Parasha Thoughts
By Rabbi Aharon Seleh
The Chofetz Chaim used to emphasize that if you want to know how the final redemption will play out, look back at our redemption from Egypt.
Rabbi Mattisyahu Solomon asks, “When Hashem told Moshe the time had come to redeem Israel, Moshe went to Egypt. But not only did things not improve, they worsened. Pharaoh got upset and made them work harder. Why did this happen?†He answers that Israel was lacking merit, so Hashem initiated a situation to create merit. The Israeli supervisors refused to give the names of the Jews who couldn’t finish their quota of bricks. They were whipped instead. This showed unity in Israel.
We are at a time where Bnei Israel need each other. There are people who are suffering financially especially in Israel. Let us all do our part. The Arizal teaches that the power of tzedaka is equivalent to Torah, especially when it comes to protection.
Chacham Ovadia zatzal taught the following: The Gemara says, “Charity saves from death” is mentioned twice in scripture. One to teach that it saves you from death in this world, and one to teach it saves you from ×’×”×™× × – for those that give consistently and generously each according to their means. ציון במשפט תפדה ושביה בצדקה. Hashem will redeem Yerushalyim through justice, and for those returning – through צדקה!
Shabbat Shalom