Mussar Drosha:Beshalach:
Baruch
Hashem, we have the privilege to continue along with the B’nei Yisroel out of
Mitzraim - now heading into Krias Yam Suf/The Splitting of The Sea.
So, we
read in the first passuk/verse that Hashem did not lead us by way of the land
of the Plishtim because it was close - because He said (if He said it - that
means He knew it) ‘lest the people reconsider when they see a war; and they
return to Mitzraim.’
So, if
you look in Rabbeinu Bachya zt”l, he writes (translated from the
Hebrew): “And Rabbeinu Chananel z”l writes that He led them the way
of the Wilderness for another reason; and it is to multiply His Signs and
Wonders, because if He had led them the way of the land of the Plishtim - the
close one - and HaKadosh Baruch Hu had put in their heart that He would give
them permission to cross over the way of their land, and He did not delay them
altogether, it would have been a “light” Sign. (It would have been a
“less dangerous” way, in some ways). And therefore, it obligated (required)
the Wisdom to go in a circuitous manner by way of the Wilderness to make the
great and many Signs - with the Descending of the Mon, and the Going up of the
Quail, and the Going out of Water from the Rock, because, according to that
they were far from returning (to Mitzraim), that they should stand up to
the people of those places.”
If you
skip a bit, he writes further: “And know, that all the topics of Yisroel
(the Jews) and their happenings in the Wilderness - they were a complete
test in order to make their Souls greater - the intellect of the levels of
Bitachon/trust in Hashem, which is the root of Emunah/faith in Hashem, in order
that they would be fit to receive the Torah. And for this reason, He
split the sea for them so that they should cross into its midst - and not at
one time. Also, after they went out from the Sea of Reeds to the
Wilderness of Shur and they came to Marah, and the waters were sweet - and they
returned and became bitter. And, through the tree they returned to being
sweet. And all this was a complete test - and like the topic that is
written ‘and He tested them’. Also, with the descending of the Mon
was a matter of a day in it’s day - and not for many days - it was all a
complete test, (the Mon fell as much as needed each and every day - not
just a lot at big intervals), like the topic that it is written ‘And they
will gather it a day in itself in order to test them’. Also, after
they were in Rephidim and they loosened their grip from the Torah which they
received in Marah, (Rashi HaKadosh from Mechilta and Gemara
Sanhedrin 56b explains that we were given three rules to learn and keep in
Marah), and as a punishment for this, Amalek (YM”S) came and waged
war on them, because for the sin of wasting time instead of learning Torah, the
troubles come to the world (Mechilta; Gemara Bechoros).
All these topics were a complete test, in order to root in their Souls
the trait of Bitachon/trust in Hashem…… for the trait of Bitachon/trust in
Hashem is a great main thing (ikkar) and Foundation of the Torah the
Mitzvah.”
At first,
this does not seem very connected to our verse: But look again: The
Jews would have turned back at that time if they saw a war - that, in a way,
was a lack of faith in Hashem. With the proper trust in Him - they
wouldn’t have been afraid! Hashem will protect!
Hashem
saw this in us - and He understood that He needed to lead us through the
Wilderness in order to root Bitachon/trust in Hashem in our hearts.
So, this
is actually a very big lesson for us: In our own lives, we face “wars” -
whether with the Yetzer Hara, a tough situation (both Rachmana Litzlan/may the
Merciful One save us), etc. But we must understand that Hashem is with
us, “fighting” so to speak, alongside us.
But,
being humans, there will be scary moments - there are dangerous things out
there (Rachmana Litzlan). But HaRav Yosef Leib Bloch zt”l writes (Shiurei
Daas) that the dangers and forces of the world are like a dog on a leash.
If, (Rachmana Litzlan and Chas V’Shalom) the animal tries to hurt you -
what do you do? Call out to the master! He can pull the leash and
“make sure” that the dog does not get you. But if, Chas V’Shalom, the
person does not recognize the presence of the owner - they are in big trouble!
Similarly, he says, if a person, Chas V’Shalom, does not recognize the
Presence of Hashem - the Master of all - they they are in danger.
But in
that case - if we do recognize Him and His Presence, with His Help, then obviously,
we are extremely safe!
So, we
must realize and “meditate” on the fact that Hashem is the One and Only G-d,
and that He controls everything. And, if we can understand this and take
it to heart, with His Help, we will have no reason to fear things (aside from
Him, of course)! We always have watching over us the One Who controls
all. Think about that!
And, as I
usually like to do, I would like to, with Hashem’s Help, share with you a story
on this topic:
“Please
Rebbe, you must help me” wept the stricken Jew before Rebbe Mordechai of
Neschiz zt”l: The Rebbe asked him what the trouble was and the man
replied that he was critically ill. He had consulted many doctors, but
none of them held out any hope for him. “Only you can help me, Rebbe, now that
all hope is gone!” he said. “Hmmm. And have you been to the specialist
from Anipoli yet?” the Rebbe asked.
The ill
man wrinkled his forehead in surprise and replied that he had not heard of him
and not seen him yet. “Well then, you should go to him at once.” the Rebbe
advised.
Hope
rekindled in his heart, the dying man packed a few belongings and went to
Anipoli. The journey was not comfortable in the least, but finally, he
reached Anipoli. The man jumped out of the coach - already feeling
better.
He
stopped the first person walking by and asked him where the specialist lived.
The man looked at him in bewilderment and replied “Specialist?
Here, in Anipoli? There is no specialist living here! You
must be mistaken.”
The dying
man told the passerby that there was no mistake - a great man sent him there to
consult the specialist about his illness.
He turned
away from the passerby, found another local resident and asked him about the
specialist. The man looked at him as if he were crazy and told him that
they didn’t even have their own doctor!
The dying
man now realized he must have made a mistake; but still, the Rebbe had sent him
here. There must be some explanation.
“Well
then, what do you do here when someone becomes ill?” he asked falteringly. “Now
that is a different question altogether,” the man said. “If someone falls ill,
we pray to Hashem to cure him. It is as simple as that!”
Crestfallen,
the Jew saw that he had nothing else to seek in Anipoli and took the first
coach back to Neschiz. He returned to Reb Mordechai zt”l and poured out
his painful story to him - telling him that there was no specialist in Anipoli
- they didn’t even have a general practitioner, and that his trip was all in
vain.
The Rebbe
raised his eyes questioningly. “And what do people do when someone becomes ill?
Did you find out?” “Yes” the unhappy Jew replied weakly “Since they have
no doctor, they pray to Hashem to cure them.”
“Aha!”
said the Rebbe triumphantly, “That is the answer. That is the Specialist
I wanted you to consult. Hashem! He is the Ultimate Healer.
He is the One to Whom you must turn in your suffering and pain for only
He can help you! As it says in the Torah (in this parsha) ‘For I am
Hashem your Healer.’ (From Tales of Tzaddikim; Shemos, p. 94-96).
We must
realize all the Miracles that Hashem does for us in our own lives - as He leads
us through the “Wilderness” of the modern world. And this will help us to
trust in Him, as HaRav Moshe Tuvia Lieff shlita says (in one of his shiurim on TorahAnytime.com).
Then, as
He continues to lead us, if we, Rachmana Litzlan, encounter any kind of tough
situation or anything like that, we will not turn back and ‘return to
Mitzraim’ (see the Nikolsburger Rebbe shlita on the first verse of
this parsha). We will continue to try to move forward with Hashem’s aid
through our entire lives in this world.
May
Hashem help everyone to always get through the hardships of life, Amein
vi’Amein.
I wish every single person a wonderful week! Kol Tuv!
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