Chasidic Insights

CHASIDIC INSIGHTS PARSHAS SHMOS 5765 BS"D

Ch. 1, v. 1: "Habo'im Mitzroymoh" - Although the bnei Yisroel are forced to endure exile for many years, sometimes even for centuries at a time, nevertheless, they should attempt to retain the atmosphere of Eretz Yisroel. They should feel as if they are just in the process of COMING, "habo'im," and not as if they have been in the foreign land for a long period of time. (Rabbi Yisochor Dov Admor of Belz in Sh'eiris Menachem)

Ch. 1, v. 1: "Habo'im Mitzroymoh" - The bnei Yisroel came to a place that was inherently restrictive, "m'tzorim." The ability to fully realize one's potential was limited in this wasteland of spirituality. (Baal Hatanya)

Ch. 2, v. 6: "Vati'reihu es ha'yeled v'hi'nei naar bocheh" - The verse does not say that she HEARD him crying, only "vati'reihu." This word can be translated as "and she perceived," as Rashi translates the second "va'yar" in Breishis 18:2. Just as Avrohom perceived the need of the hour and sprung into action, so did Bisyoh. (Nirreh li)

Ch. 2, v. 12: "Va'yar ki ein ish" - Moshe only made use of his supernatural power of evoking Hashem's Holy Name to bring about the death of the Mitzri after doing serious soul-searching. Only after concluding that he had no personal vendetta against the Mitzri, there was no "myself" involved, "va'yar ki ein ish," did he proceed. (Malbim)

Ch. 2, v. 12: "Va'yach es haMitzri va'yit'm'neihu bachole" - Rashi on the words in verse 14, "halhorgeini atoh OMEIR" derives that Moshe killed the Mitzri with the use of Hashem's Holy Name. Yet, we find that our verse says "va'yach," and he smote him. Possibly, Moshe actually hit him, but this was no cause for the Mitzri's death. As Rashi explains it was done through the use of Hashem's Holy Name. Moshe just clothed his supernatural abilities in a physical act, "va'yit'm'neihu," and he hid his supernatural act "bachole," in a worldly physical act. (Nirreh li)

Ch. 2, v. 14: "Halhorgeini atoh omeir kaasher horagto es haMitzri" - Indeed, Doson and Avirom also died through the words of Moshe that the earth would swallow them. (Sfas Emes in Y'cha'hein P'eir)

Even "va'yit'm'neihu bachole" was fulfilled, as Doson and Avirom were also covered by the earth. (Rabbi Chanoch Zvi of Bendin ibid.)

Ch. 2, v. 22: "Geir hoyisi b'eretz nochrioh" - These are two statements. Firstly, I am a sojourner on this world. Secondly, it is now taking place in a foreign land, outside Eretz Yisroel. (Ohr Hachaim Hakodosh)

Ch. 3, v. 1: "U'Moshe hoyoh ro'eh" - "Va'y'hi Moshe ro'eh" would indicate that he NOW became a shepherd. However, "U'Moshe hoyoh" is to be translated as "and Moshe was ALREADY a shepherd." The Holy Zohar writes that Moshe was a reincarnation of Hevel, who was a shepherd (Breishis 4:2). (Nirreh li)

Ch. 3, v. 12: "B'hotziacho es ho'om miMitzrayim taavdun es hoElokim al hohor ha'zeh" - Pirkei Ovos 3:6 says that whoever accepts upon himself the yoke of Torah, he will be relieved of the yokes of the government and working for his livelihood. This is the intention of our verse. It is only through serving Hashem on this mountain, i.e. acceptance of the yoke of the Torah, that you will be set free and relieved of the servitude to Egypt, and be sustained miraculously in the desert. (Rabbi Chanoch Zvi of Bendin in Y'cha'hein P'eir)

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