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VAYAQHEL-PEQUDEI 5783

03/17/2023 02:04:27 PM

Mar17

Dear mitpallelim,

The Zilbert brothers David and Marc observe yahrzeit for their father Aharon ben Nisan, on the 27th of Adar.

I observe for my wife Sarah Devorah bat Yehoshua on the 2nd of Nisan.

May their memories be for a blessing.

******

I have often noticed the similarity between the beginning and end of a weekly parasha, This is what literary scholars call an “inclusio.” Yet, the other day, I noticed something interesting about the entire Book of Exodus.

The book began by listing the names of the “Children of Israel:” Reuven, Shimon, Levi, etc. And now, as we conclude the reading of Sefer Shemot, the last verse reads “kol beit Yisrael,” the entire house of Israel. We have coalesced from individual tribes to a whole nation.  Our success as a nation is when we are unified.

As we read about the bitterness that, in the last few weeks, has divided the Jewish inhabitants of the modern State of Israel, we must pray that they can reach a unifying compromise, as we approach the 75th anniversary of the miraculous founding of the State. 

And, speaking of the conclusion of the Book of Shemot, it has been noted that there are a total of 164 “parashiyot,” i.e., paragraphs, in the Book. Although I am not a numerologist, how can we not mention the masoretic note that the numerical value of the word “yis`adeka,” meaning “God will support you” is 164, as in the verse in Psalms 20:3 “u-mitsiyon yis`adeka.” In other words, the Psalmist is saying that our support comes from Zion, Jerusalem. Indeed, our inspiration comes from Israel: a strong, unified Israel is for our benefit also.

To clarify the gematria: yod = 10; samekh =60; `ayin = 70; dalet = 4; kaf = 20.  total = 164

Shabbat shalom

Rabbi Menahem White

Thu, March 28 2024 18 Adar II 5784