SHEMOS 1993-2
In
the Torah portion Shmos we learn how Moshe Rabbeinu was placed in a
small basket when he was three months old and placed by his mother in
the Nile. We learn that the daughter of Pharaoh went down to the
Nile and she saw the ark in the midst of the reeds. According to
the text, it says that she sent Amahsah. This phrase is usually
explained "and she sent her maid and she took it", but Amahsah can also
mean "she sent her hand", as Rashi points out. The rabbis say
that her hand miraculously elongated so she could fetch the
basket. The Chofetz Chaim asked, how did she know when she
stretched out her hand that her hand would elongate so that the would
be able to reach the small ark? The Chofetz Chaim answers, she
did not know but being a compassionate, caring person she had to reach
out her hand anyway. The same goes for each of us. When we
are confronted with a problem especially of human suffering and caring
we do not know if our hand will reach, but we have to try anyway.
If we will make the first effort and try to alleviate human suffering
and misery G-d will help us and make sure that we can finish the job,
that we can retrieve the ark and bring it on shore.
If we
look at the Chumash we will notice that each book of the Chumash Rashi,
in his opening comment, speaks about the love that G-d has for the
Jewish people in all different circumstances. In Bereishis Rashi
speaks about G-d' s love for the Jewish people when he comments that
G-d told us about the history of the world so no one should accuse the
Jewish people of stealing the land of Israel. In the Torah
portion Shmos we learn how G-d recounts the names of all those who went
down to Egypt to teach us that the Jewish people, even though in
certain ways they brought the slavery upon themselves, are still
beloved by G-d. In the Book of Leviticus Rashi says the word
Vayikra is used to show that even when the Jewish people are called
upon to sacrifice for their faith G-d uses a soft expression. In
the Torah portion Bamidbar G-d again numbers the tribes to teach us
that even when we were wandering in the desert because of our sins G-d
still cares for us. In the Book of Deuteronomy when Moshe
Rabbeinu criticizes the Jewish people he criticizes them indirectly for
their sins, again to show His love for them. So, too, we all love
and help each … [NOTE: THE REST OF THE TEXT IN THE DOCUMENT WAS CUT
OFF].