spirit

torah portion

The Placement
Of Faith

T

his Torah portion is unique
in its showcasing of so many
ups and downs of the Jewish
nation.
The Jews triumphantly leave Egypt
with “a high hand.” Pursued by the
Egyptian armies, they accuse Moshe
of attempting to bring about their
demise. They witness the splitting
So despite the miraculous nature
of the Red Sea, the destruction of
of this food, which according to the
the Egyptian army and a revelation
Talmud could taste like almost any
of God that brings them to genuine
food that existed, its not being able
belief in God and Moses.
to be kept for longer than 24
The exultation of the
hours was quite disconcert-
Song of the Sea (Az Yashir)
ing. Having manna one day
is followed by complaints
did not ensure survival on
first about bitter water
the next. This was the “test”
— which is miraculously
connected with the manna.
sweetened — and then no
Most of us don’t consider
water. Water flows from a
worrying about the future
rock. Then come laws of
Rabbi Elimelech to be sinful. Today, you can
Shabbat and, finally, the
purchase insurance for your
Silberberg
first encounter with perma-
house, your car, your life,
nent archenemy Amalek.
your dog, your wedding, your
A colorful and happening
voice. We pursue security at
portion indeed.
all costs and for all possible
A most fascinating segment deals
eventualities.
with the Jews complaining about a
The Chasidic masters taught that,
lack of food in the desert and God
indeed, we must endeavor to sup-
port ourselves and our family to the
giving them the gift of manna from
heaven. This daily present from God best of our abilities. Then, having
done whatever we can, we must
would sustain them for almost 40
years; but instead of calling it a “gift,” put our faith in God that He will
Torah refers to it as a “test” from the provide us with our needs. “Let go
and let God.” Trust in the Almighty.
Almighty.
To worry about the future instead of
A Chasidic insight explains the
maintaining a joyful disposition is
nature of the “test” provided by the
indeed a breach of the faith in God
manna. An important characteristic
that is expected from us.
of manna was that it lasted for only
Certainly, obedience to Torah
one day; whatever was not con-
sumed by the end of the day became includes, among other things,
keeping kosher and observing the
foul and wormy. This is why it fell
Sabbath as well as being a decent
every single day. Thus, the manna
human being and marrying Jewish.
provided no security for the future.
But the true test of a spiritual per-
Every night the people went to sleep
son is being able to prepare for the
with bare cupboards; every morn-
future and feeling secure that Divine
ing they rushed to check that new
manna had indeed fallen. (Two more Providence will always direct his
destiny. •
miracles: On Friday, a double por-
tion fell — for Friday and Shabbat
Elimelech Silberberg is a rabbi at Tugman
—and it lasted for two days. Jews,
Bais Chabad Torah Center in West Bloomfield.
therefore, did not have to work to
gather manna on Shabbat.)

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

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4460 Orchard Lake Road 7 West Bloomfield, MI 48323

*Special applies to select apartments.

jn

February 9 • 2017

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