Parshat Beshalach
In this week's Torah portion we read about the journey of the Exodus. "And it was when Pharaoh sent out the nation.... V'chamushim Yatzeu Bnei Yisrael M'Eretz Mitrayim-The children of Israel were Chamushim when they left up from Egypt".
Rashi (1040-1105 France) explains the word V'Chamushim in two ways; (1) weapons or armed i.e., the Jewish people were armed when they left Egypt (2) One fifth - only one fifth came out of Egypt. Many Jewish people were wicked and died in the plague of darkness.
Perhaps, we wonder, why would a nation under G-d's protection (just having experienced the ten plagues) have to arm themselves? Rabbeinu Bachya Ben Asher (1255-1340 Spain) explains that G-d wanted them to prepare themselves in a natural manner for the challenges that may arise. Rabbi Sampson Raphael Hirsch (1808-1888 Germany) explains that although the Jewish people were armed, nonetheless they lacked the confidence to fight back if they were attacked. As such, G-d took on a circuitous route to avoid any confrontation.
Let us examine for a moment the purpose of being armed.
In a perfect world, we wouldn't need weapons as Yeshayahu Ha'Navi - (Isaiah 2:4) writes "And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore". Weapons serve as a deterrent and as a means of defending oneself. Sometimes, we are faced with a situation that requires a specific response or plan of action. If this need arises, we must have the appropriate tools to deal with the challenge.
In a perfect world, we wouldn't need weapons as Yeshayahu Ha'Navi - (Isaiah 2:4) writes "And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore". Weapons serve as a deterrent and as a means of defending oneself. Sometimes, we are faced with a situation that requires a specific response or plan of action. If this need arises, we must have the appropriate tools to deal with the challenge.
In our times, the Jewish community is faced with another dangerous situation-the lack of Jewish education and knowledge. Lack of understanding and knowledge, leads to lack of interest and engagement. In the age of unprecedented information and high speed instantaneous downloads, if we don't give our children the WHY of Judaism, then they simply will not see the relevance and reason to follow our traditions.
Perhaps we can see the word V'chamushim (and they were armed) as being armed with knowledge, for their is no more powerful antidote to indifference and disinterest than being inspired and knowledgeable of our own heritage and faith.
Upon the Exodus our ancestors realized that in order to keep their youth engaged they would have to arm them with a solid Jewish education.
Perhaps we can see the word V'chamushim (and they were armed) as being armed with knowledge, for their is no more powerful antidote to indifference and disinterest than being inspired and knowledgeable of our own heritage and faith.
Upon the Exodus our ancestors realized that in order to keep their youth engaged they would have to arm them with a solid Jewish education.
Shabbat Shalom.
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