Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Chukas \ Ethics of our Fathers 5:4 - Blessings Without End


עֲשָׂרָה נִסִּים נַעֲשׂוּ לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בְמִצְרַיִם וַעֲשָׂרָה עַל הַיָּם. עֲשָׂרָה נִסְיוֹנוֹת נִסּוּ אֲבוֹתֵינוּ אֶת הַמָּקוֹם בָּרוּךְ הוּא בַמִּדְבָּר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (במדבר יד כב), וַיְנַסּוּ אֹתִי זֶה עֶשֶׂר פְּעָמִים וְלֹא שָׁמְעוּ בְּקוֹלִי: (אבות ה ד).

Ten miracles were performed for our forefathers in Egypt, and another ten at the sea. With ten tests our forefathers tested Gd in the desert, as is stated, "They tested Me these ten times, and did not hearken to My voice”, (Numbers 14:22), Ethics of our Fathers 5:4.

The Mishna opens that HaKadosh Baruch Hu performed ten miracles for the nation of Israel in Egypt. This refers to the ten plagues with which G-d struck Egypt in anticipation of the exodus by Israel. They were miracles on behalf of Israel because the Egyptians were harshly persecuting them, and in doing so was an act of vengeance for their pain and humiliation.

The Mishna continues with mentioning the miracles G-d did for Israel at the time of the crossing of the Red Sea. These were mainly acts of kindness to Israel. They are enumerated by Rabbi Ovadia of Bartenura as follows: 1) the water split, 2) the sea turned into a type of tent which Israel went into, 3) the sea floor became dry without rubble and mud, 4) the seafloor became muddy and rocky when the Egyptians went on it chasing after Israel, 5) the seafloor did not congeal into a single surface rather it became an ordered brickwork, 6) the congealed water became as hard as rock, 7) the sea split into twelve paths, one for each tribe, 8) the congealed water was like sapphire, onyx, and glass so the tribes could see each other, 9) fresh drinking water would flow to them, 10) the fresh water that was not drunk would congealed and turn into a pile.

The Mishna then talks about the ten trials the people of Israel gave to Hashem. They were the times Israel was shrill, disobedient, and lacked faith. They are as follows: 1) screaming at the Red Sea, are there no graves in Egypt that you should take us away to die in the wilderness, 2) griping about the bitter water at Marah, 3) griping about the lack of water in the desert at Rephidim, 4) gathering the manna in violation of Shabbos, 5) disobeying the command not to store the manna, 6) complaining about the manna by saying they had loads of good free food in Egypt, 7) joining in the carping about not having meat, 8) the golden calf, 9) murmuring against Hashem, 10) the spies.

After the sin of the spies the holy One blessed be He, states the essence specifically that all of people have seen his miracles which attribute to His greatness, power, benevolence, and love of Israel. Never the less the people still do not listen to him. In line with this the Tosfos Yom Tov comments concerning the sin of the golden calf that it was a case of unjustified doubts and having little faith. Therefore they lacked the confidence to stay the course.


The name of G-d, “Elohim” (אלקים), is a term meaning power. It is similar to other names of G-d which have a similar meaning. A person has free will and this includes choosing his source of power. Many will choose to be self-reliant and say things like the power of my hands did all these wonderful things. Other things people rely on are money and guns. A religious person’s source of power is their adherence to things like religious values, texts, and perception of the will of G-d.

The test of a source of power is how well one who relies on it fares in this world. It would seem that a personal sense of happiness is the guide. Money is nice, but a person can buy all sorts of things and still be miserable. A gun will not defend against disease. A person can be humbled by their own lack of abilities. When relying on other people one must evaluate are they powerful enough and will they remain loyal.

The desert generation had seen the power and benevolence of HaKadosh Baruch Hu. Therefore they should have believed that obeying His commandments would bring them happiness and allow them to prevail over their adversaries. There would be tests but in the end they would teach and strengthen.

Today we do not have open miracles and prophets but we do have religious texts, rabbis, and the ability to think things over. If the standards, ideas, and practices make intellectual sense a person should be inclined to go in that direction, especially if they yield good results. The allure of things like money, vanity, and lust will still remain a test. Even so one should have the confidence to stay the course, if all things are considered, Hashem has rained down from heaven so many huge blessings that it seems like they have no end.


   
לע"נ הדוד לייב הערש בן אהרן ז"ל נלב"ע יז תמוז תשמ"ב
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