Shabbat has now entered the
mainstream media and press. In numerous articles and a number of newscasts, the
press has arrived at a fascinating and powerful realization.. Our children and
their friends have been talking about Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump and the fact
that “Shabbat” has effected the Whitehouse and the world. The theory is
fascinating and even made it to Saturday Night Live. All week Jared Kushner as
at the side of his father – in- law.
However late Friday afternoon, Jared leaves his White House job as an
advisor to the President and return home for Shabbat. He doesn’t deal with his
Father-in-law until after Shabbat. Well, the chaos of the President’s
controversial Executive Order regarding travel, immigration and vetting from
seven Muslim countries was signed around 6 pm on a Friday evening, when Jared
had left for Shabbat. The week after the Executive Order, on Shabbat, the
President angrily tweeted about “so called judges” deciding issues of national
security. The week before, on Shabbat, President angrily commented and tweeted
that his inauguration was the most well attended, and anyone who had
contradicting evidence was lying. It seems that when Jared leaves work for
Shabbat, the President stops following appropriate channels and following the
necessary protocols that allow a democratically elect leader to govern in a low
maintenance minimally dramatic manner. It
seems that when Jared leaves for Shabbat, there is no one who can tamp down the
President’s anger and frustration.
This Shabbat we read form Parsha
Beshallach This Shabbat is known as Shabbat
Shira (Shabbat of Songs) because
of the "songs" or poetry in both the Parsha, Beshallach, and in the
Haftarah. In Parsha Beshallach, B'nai Yisroel finally leaves Egypt. Pharaoh
sends them out and they hurriedly leave. Three days later, B'nai Yisroel
arrives at the Yam Suf, the Reed Sea, which is along the Mediterranean coast. With
Pharaoh's army behind them, and the Sea in front, B'nai Yisroel is trapped.
Then the sea opens up, B'nai Yisroel crosses through and arrives safely on the
other side. The Egyptian army gets caught in the sea - bed as the waters comes
crashing down. Out of joy and relief, B'nai Yisroel composes Shirat HaYam, the Song of the Sea. No sooner are they finished celebrating, then
they begin complaining about the lack of water and food. God provides water and
Manna. However, B'nai Yisroel is still not safe. Now they are attacked by the
indigenous tribe, the Amalekites. B'nai Yisroel must put aside its hunger and
thirst and fight for their lives. They do, and they are victorious. The Parsha
ends with God commanding Moshe to blot out the very existence of the
Amalekites.
As the tragic effects of the
Tenth Plague wear off, the first born are buried and mourned, Pharaoh, his
servants and his noble class, regret VaYehi
B’Shallach Paro Et Ha’Am – that
Pharoah sent the slaves out and they were now making their way towards
freedom. So what did Pharaoh do? How did he respond? In a rather innocuous statement, the Torah states: VaYesor et Richbo V’Et Amo Lakach Imo –
He made ready his chariot and took his
people with him VaYikach Sheis Meiot Rechev Bachur V’CHol
Rechev Mitzrayim V’SHalishim Al Kulo – He
took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt and captains
over all of them. However this very
simple sentence ‘he made ready his chariot’ has far deeper implications that a
many hitching his horses to his chariot. Rashi, the great 11th century
French commentator crytically states: Hu
B’Atzmo – He himself readied his
horses and hitched the royal horses to the royal chariot. Rashi’s cryptical
comment is based upon a far more ancient comment dating back from the Talmudic
Rabbis in Breishit Rabbah stating that hatred disrupts protocol. Pharaoh had
servants to prepare the chariot, why didn’t they do their job? The Mechilta
clarifies Breishit Rabbah’s concern. Kings usually stand by while others
prepare their chariots and harness it. Pharoah was so angered, so wicked that
he did so himself. Once the generals and the courtiers saw Pharaoh preparing
his own chariot they did the same. They didn’t discuss strategy, they didn’t
formulate a plan. Pharaoh’s anger burned so uncontrollably that he didn’t think;
he just impulsively responded, and the results were disastrous.
Literally, Pharoah required a
horse-whisperer; someone to calmly talk him down from his rage. However
Pharaoh’s rule was absolute, and without a “horse whisperer” without a trusted
advisor who could “talk him down” this absolute ruler, this most powerful man
in the ancient world, arrogantly and mistakenly led his army into the Reed Sea
and suffer an ignominious defeat at the hands of Hebrew slaves and God. As our children continue to watch the news, hear
newscasters and news commentators continue to mention “Shabbat” and as the “Shabbat”
continues to become part of the mainstream cultural lexicon; we can only hope
that Jared can figure out a way diminish his father in law’s anger, rage and
frustration and follow process and protocol.
Peace,
Rav Yitz
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