R' Ari Storch

AstroTorah: Yaakov's Lesson on Zemanei HaYom by R' Ari Storch

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