This Shabbos we discussed parsha Shemot, including commentary from Rav Yeager. We discussed some halakhah related to providing meals for others, including commentary from Rav Malamed. And we reviewed and discussed some of the ideas that are central to Judaism.
We discussed the idea in Judaism that we do not reject physicality completely, but apply spirituality to the physical world we live in. Some of the ways we apply spirituality include saying blessings over food, performing mitzvahs, and doing tikkun olam. We apply spirituality by carrying out our mission, that we use our talents, and positions within our community, to finish the act of creation which Hashem has started.
Hashem wants us to enjoy the world, but also wants us to practive moderation and channel physicality for spiritual purposes. For example, we have large meals and enjoy the best food on Shabbos, but we do not do this every day. We may enjoy wine and other beverages but have limits on this as well. It is important that we control and channel other physical desires such as those related to sexuality. We discussed how “run-away”, uncontrolled physicality became a problem for Jacob’s brother Esau, and for a lot of societies that have not lasted as long as our Jewish nation.
We discussed how the week’s parsha, Shemot, starts a new book of the Torah. We discussed how the books of the parsha are named after a word that appears in the beginning of the book. In this case the word, shemot, means “names” and is very descriptive of the book of Exodus. In the book, a lot of names are mentioned at first, but then no longer mentioned as we become slaves. When we were slaves, we were not free to have a relationship with God and carry on any mission so it as if we had no name at all.
When we are born it may appear that our parents choose a name for us, but it is believed that this name may actually be influenced by Hashem who influences the people who seem to be doing the naming. Hashem chooses a name based on his plans for us. The names of communities and entire countries may have significance as well, not just individual names.
We discussed how everything is God’s plan for us, including our becoming slaves. Jacob and his sons and their families may have come to Egypt to have what they thought would be a better life, with the opportunity to make a living, but Hashem’s plans went much beyond that. It was Hashem’s plans that we become slaves, so he could later redeem us, we could see how he loved us and helped us, we could receive the Torah, and we could remember this through-out our history. To this day, it is a commandment and great mitzvah to remember that Hashem helped free us from slavery, and to celebrate the holiday of Pesach to help in this remembrance. All of this can happen in our personal lives as well. We can become slaves, perhaps not physically, but mentally and/or spiritually, Hashem can free us, and we can grow from the experience.
We discussed how everything is God’s plan for us, including our becoming slaves. Jacob and his sons and their families may have come to Egypt to have what they thought would be a better life, with the opportunity to make a living, but Hashem’s plans went much beyond that. It was Hashem’s plans that we become slaves, so he could later redeem us, we could see how he loved us and helped us, we could receive the Torah, and we could remember this through-out our history. To this day, it is a commandment and great mitzvah to remember that Hashem helped free us from slavery, and to celebrate the holiday of Pesach to help in this remembrance. All of this can happen in our personal lives as well. We can become slaves, perhaps not physically, but mentally and/or spiritually, Hashem can free us, and we can grow from the experience.
We discussed how, although we became slaves in Egypt, one of the great things that happened in Egypt is that we became a nation. We started off as a family, from which came Moses, who became one of the great leaders of the Jewish people.
We discussed some of the reasons why Hashem choose Moses to lead us. We discussed how Moses was in touch with the emotions and realities of the people. Moses was able to empathize, and knew that the best approach would be to motivate and encourage, rather than to be strict and punish for every imperfection. Moses argued this point to Hashem, and actually won Hashem’s admiration for being willing to question and offer suggestions to the ultimate authority, Hashem.
David shared how this is similar to working in an organization, in a leadership position. It is important to question and make suggestions of ones supervisors, although of course do so in a respectful way. When interviewing for one of these positions, it may be helpful to demonstrate one’s willingness and ability to do so.
We discussed how Moses was also chosen to be leader for his outstanding character, and willingness to do what is right, rather than what is best for him personally. Moses would not have had to run away and hide if he had not killed the Egyptian, but it was the right thing to do, and put what is right over his own personal comfort.
Finally, we discussed some halakha related to providing meals for those who do not have a place to go. If we see strangers in the street without a place to have a meal, we should invite them into our homes. We may think we are only inviting them in because they are hungry, but we are also helping to enable them to perform mitzvahs such as washing, benching, and learning and discussing Torah over a meal.
If someone comes to visit us at our house, while we are having a meal, on any day of the week, we should invite them to stay regardless of whether or not they have a place to go. However, in many cases those invited to have a meal, have an obligation to refuse such an invitation, especially if the family offering is poor and simply inviting us to follow halakha and be nice.
David shared how this is similar to working in an organization, in a leadership position. It is important to question and make suggestions of ones supervisors, although of course do so in a respectful way. When interviewing for one of these positions, it may be helpful to demonstrate one’s willingness and ability to do so.
We discussed how Moses was also chosen to be leader for his outstanding character, and willingness to do what is right, rather than what is best for him personally. Moses would not have had to run away and hide if he had not killed the Egyptian, but it was the right thing to do, and put what is right over his own personal comfort.
Finally, we discussed some halakha related to providing meals for those who do not have a place to go. If we see strangers in the street without a place to have a meal, we should invite them into our homes. We may think we are only inviting them in because they are hungry, but we are also helping to enable them to perform mitzvahs such as washing, benching, and learning and discussing Torah over a meal.
If someone comes to visit us at our house, while we are having a meal, on any day of the week, we should invite them to stay regardless of whether or not they have a place to go. However, in many cases those invited to have a meal, have an obligation to refuse such an invitation, especially if the family offering is poor and simply inviting us to follow halakha and be nice.
This is a summary of what we discussed. No halachic rulings are intended or should be inferred.
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