Parshas Shemos 5786
- Torah Tavlin
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
וישב משה אל ה' ויאמר אדני למה הרעתה לעם הזה למה זה שלחתני ... (ה-כב)
Moshe Rabbeinu was sent by Hashem to Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, demanding that Bnei Yisroel be released. However, instead of relief, Moshe’s declaration resulted in intensified work. Broken by what he saw, Moshe returned to Hashem and asked, “Why have You made it worse for this nation?” The Meforshim ask: Moshe knew better than anyone that Hashem runs the world with perfect justice and Divine precision. How then, could Moshe ask “why,” as if there were no reason?
In Birchas Krias Shema we describe malachim, angels, as those who “open their mouths with holiness and purity.” Is it possible for angels to speak with impurity? What is the deeper meaning here? The Seforim Hakedoshim explain that when Yidden stumble there, is spiritual impurity in the world below which reverberates upward and the Heavenly realms are affected. Even malachim, though inherently holy, are impacted and must “purify” their speech from the residue of human sin.
A chasid once told the Kotzker Rebbe zt”l, that although he worked with people struggling in Yiddishkeit, it has no affect on him. The Rebbe replied, “If you walk through a fire and don’t get burned, either the fire is fake or you are!”
The Tiferes Shlomo explains, Moshe told Hashem he could not be the messenger because he was "כבד פה וכבד לשון". The word "כבד" can also mean "כבוד", honor. Moshe claimed, “I have used my mouth to only speak about Your honor Hashem. How can I use the same mouth to speak to the impure Pharaoh?” Indeed, after speaking to Pharaoh, Moshe felt his spiritual level had been affected. "וישב משה" - Moshe did teshuva. Preparing to speak with Hashem, he worked to regain his purity.
He then asked Hashem, “If even on my level, a short conversation with Pharaoh was detrimental, how much more harmful it must be for the Jews to be totally submerged in Egypt? Why have You challenged them this way?” Throughout the day we have encounters that may not be entirely pure, whether for business or to help another Yid. We should not underestimate the mark it makes. Before davening, learning, or coming into Shabbos, like Moshe Rabbeinu, we should make the necessary preparation.