As we begin Sefer שמות, we. are introduced, for the first time, to our great liberator, our masterful teacher, the ultimate representative and messenger of G-D, our beloved משה רבינו. Moshe was unique in every way. His personal characteristics reflected a combination of attributes and standards for all of us to follow. Moshe was the first to lead the Jewish People into history and has remained, for everlasting time, our inspiration and our emulating example, enriching our spiritual lives.
Moshe showed us that Judaism is not only theology but a way of life that projects our actions as an expression of the will of Hashem that has become our Judaic hallmark throughout history.
The Torah states ויצא אל אחיו "Moshe grew and went forth to his brethren and saw their burdens." The most crucial word is ויצא, "He went forth." Moshe was not content to live within his own environment. He went forth to see how others lived. He wanted to be able to influence his society to improve their way of life .
Too often people become prisoners of their own narrow environment, of their specific economic and social group, oblivious to what is happening around them. There is a need, as Moshe did, to ויצא, to move out of oneself, out of ones own personal interests and become less trapped by ones egos and open ones eyes and hearts to the needs of others.
This ויצא, takes us out of the "I" and brings us into the "We", thereby forging a stronger אחדות between man and his fellow man.
Moshe could have been living a more luxurious life in the palace of Pharoah, but his strong sense of Humanity and his recognition of his identity with his people drew him out into the world of his brethren. He began to identify with the woes of others and found a new life, a life worthy of reaching out.
Moshe reacted with his heart and eyes. He reacted to their pain and acted upon their suffering, even to the extent of putting his life in jeopardy.
Moshe had a throne, but he lost it and gained immortality for the sake of the betterment of his people. In doing so he became the celestial flame igniting the Jewish world with great spirituality that has sustained Judaism's vibrancy down through the ages.
Moshe is our Rebbe and has become our emulating figure, showing us the need to reach out to others and become less absorbed in ourselves.
Today is the yarzheit for my Beloved Mother
ריבה בת יחיאל ע׳ה. She was truly a person that personifies this concept of ויצא. Her life was always thinking of others and how she could be of help to her family and those around her. May her memory be a Blessing to everyone who was touched by her generosity and love.
שבת שלום
May the neshama of your dear mother have an aliyah, Danny. A Good Shabbos.
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