Divrei Torah Shemos
Torah Table of Contents
What's in A Name? Divrei Yisroel Tshuva, the Timeless Cure for Lockjaw, Divrei Yisroel A Dvar torah from Reb Motti Rosen z"l.
Based on the Divrei Yisroel, Parshas Sh'mos
"V'Aileh Sh'mos Bnei Yisrael HaBaim Mitzrayma..." "And these were the Names of the Sons of Israel that came to Egypt..." (Sh'mos 1:1)
The Divrei Yisroel builds upon one of the famous questions that is asked by Rashi, and indeed most of the classical commentaries. The use of the word "V'Aileh" - "And these", implies a continuation from some earlier group or process. This then, would seem to refer to the Sh'mos - the names. If so, then what are the names that were previously referred to, that we are not continuing with? Indeed, what "Names" came down to Egypt? The Jewish people came down, but what names?
The answer provides an insight into the purpose of the Egyptian Exile, as well as all that has been covered in the Torah up until this point.
It is discussed in many classic Torah works that the primary purpose of the Egyptian Exile was to prepare us in some manner for Receiving the Torah, to build up our "Credit", by helping us to earn the right and privilege to finally reach Mt. Sinai. The Torah is also referred to as "the Name of Hashem", as well as the oft-mentioned idea that the entire Torah is in fact composed of a multitude of various Names of Hashem in different formats.
This starts to shed light on our question. Our pasuk, "V'Aileh Sh'mos ... ", "And these were the Names..." - for the Names in fact refer to the Torah itself. They went down to Egypt because of the Torah, as preparation to receive It.
What then is the continuation that we referred to earlier? The Divrei Yisroel reminds us of one of the first Medrashim at the beginning of Parshas Breishis: B'reishis means for the sake of "Reishis" - the First. And the Torah is referred to as Reishis - the First. The Torah, which is in numerous ways the "Name" of Hashem, and full of His Names, is the reason the World was created. In continuation of that process, to bring that Creation towards its ultimate goal, it was vital for the Jewish people to receive the Torah. To do so, we had to go down to Egypt, which prepared us for the process.
Its all in the Name, and for the sake of the Name (HaSHem).
Translated by Reb Eliezer Weger of Rechovot, a Modzitzer Chasid
Based on the Divrei Yisroel, Parshas Shmos
"Lo Ish Dvarim Anochi, Ki Kvad Peh U'Kvad Lashon Anochi. VaYomer Hashem Eilav, Mi Sam Peh LaAdam?"... I'm not a Man of Words, for I have speech problems and am tongue-tied. And Hashem Answered him, "Who gave Man a mouth" [to begin with]?...(Shmos 4:10-11)
The Divrei Yisroel finds in this exchange between Moshe Rabbeinu and Hashem a bit of guidance and inspiration for each and every one of us in our daily affairs. Most of us suffer from an occasional lapse in the quality of our Davening (Prayers). At times, as we start out to daven, we are overcome with a sense of tiredness, laziness, a lack of drive to go about it properly; and we can barely "open our mouths in prayer".
The simplest solution is to focus on doing tshuva (repenting), which in and of its own right, inspires us with a freshness of spirit. Tshuva is the solution hinted at in our pasuk - it is often discussed in chassidishe seforim that the word "Mi" relates to tshuva, (as in the statement, "Mi metaher eschem" - who purifies you, which could also be read 'the word Mi purifies you' - purification here referring to tshuva).
So, if we find ourselves as "kvad peh and kvad lashon", and we can hardly open our mouths in prayer, then focus on what Hashem said to Moshe - Mi Sam Peh L'Adam - let "Mi" - tshuva give you [back] your mouth.
Translated by Reb Eliezer Weger of Rechovot, a Modzitzer Chasid.
What does Hashem Elokecha ask from you, but to fear Hashem Elokecha and to walk in His ways? (Dvorim, 10:13)
A Dvar torah from Reb Motti Rosen z"l, grandson of Harav Shaul the Second Rebbe
Shivim Nefesh" (Perek 1:5).
At the beginning of Parshas Shemos, Paraoh gathers his nation and tells them they must begin to prepare themselves to deal with Klal Yisrael. He tells them that Yisrael has grown larger and that they must be ready, "Pen Yirbeh," lest they multiply. Rashi Hakadosh tells us that Hakadosh Baruch Hu answered Paraoh, "Ken Yirbeh," they will multiply.
There is another way of understanding the use of these words. Paraoh said "Pen Yirbeh." The gematria of the name Yitzchak - Yud, Tzaddik, Ches, Kof -- is 208 or 8 times 26, the gematria of the name of Hashem - Yud, Kay, Vov, Kay. The name Yaakov - Yud, Ayin, Kof, Bais.. is 182 or 7 times 26. The gematria of the name Yosef - Yud, Samach, Vov, Pay -- is 156 or 6 times 26. When Paraoh said "Pen," whose gematria is 130, he was talking about a leader whose name would be 5 times 26. Hashem answered him, not "Pen" but "Ken," whose gematria is 70. At the beginning of the Parsha the Pasuk reminds us that "Shivim Nefesh," 70 soul came down to Egypt. Why does it say "Nefesh" in the singular and "Nefashot" in the plural? Going down to Egypt, they may have been 70 separate people, but it was as if they had one soul. It was this Achdus that would make them worthy of being redeemed. Paraoh searched for one specific person, a leader who would be worthy. Hashem answered him that it was not their leader that would make them worthy, but rather their Achdus, which would lead them out of Galus.
Submitted by Chumi Friedman, daughter of Reb Motti Rosen z"l
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