Marriage and the Parsha

Beshalach
(Exodus 13:17-17:16)

(For the Chosen)
Rabbi Yirmiyahu Benyowitz
In this week's portion, the Jews are redeemed from Egyptian bondage in a mighty show of ten Makkos (Plagues). They leave at the insistence of Pharoah and his Egyptian cohorts only to be chased nearly into the Yam Suf (the Red Sea). A great miracle occurs and the sea splits and allows them to enter. The Mitzrim continue in hot pursuit only to be miraculously drowned as the sea wall, which had been created only moments earlier, crashes down upon them. In next week's portion, the Jews receive the Torah in a most spectacular way - able to see the sounds that emanate from Mount Sinai.

In subsequent portions, the Jewish People are saved many times in their forty-year sojourn from their enemies. Notably, it is not their military mighty that wins any
wars, but divine intervention. They have food, in the form of Mann (manna), that appears at their doorstep every day.

We are commanded to remember the Exodus every day. The Exodus is mentioned in the Shema prayer we say every morning and every night. There are many events of that era that are commemorated or celebrated in one way or another. Still, this is the only event for which the Jews were commanded to make a constant reminder that is to remain with them twenty-four-seven. This is because this first event was the catalyst for all the subsequent events.

Similarly, the Torah tells us (16:33) that Moshe and Aharon are commanded to take a container and place Mann in the container. This container is to remain "In front of Hashem" (in front of the Ark of the Covenant) forever. Indeed, the container remains with them until the destruction of the Bais Hamikdash (the Holy Temple) at which time it is placed in indefinite hiding along with many of the holy vessels.

Why is this miracle chosen to be represented with a constant reminder? The Iben Ezra, I believe, gives us an insight into the answer. When the Torah tells us about the miracle of the Mann (16:35), he explains that this is the greatest of all the miracles of the forty years the Jews spent in the wilderness because many miracles were contained in it and because it stood by them for forty years. It is this second reason that distinguishes it from all the miracles of the entire era.

There are many events in a person's life which all come together to make him who he or she is. There are many people who are responsible in part for bringing about the miracle of finding a Shidduch (a match). All of these people deserve to be recognized and thanked. There are people who while they may not have done any single remarkable act in the formation of this Shidduch, they are nonetheless the ones who deserve the most
recognition and the greatest thanks. They are the ones that took care of me day in and day out every single day.

Thank you very much Daddy and Mommy!

Copyright 2001 Rabbi Yirmiyahu Benyowitz and MyJewishWedding.com