This week's parsha
Unless otherwise noted, "This week's Parsha" comprises articles taken from contributors to the Chabad.org website. We show the original author's name here, so that proper attribution is given. For the sake of brevity, footnotes cited in the original author's writings are omitted from this website. If you need to see the citations, please refer to the original articles on the Chabad.org website.
A New Perspective
"…The bush was burning in the fire, but the bush was not consumed. And Moses said: Let me move away from here and see this great sight…"—Exodus 3:2-3.
The first portion of the Book of Exodus describes Moses' ascendance as the leader and redeemer of his people. His first experience of being openly called upon by G‑d takes place at the burning bush. When Moses beholds this miracle, he declares, "Let me move away from here and see this great sight…"
In simple terms, Moses physically moved from the place where he was standing in order to gain a better view of the burning bush. On a deeper level, the verse describes a shift in spiritual perspective as well. If one wishes to behold the divine, he must be ready to move from his current stance and assume a new way of looking at things. One must never be so complacent as to refuse to budge from his present view. Thus, upon encountering the divine, even a righteous and highly refined individual such as Moses saw fit to move to a new vantage point. As the ancient legal maxim goes, "Man is always partial to himself." Therefore, we must always "move away from here"—from the inherent subjectivity of where we stand and try to see things from an angle outside of our present stance.
Life Never Ends
And Jacob finished commanding his sons, and he gathered up his feet into the bed, and expired, and was gathered unto his people. (Genesis 49:33)
The Torah does not state "he died," and the sages declared, "Our father Jacob did not die... just as his children are alive, so is he alive."
What forms the basis for the love and communion between two dear friends, between husband and wife or between children and their parent? Not the physical body, which is flesh and bones and guts, but the characteristics of the spirit, the true essence of man. It is only that man communicates with his fellow through the body and its limbs. Through his eyes, ears, hands, organs of speech, etc., man gives expression to his thoughts, feelings, and the characteristics of his spirit, and (obviously) it is they, not the bodily tools of expression, that constitute his true essence and being.
The Torah does not state "he died," and the sages declared, "Our father Jacob did not die... just as his children are alive, so is he alive."
What forms the basis for the love and communion between two dear friends, between husband and wife or between children and their parent? Not the physical body, which is flesh and bones and guts, but the characteristics of the spirit, the true essence of man. It is only that man communicates with his fellow through the body and its limbs. Through his eyes, ears, hands, organs of speech, etc., man gives expression to his thoughts, feelings, and the characteristics of his spirit, and (obviously) it is they, not the bodily tools of expression, that constitute his true essence and being.
Joseph, My Son, Still Lives
This week's parshah relates how Joseph revealed his true identity to his brothers and was reunited with them.
It is stated in last week's parshah that when the brothers had first come to Egypt and had met Joseph, "Joseph recognized his brothers but they did not recognize him." Why did the brothers fail to recognize Joseph? The simple explanation is that many years had elapsed since they had last seen him. They had left him an unbearded young man, and now he was a fully-bearded adult.
Chassidism offers a different interpretation of the verse. The sons of Jacob had all chosen to be shepherds – a quiet and peaceful occupation. Out in the fields, tending their flocks, they had little contact with the social life of the country and were undisturbed in their service of G-d, in their worship and study. The brothers of Joseph felt it necessary to select an occupation which would facilitate their leading a G-d-fearing life. They did not wish to live in an environment that would place temptations in their chosen path.
It is stated in last week's parshah that when the brothers had first come to Egypt and had met Joseph, "Joseph recognized his brothers but they did not recognize him." Why did the brothers fail to recognize Joseph? The simple explanation is that many years had elapsed since they had last seen him. They had left him an unbearded young man, and now he was a fully-bearded adult.
Chassidism offers a different interpretation of the verse. The sons of Jacob had all chosen to be shepherds – a quiet and peaceful occupation. Out in the fields, tending their flocks, they had little contact with the social life of the country and were undisturbed in their service of G-d, in their worship and study. The brothers of Joseph felt it necessary to select an occupation which would facilitate their leading a G-d-fearing life. They did not wish to live in an environment that would place temptations in their chosen path.
In our thoughts
Search
Supporters
Please show your gratitude by supporting them.
Kiddush Club
Wanted: Kiddush Club sponsors
If you are celebrating a special occasion (birthday, anniversary, yahrzeit) and want to share it with the community, why not consider sponsoring a Kiddush Club Event?
Nice to know
Upcoming Events
Use the Kiddush Club Request Form (see menu) to publicize your upcoming simcha or yahrzeit by sponsoring a Shabbat kiddush.