A thought on פרשת מקץ
"...k'chu mi'zimras ha'aretz...""...take some of the land's glory..." (43:11)
Yakov instructed his sons to bring gifts with them upon their return to Egypt. He advised that they take some of the treasured produce of the land.
The interesting word here is "zimra." This word shows up in a number of forms throughout the Torah and TaNaCh and can refer to a branch or vine, an animal, or a song. It is unlikely that Yakov suggested that they take an animal, in that the zemer (which some believe is a giraffe) is neither kosher nor native to Israel. It is also unlikely that he was recommending that his sons bring down some popular tunes and try to impress the Egyptians with Israeli music. It is more probable that he referred to some form of produce which branches from one or another tree. On the other hand, why the choice of words, given that zimra can be understood so ambiguously?The Ralbag sees in this verse an important lesson, which he classifies as a "to'el'es b'midos" - a values lesson. The gift which Yakov sent to appease the viceroy was produce. However, he referred to it with the more ambiguous term zimra precisely because it can also mean "a song." The song which Yakov had in mind was a prayer to HaShem, which is also a form of song. He was modeling to his sons that when faced with challenge, one must always make an effort, hishtadlus. The effort was in sending a formal gift. However, a mortal effort in isolation is meaningless. Every effort must be accompanied by a spiritual effort as well. This was the necessity of turning to HaShem with prayers that they succeed in appeasing the viceroy who had threatened them. Yakov instructed his sons to bring a gift but to pray, meanwhile, to HaShem that all turn out well.
To face a challenge with effort alone would be useless. Yet, says the Ralbag, to respond to a real threat with prayer alone, without demonstrating that we are meanwhile trying our best, can also be careless. Not everyone has the greatness and merit to rely on his or her tefilla alone. Of course, no one has the right to rely on their own ingenuity either.
We make our effort, with eyes and souls turned heavenward, understanding that it is not our effort which is the decisive factor, but rather that HaShem alone will determine our fate. We parallel our spiritual striving above with our motions below, as the Recanati taught us so many times last year.
Wishing you a good Shabbos. With HaShem's help, I will be singing my song the next few weeks in Jerusalem.
D. Fox
Yakov instructed his sons to bring gifts with them upon their return to Egypt. He advised that they take some of the treasured produce of the land.
The interesting word here is "zimra." This word shows up in a number of forms throughout the Torah and TaNaCh and can refer to a branch or vine, an animal, or a song. It is unlikely that Yakov suggested that they take an animal, in that the zemer (which some believe is a giraffe) is neither kosher nor native to Israel. It is also unlikely that he was recommending that his sons bring down some popular tunes and try to impress the Egyptians with Israeli music. It is more probable that he referred to some form of produce which branches from one or another tree. On the other hand, why the choice of words, given that zimra can be understood so ambiguously?The Ralbag sees in this verse an important lesson, which he classifies as a "to'el'es b'midos" - a values lesson. The gift which Yakov sent to appease the viceroy was produce. However, he referred to it with the more ambiguous term zimra precisely because it can also mean "a song." The song which Yakov had in mind was a prayer to HaShem, which is also a form of song. He was modeling to his sons that when faced with challenge, one must always make an effort, hishtadlus. The effort was in sending a formal gift. However, a mortal effort in isolation is meaningless. Every effort must be accompanied by a spiritual effort as well. This was the necessity of turning to HaShem with prayers that they succeed in appeasing the viceroy who had threatened them. Yakov instructed his sons to bring a gift but to pray, meanwhile, to HaShem that all turn out well.
To face a challenge with effort alone would be useless. Yet, says the Ralbag, to respond to a real threat with prayer alone, without demonstrating that we are meanwhile trying our best, can also be careless. Not everyone has the greatness and merit to rely on his or her tefilla alone. Of course, no one has the right to rely on their own ingenuity either.
We make our effort, with eyes and souls turned heavenward, understanding that it is not our effort which is the decisive factor, but rather that HaShem alone will determine our fate. We parallel our spiritual striving above with our motions below, as the Recanati taught us so many times last year.
Wishing you a good Shabbos. With HaShem's help, I will be singing my song the next few weeks in Jerusalem.
D. Fox
posted by Rabbi Dr. Fox at 9:01 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home