Eternity II
The Maharal (Gevuras Hashem 52) declares that the Ten Makos, which begin in this week’s parsha, are not mere historical phenomena; they are very precise lessons for every Jew in every generation. In other words, Hashem has embedded a treasure-house of Torah in these exciting events. Just as the actual makos spoke directly to Pharaoh, so also does their retelling instruct us in how to conquer another Pharaoh, the yetzer hara, who lurks within us.
The Slonimer Rav clarifies several of these concepts. For example, he notes that the first three makos – blood, frogs, and lice – originated from below the surface of the ground. The second – wild animals, sickness, and boils – started and stayed at ground level. The last four makos – hail, locusts, darkness, and slaying of the firstborn – came from above.
Says the Slonimer, Hashem was responding to Pharaoh’s arrogant remark to Moshe, “Who is Hashem that I should heed His voice to send out Israel? I do not know Hashem, nor will I send out Israel!” (5:2) Pharaoh denied Hashem’s existence and His control of this world. Therefore, Hashem did not send only the last makah, which by itself would force Pharaoh to send out Israel on the spot; first, He made sure to answer Pharaoh: “Not only do I exist, but I control all areas of this world, lowest to highest.”
No event is beyond Hashem’s control. The “news” was planned eons ago, and the upcoming Super Bowl’s outcome is just as determined as that of a pro wrestling match.
Once we accept Hashem’s control over our lives, then we can bend our will to do His will – the purpose of life itself. As Shlomo HaMelech says (Koheles 12:13): “The sum of the matter, when all has been considered: Fear Hashem and keep His commandments, for that is a person’s whole duty.”
Perhaps this concept is one understanding of the very first Rashi in Sefer Breishis. Rashi there answers a question: why does the Torah begin with Creation, instead of with Rosh Chodesh, the first mitzvah given to the Jewish nation? He cryptically explains that should the nations ever accuse us of stealing the land of Israel from the Canaanim, we can reply, “All the earth belongs to the Holy One, Blessed be He; He created it and gave it to whom He pleased.”
In the light of this Rashi, the makos, which form the last maaseh before the mitzvoh of Rosh Chodesh, summarize the message from Maaseh Breishis – Hashem runs the world! Then, and only then, can we begin to learn His mitzvos.
Hashem makes His lesson clear; the Slonimer notes that the first makah of every series – blood, wild animals, and hail – contains the same phrase. Before blood, Hashem says, “through this, you will know that I am Hashem” (7:17); by wild animals, He repeats, “so that you will know that I am Hashem in the midst of the land” (8:18); and by hail, He says, “so that you shall know that there is none like Me in all the world.” (9:14)
Hashem’s message is ever more urgent in today’s high-tech world, when scientific “miracles” and mighty accomplishments are common. We, however, respond, “Hashem’s is the earth and its fullness, the inhabited land and those that dwell in it.” (Tehillim 24:1) Texans and Arabs do not “discover” oil; Hashem guides them to it and teaches them how to extract, refine, and even sell it. Doctors do not “cure” people; Hashem gives them permission to be conduits for His healing. (Bava Kamma 85a) NASA does not “conquer” space; Hashem allows humans to become astronauts. When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon, it was indeed “one great leap” – but only with Hashem’s permission. He also decides when humanity should not have success, such as this past week, when an unmanned exploration vehicle (which had traveled millions of miles to Mars) suddenly broke down and refused to transmit data to earth.
Know what to answer . . .
HaRav Shalom Meir Wallach shlit’a, who lives in Bnei Brak, relates that a century and a half ago, the gedolim of Europe called an asifah in Pressburg to establish certain policies relating to Klal Israel. Everything was going well, until suddenly the gathering was interrupted by a wicked galach, who had been spreading rumors of the infamous blood libel. Innocent Jews had already lost their lives from his slander.
He seized the podium and shouted, “I will now prove that my accusations are true!” Pulling a Pesach Haggadah from his pocket, he read, “‘Rabbi Yehudah would give them (the Ten Makos) a memory device, Detzach.’” The galach then gave his “explanation: “Rabbi Yehudah isn’t saying anything new. He must be hinting at your secret: ‘Dam Tzarichim Kulanu!’ -- ‘We all need blood!’”
Everyone sat there in shocked silence.
Suddenly, Rabbi Yitzchok Volozhiner spoke up. “A partial answer is no answer! Here is the real explanation: ‘Detzach’ – ‘Divrei Tzorereinu, Kazav!’ – ‘The words of our oppressors are false!’ ‘Adash’ – ‘Alilas Dam, Sheker!’ – ‘The blood libel is a lie!’ ‘BiAchav’ – ‘Bnei Avraham, Chalila B’zos!’ – It is a profanity for children of Avraham to do such a thing!’”
Beaten at his own game, the galach ran!
Clothes Make the Yid
Chazal tell us that we were redeemed from Mitzrayim because we did not change our names, language, and clothes to assimilate with the Mitzriim. These stories, also from Rav Wallach, illustrate the importance of dressing like a Jew.
A maskil asked Rav Ayzil Charif, zt”l, the Rav of Slonim, “Where does the Torah say that the Jews did not change their manner of dress in Mitzrayim?” Reb Ayzil answered on the spot: “It’s an open posuk! ‘And a lady will borrow silver vessels, gold vessels, and clothing from her [Mitzri] neighbor and housemate, and she will place them upon her sons and daughters.’ (Shmos 3:22) Why did only the Jewish children get the Mitzri clothes, and not the Jewish adults? Simple – the clothes were so short and non-tznius that Jewish adults would never wear them. The material was only big enough for children!”
________________________
When Rabbi Akiva Eiger zt”l visited Warsaw, he noticed that some of the askonim who came to greet him wore certain coats which were identified with non-Jewish dress at that time. He said, “Israel is likened to fire, (Ovadiah 1:18) and the nations are called ‘strong waters.’ (Shir HaShirim 8:7) Normally, water puts out fire, but only so long as there is no barrier between them. If, however, the water and fire are separated by a kettle, the opposite occurs; the fire boils away the water. What is the barrier between Jews and the nations? Our unique clothing! However, once that wall falls . . .”
________________________
The city of Boskowitz suffered from a gang of hoodlums. Their leader decided to repent. He went to Rav Wolf, the rav of the city, to learn the path to teshuvah.
Some talmidim eavesdropped under the rav’s window, eager to hear the rigorous regimen of suffering that Rav Wolf would surely prescribe. To their surprise, the rav greeted the man warmly and asked from him only one thing: that he change his clothing to Jewish-style dress!
After the man left, the talmidim ran in and asked the rav for an explanation.
Rav Wolf explained, “I have two reasons. First, if he does change his style of clothing, it’s an easy proof for me to see that his teshuvah is sincere. Second, even if he truly does want to repent, perhaps he will be tempted to rejoin his old cronies. However, if he continues to dress in distinctly Jewish clothes, he will be ashamed to be among them. What’s more, they will make fun of him. Therefore, he will stay away from them, and, little by little, I can guide him on the Torah path to teshuvah shleimah!”