PARSHA PEARLS

From
Meir Tzvi Berman

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Parshas Shemos

Exodus 2:11
Va’yar B’sivlosum
And he (Moshe - Moses) saw them in their hard labor. When the Jewish people were in Egypt, there were many people who practiced idolatry. Although this was a very grave sin, Moshe did not let this distract him from having compassion for his people. Instead, Moshe concentrated completely on their suffering and he felt for their great pain.

· Rabbi Aharon Rokeach M’Belz

Exodus 6:11
Attah Tir’eh Asher E’eseh L’paroh…
Now you (Moshe) will see what I (G-d) shall do to Pharaoh.

Moshe demanded that Pharaoh release the Jewish people. Pharaoh responded with the following: "Who is Hashem (G-d) that I should accept his words (commands)? I have not known Hashem and I will not send out the Children of Israel." (Exodus 5:2)

Moshe questioned G-d over the subsequent turn of events.

G-d responded with the above verse, "Now you will see what I shall do to Pharaoh."

How do we understand the response?

The redemption was originally to be based on the merit of the Jewish people. This had an inherent disadvantage in case they lack sufficient merit. Pharaoh’s response was offensive and it presented a challenge to G-d. This changed the subsequent events from being merely a redemption to being a demonstration of G-d’s existence and management. Deserving or not, the Jewish people were now going to be redeemed.

· Shem M’Shmuel


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