Torah Portion

Caring For Others
A Primary Concern

no greater act than helping to ease
the pain of others during what is the
most difficult life experience.
Last week, I attended an impor-
tant symposium presented by the
Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy
Network of Metropolitan Detroit on
"Everything You Ever Wanted to
Know about Hospice but Were
Afraid
to Ask." I was impressed by
Ty to picture the scene the
the rabbis and community leaders,
night of the Exodus.
professionals and volunteers who
Imagine trying to move
had come together to learn about
at least 2 million people,
how to help others at the end of life,
by foot, out of a country with noth-
when
we instinctively shy away.
ing but the clothes on their backs
Too
many Jews leave this world in
and some matzah for food while
suffering, unaware that
behind them, the Egyptians
there are people ready to
are pushing them out the
offer spiritual and emotion-
door. No one really knows
al counseling. Too many
where to go or what to do.
relatives are afraid to make
All they know is that they
that phone call because
have to leave. And the only
they know that phone call
person to guide them is
will
force them to confront
Moshe.
a reality that everyone
But Moshe is nowhere to
knows, but no one wishes
be found. Where has he
to admit. And, too many of
gone? The Torah tells us,
us run around chasing after
"And Moshe took the bones
our gold and silver, without
of Yosef [Joseph] with him,
realizing the powerful work
for Yosef had forsworn the
we
can do done right in our
children of Israel that God
own
community.
would redeem them, and
Let's follow Moshe's lead
that you shall take my bones
and not fear death, but
with you from here." In the words of
instead immerse ourselves in caring
the midrash, while everyone else is
for those who cannot care for them-
busy with his own needs, Moshe
selves. As Moshe himself under-
tends to the bones of Yosef.
stood, nothing is more important. ❑
How can he abandon his nation
during such a frightening time to go
tend to the bones of the Yosef?
Doesn't he have more important
things to do?
No, he does not. Moshe realizes
that his first act as the leader of a
free people will set the tone for each
If God wants the Egyptians to
and every subsequent act. So, his
follow the Jewish people, why
very first act, even before they get
does He do it by making the
out the door, is one of chesed —
Jews seem confused? Why not
kindness to others, and most
just harden Pharaoh's heart and
notably, kindness in dealing with the
force him to follow? Where in
last wishes of someone he never met
the portion is there a reference to
and never knew. In doing so, Moshe
the fact that we make HaMotzi
teaches us an important lesson about
(blessing over bread) on two
how we must relate to those who are
challahs each Shabbat meal?
at the end of their lives.
Every teacher knows how impor-
Instinctively, we fear death. It
tant it is that students raise their
reminds us of our own fragile mor-
hands in class and not call out.
tality, and it forces us to confront
This requirement is actually
realities we prefer to ignore. Yet,
found somewhere in this week's
Moshe teaches us that there can be
Torah portion. Where?
Reuven Spolter is rabbi of Young Israel

Shabbat Shirah;
Beshallach:
Exodus 13:17-17:16;
Judges 4:4-5:31.

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