Parashat Shemot in english 5769
Rav David Daniel Hacohen שליט״א
Summary
The Rav explains the multiplication of Israel in Parashat Shemot by going back to Adam, who in his good intention mixed the souls of the nations with the souls of Israel. This mixture was repaired in stages by the Patriarchs, then by the slavery in Egypt, where Israel had to relearn faith. He reads the ten plagues as three groups, according to the sign of Rabbi Yehuda, teaching that Hashem exists, that He watches over every detail, and that He can do whatever He wants. The Rav says that good comes through the righteous and hardship through the wicked, and that one should feel pity rather than anger toward someone who harms us. He adds that a loss may be a kindness from Hashem, as in the story of Eliyahu and the cow. For the Rav, the weeks from Shemot to Mishpatim are the best time to repent and repair past mistakes.
Highlights
- 0:12 Adam's good intention and the mixture of the souls of the nations Creation The soul Secrets of the Torah
- 2:21 The Patriarchs begin the repair; Egypt completes it Reincarnation The Patriarchs Tikkun
- 3:16 The ten plagues taught Israel to believe in Hashem Faith Passover
- 4:10 Rabbi Yehuda's sign and the three groups of plagues Passover Secrets of the Torah
- 5:47 First group: Hashem exists, even against Pharaoh's magic Faith Passover
- 7:45 Good comes through the righteous, hardship through the wicked: have pity on whoever harms us Trust in G-d Character traits The righteous
- 9:00 Second and third groups: Hashem's providence and His power Faith Passover
- 10:40 Feeling oneself leave Egypt: Mitzrayim as the prison of the evil inclination Redemption Passover The evil inclination
- 12:11 Everything comes from Hashem, even a loss of money Trust in G-d Faith Livelihood
- 12:43 Eliyahu and the cow: a loss that spares a greater harm Trust in G-d The righteous
- 14:23 The Temple burned in place of the people: Hashem's kindness in anger The Temple Faith
- 14:57 From Shemot to Mishpatim, the time to repair past mistakes Marriage and family Repentance Tikkun