![]() Rabbi David Etengoff ה' יעזור וירחם על אחינו כל בני ישראל, בארץ ישראל ובכל חלקי הארץ Rabbi Elchanan Wasserman zatzal (1874–1941) was one of the greatest disciples of the saintly Chafetz Chaim zatzal (Rav Yisrael Meir Kagan, 1838-1933). In his eulogy for his beloved rebbe, he explained that the Chafetz Chaim at first wanted to change the world, then lowered his expectations to his community. After then directing his efforts toward his family, he finally settled upon changing himself. According to Rav Wasserman, the Chafetz Chaim was so humble, he failed to realize that his self-transformation ultimately did change his family, community and the entire world. Our parasha contains a similar narrative of change regarding Moshe Rabbeinu. As the Torah attests, his youth was spent as the adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter and, according to Rashi, the head of Pharaoh’s household. (2:1) Most people in this situation would have embraced their opulent conditions and rejected their enslaved family of origin. Moshe, however, acted very differently. Although the Torah remains completely silent regarding the inner workings of his mind during this period, it is clear Moshe maintained a strong connection to his Jewish origins: Now it came to pass in those days that Moshe grew up and went out to his brothers and looked at their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian man striking a Hebrew man of his brothers. He turned this way and that way, and he saw that there was no man; so he struck the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. (Sefer Shemot 2:11-12, this and all Bible translations, The Judaica Press Complete Tanach) Why did Moshe rescue his fellow Jew? Like any nobleman of his time, he could easily have ignored this all-too-common violence. Then, too, the very next day he again left the palace to continue to look after the welfare of his fellow Jews. When he discovered Datan and Aviram (Rashi 2:13) in the midst of a heated argument that threatened physical violence, Moshe immediately asked them to refrain from striking one another. Unfortunately, they rejected his intervention, and their harsh rebuke revealed to Moshe that his actions against the Egyptian taskmaster had become public knowledge: He [Moshe] went out on the second day, and behold, two Hebrew men were quarreling, and he said to the wicked one, “Why are you going to strike your friend?” And he retorted, “Who made you a man, a prince, and a judge over us? Do you plan to slay me as you have slain the Egyptian?” Moshe became frightened and said, “Indeed, the matter has become known!” (2:13-14) Moshe immediately fled Egypt and sought asylum in Midian, a wise plan, since when “Pharaoh heard of this inciden,t he sought to slay Moshe.” (2:15) In sum, Moshe risked everything by identifying with, and defending his brethren. Once in Midian, Moshe’s focus on justice and righteousness expanded to include the needs of non-Jews: … so Moshe fled from before Pharaoh. He stayed in the land of Midian, and he sat down by a well. Now the chief of Midian had seven daughters, and they came and drew [water], and they filled the troughs to water their father's flocks. But the shepherds came and drove them away; so Moshe arose and rescued them and watered their flocks. (2:15-16) At this point in in the narrative of Moshe’s life, we see him undertaking several crucial steps toward becoming a consummate leader. First, he refused to be corrupted by the life he had led as a palace prince. Next, he grew in his love of his fellow Jews to the extent that he placed his own life in danger. Lastly, in a true test of moral rectitude, he actualized his desire for universal justice and fought to protect the non-Jewish daughters of the chief of Midian. With righteousness, conviction of purpose, and singular bravery, Moshe became a true representative of the Master of the Universe. Little wonder, then, that the Almighty chose him to be the leader of our nascent nation. With Hashem’s help, may we strive to emulate Moshe Rabbeinu and bring forth positive changes in ourselves, our nation, and ultimately, our world. V’chane yihi ratzon. Shabbat Shalom Past drashot may be found at my blog-website: http://reparashathashavuah.org The email list, b’chasdei Hashem, has expanded to hundreds of people. I am always happy to add more members to the list. If you would like to be added, please contact me via email: mailto:[email protected]. *** My audio shiurim on the topics of Tefilah and Tanach may be found at: Tefilah and Tanach *** I have posted 164 of Rabbi Soloveitchik’s English language audio shiurim (MP3 format) spanning the years 1958-1984. Please click on the highlighted link.
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