In Memory of Baruch Yitzchak ben Yirmiyahu (Barry Pessin)

In this week's Torah portion Moshe Rabbenu tells G-D that after going to the Jewish People and telling them that he was sent by G-d to redeem them, they didn't listen to him because they were overwhelmed by the tremendous slave labor. Moshe continues by claiming to Hashem if Bnei Yisroel didn't listen to me, then how can You expect me to go to Paroah and have him listen to my message when I have a speech impediment?

The Beer Mayim Chayim, questions the reasoning behind Moshe's claim. The reason he says Bnei Yisroel didn't listen is because they were overburdened by work, whereas Paroah was sitting comfortably in his palace, so according to this reasoning Paroah should be willing to listen. Moshe's claim doesn't seem logical.

He explains that Moshe was saying to Hashem was if Bnei Yisroel, who were overburden with work, would have overcome their oppression and their nature and nevertheless would have listened to me, then there would have been a big merit, which would make Paroah listen to me even though I have a speech impediment. If Bnei Yisroel would have reached beyond their nature then Hashem would have helped them accordingly with supernatural means.

This is a lesson we can take to heart. Although we all do wonderful things and help people, do we only do them when it is convenient for us, when it fits with our nature and how we feel? We might be nice to people, but what if that person insulted us, or we are just having a bad day? In these case our nature says "No reason to be nice" "He deserves what I am going to say to him" etc. If we can strengthen ourselves and overcome our nature then G-d as well, when He deals with us, will treat us in a way that transcends nature. We might not witness open miracles but we have all seen some kind of "supernatural" success in one aspect of our lives or another. That success is due to Divine Assistance and through transcending our nature may we merit many more successes.

Shabbat Shalom,

Heath