Friday January 10,1997                                      Erev Shabbat
Shvat 2, 5757

Va'aira (Exodus 6:2-9:35)

Something to think about:

	Every time we begin this portion of the Torah, I feel like
it's Passover. 

	 Seven of the ten plagues come crashing down upon our oppressors
and the stage is set for the redemption from our Egyptian slavery (in next
week's reading).  The story picks up when we, still suffering, seem unsure
of our outcome.  Moshe (Moses) presses G-d.  Hashem's (G-d's) response
contains the phrase, "And I appeared to Abraham, and to Isaac and to
Jacob"  These redundancies, which are more noticeable in the Hebrew, seem
extra [how's that for being redundant!].  The Torah which is concise could
have easily written, "And I appeared to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob". 
	
	The biblical commentator, Rashi (12th century), usually clarifies
words or concepts in the text, comments on the aforementioned phrase, "to
the Patriarchs".  We know that Abraham et al. are the forefathers! 

	One idea that answers both of these questions is offered by
R"Meir Primishlaner.  A patriarch is someone who establishes something of
significance:  Not just a follower.  In the Torah's phrase we are being
taught that Isaac was not merely Abraham's son.  Jacob was not only
Isaac's son.  They didn't rely on their parents' merits.  Each one was
also an independent pillar and founder of our people.  Each one had a
unique relationship and dialogue with Hashem.  Rashi is hinting to the
same concept. 
 
	Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; each was a forefather not only our
ancestor. 
	
	The story is told of a student who came to see Rabbi Chaim of
Szanz.  "Who are you? asked the R"Chaim.  "I am the grandson of Rabbi
** and the great grandson of the Holy **." answered the student.  "I
didn't ask, who were your ancestors, I asked, who are you." The ability
of having a unique and individual sense of spirituality is something
ingrained in our soul since our people's inception.  Use it or lose it! 


Good Shabbos!!                             Rabbi  Hirsh Michel Chinn