"I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as Kel Shakkai, but my Name Hashem I did not make known to them." The name of G-d, Kel Shakkai, denotes that the A-mighty is the Creator, that He created everything that exists. This was already known and absolutely clear. Now, as the Jews were about to become a nation, it became time to reveal to the world, with total clarity, the name Hashem. This name denotes that not only is the initial existence of the universe dependent upon G-d, but also the ongoing existence. Without the A-mighty constantly sustaining the world nothing could continue to exist for a single moment.

This truth was exhibited through the miracles of the ten plagues and the splitting of the Sea. A miracle is a sign that the A-mighty maintains the creation. Nature is the normal way in which He runs the world, but whenever it is necessary He suspends the rules of nature. The Forefathers knew this conceptually but now was the time for the world to perceive this truth through the senses.

"So Moshe spoke accordingly to the Jewish People; but they did not heed Moshe, because of shortness of breath and hard labor." The Seforno continues to explain that the A-mighty instructed Moshe to convey these truths to the people in order that they should put their faith and trust in Him, and thereby merit to enter the Land. (Unfortunately they didn't consider Moshe's words, and only their children merited to see the Land.)

When we contemplate the lesson of the Exodus we understand that the A-mighty is in constant, total control of events. Since His desire is for our benefit, it becomes an easy matter to put our trust and faith in Him.

The Diaspora Yeshiva-Toras Yisroel
P.O.B. 6426
Mount Zion, Jerusalem, Israel
E-mail: diaspora@netvision.net.il
Voice-mail: 02-6716841, Fax: 02-6717-116

"Ki Mi'Tzion Tetze Torah..."