Shemot
A famous dialogue in this week's Parsha has Moshe questioning G‑d, and asking for the specifics of His name.
A few verses later, it is G‑d's turn to ask a question, "What is in your hand?" G‑d says to Moshe. Moshe responds that he is holding his stick. Upon G‑d's prompting, he throws it to the ground, only to watch it turn into a snake.
While Moshe's question may strike us as peculiar, G‑d's question is completely not understood. Why would G‑d ever need to ask a question? Wasn't he anyway aware of what Moshe was holding?
The Tzror Hamor *explains that these two questions are fundamentally linked, as G‑d was answering Moshe's question with one of His own.
Moshe, asking G‑d about his name, was an attempt to understand the depths and secrets of G‑d.
To this G‑d responds by asking Moshe about his stick, "What are you holding?"
What G‑d is telling Moshe, says the Tzror Hamor, is the following: If even a simple creation, something that I created may not always truly be as it appears, obviously a human mind cannot understand My Essence.
This is the link between the two questions, and what seems like an obvious question, contains a deep message for all of us.
Shabbat Shalom!
Portuguese Jewish history is a rich tapestry of accomplishment and challenge spanning the centuries. Portugal's shores have produced and housed some of our greatest Rabbis and leaders. From statesman, leader and scholar Rabbi Don Yitzchak Abarbanel to Shulchan Aruch author Rabbi Yosef Karo in the 15th century through to the Lubavitcher Rebbe's time in Lisbon in 1941, Portugal has enabled tremendous developments in strengthening community and Torah.
It is in recognition of the timeless nature of these commitments, and in honor of all of those Jews who have called Portugal home through times of brilliance and darkness, that these Torah insight's from Portugal's great Rabbis is produced - here in Portugal.
Special thanks this week to a guest translator.