Yahrtzeit Yomi #1330!!
כז טבת
Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch
רב שמשון ב״ר רפאל הירש
(1808 - 1888)
Dvar Torah on פרשת וארא from Rabbiner Hirsch!!
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The following edition of Yahrtzeit Yomi featuring Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch ZTL is sponsored לזכר נשמת:
משה בן החכם רבי חייא ז״ל ממשפחת אריה
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Shalom u’Vracha Rabboisai!!
The text below and the first part of the audio present a classic and timeless message from Rav Hirsch ZTL, which introduces Sefer Shemos.
👆🏻👆🏻👆🏻
The second part of the audio is a presentation of one of the fundamental ideals which Rav Hirsch had espoused and practiced throughout his fruitful and devoted life.
👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
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Today, 27 Teves, marks the 137th Yahrtzeit of Rav Shamshon Raphael Hirsch ZTL.
(1808 - 1888)
Our Rebbi, the Blurigeh Rav Shlita, refers to Rav Hirsch as his “Rebbi in Seforim”.
Rav Hirsch ZTL has been aptly labeled the “Architect of Torah Judaism for the Modern World”. Espousing the “weltenshuang” of תורה עם דרך ארץ, he fiercely battled the winds of the reform movement, which was sweeping through Western Europe at an alarming rate. He hated haskalah. He was a prolific writer and speaker. He loved the alps. Blah blah blah blah blah blah….
😴😴😴.
(sorry, I fell asleep)
Rabboisai, I could spend the precious space I was allotted to describe the incredible accomplishments and impact of Oberrabbiner Hirsch zl, but I don’t see much benefit in doing so (other than to impress you with my casual offhand use of German terms like Verband der orthodoxen Rabbiner Deutschlands, and Freie Vereinigung für die Interessen des Orthodoxen Judentums. Anyways, it sounds much better in the audio than it looks on paper.)
(In fact, Rav Hirsch himself seems to have considered the study of history and past events as pointless and a waste of precious time; refer to Collected Writings VII, p. 440: “One must examine whether the study of history and of past events is necessary or even useful for men and nations whose present life is completely taken up with vigorous and active devotion to their duty. Only generations in the state of decline feel they must look back to the past in order to be uplifted by the example of long departed heroes.....”
In other words, he would have disapproved of the phenomenally popular Yahrtzeit Yomi broadcast. Oh boy, this is awkward.)
🥴🥴🥴
Instead, Rabboisai, let’s learn an absolutely stunning and timeless piece which Rav Hirsch writes in his comments at the very end of Parshas Shemos, which really sets the stage for the world-altering events of yetzias mitzrayim.
The pesukim at the end of parshas shemos record a very cryptic conversation:
וַיָּ֧שׇׁב מֹשֶׁ֛ה אֶל־ה׳ וַיֹּאמַ֑ר ה׳ לָמָ֤ה הֲרֵעֹ֙תָה֙ לָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֔ה לָ֥מָּה זֶּ֖ה שְׁלַחְתָּֽנִי:
וּמֵאָ֞ז בָּ֤אתִי אֶל־פַּרְעֹה֙ לְדַבֵּ֣ר בִּשְׁמֶ֔ךָ הֵרַ֖ע לָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֑ה וְהַצֵּ֥ל
לֹא־הִצַּ֖לְתָּ אֶת־עַמֶּֽךָ
(שמות ה:כב,כג)
Moshe Rabbeinu complains to Hashem that his presence in Egypt not only didn’t improve the situation, but actually made things far worse.
Hashem replies:
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר ה׳ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה עַתָּ֣ה תִרְאֶ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֖ה לְפַרְעֹ֑ה וכו׳:
“Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh” etc.
Anyone reading this exchange should be bothered by the simple question: How did Hashem answer Moshe’s question? All Hashem said was “OK, now you’ll see what I will do to Pharaoh”. But why, takeh, did Hashem send Moshe to Pharaoh, if his appearance accomplished nothing, and even made matters worse?? What was the purpose??
Zakt der groiseh Oberrabiner mamish vhunderbar!! (uhn das dahrf mehn leghen in kop arayn!!):
That’s exactly the point!
עַתָּ֣ה תִרְאֶ֔ה -
NOW you will see!!
The utter failure of Moshe’s efforts in beseeching Pharoah WAS THE FIRST NECESSARY STEP OF THE REDEMPTION!!
[see WhatsApp group for remainder]
