CHEVII ET CHEMINI CHEL PESSAH
La Chira de Moché et la traversée de la mer rouge
Les 2 derniers jours de la fête
Allumage des bougies : 7 :21 pm ce soir
La fête se termine le jeudi à 8 :30 pm
Le président Macron vient d’annoncer le confinement jusqu’au 11 mai pour un possible début de déconfinement à partir de cette date.
Cette année, Lag Baomer , la Hilloula de Rabbi Chimon Bar Yohay qui marquait la fin d’une épidémie qui a frappé 24,000 de ses élèves, tombe Lundi soir le 11 mai 2020
Un hazard ? Une coincidence ? Espérons le
UN WEBSITE INTERESSANT SUR LES JUIFS DU LIBAN
There is a section with tunes for each holiday
There is also a section on the history of each community, and on the Lebanese rabbis.
Maghen Abraham before and after, École de l’Alliance, fêtes ,Synagogues cimetières etc…
Very interesting website
https://caerez-balevanon.site123.me/
The story of Miriam and the Shevii shel Pessah
Shevii Shel Pessah If you were leaving home for a long time (perhaps never to return again) what would you make sure to bring with you? , I’m pretty sure ha young man would make sure to bring a ball so he could play sports wherever he would go, and perhaps a Wii game system- i. There is a Midrash in this morning’s Torah reading that highlights what Moshe made sure to take with him compared to what the Jewish People took with them. Moshe was busy locating and extracting the bones of Joseph (and his brothers) to fulfill the promise made to Joseph before he died, that his body would ultimately be brought out of Egypt buried in the Land of Israel upon the people’s arrival. And while Moshe was busy with the bones of Joseph, the rest of the nation was busy extracting the spoils of Egypt- gold and silver and valuables- in fulfillment of the promise God made to Avraham at the Brit Bein Habetarim. There was another Biblical character who took something out with her from Egypt, that gets less attention yet teaches us an important lesson. Miriam, the prophetess, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women came out after her with tambourine and with dances. : It is Miriam who leaves us with our final image of the events at the Yam Suf. She gets the final word- what is her scene meant to teach us? Another question: Where did these women get their tambourines? Rashi was bothered by this question and quotes a Rabbinic teaching: with tambourines and with dances: The righteous women of that generation were [so] certain that the Holy One, blessed be He, would perform miracles for them, they took timbrels out of Egypt. — We know from the Seder that the Jews were in a rush as they left Egypt. They did not even have time to allow their dough to rise. But they did have time to grab items that were important or had special significance. Miriam: finds the time to make/ take tambourines, and to encourage all the other women to take tambourines with them on their way out of Egypt. Because Miriam was confident that the People would be OK and that God would perform miracles on their behalf. 2 Moshe took with him the bones of Joseph. He left Egypt committed to preserving the past history of our people. Miriam left Egypt looking forward, confident of a brighter future, so she took with her the musical accompaniments necessary to celebrate with optimism.) According to Chazal, Miriam’s name may be related to the word Mar, bitter, because she was born during the most intense period of Jewish slavery. Yet her name is also related to the word for “rebel” (Morim). She rebelled against the pessimism and hopelessness that was rampant among the Jewish nation during the darkest periods of Egyptian slavery. From an early age, Miriam consistently demonstrated optimism and encouraged others to be optimistic. There are two types of optimism: One type of optimism is the confidence/ firm belief that things will work out the way one hopes. This is the optimism Miriam demonstrated as a young girl, convincing her parents to reunite and have another child even as Pharoh had decreed death for all Jewish boys. This is the optimism demonstrated by Miriam the big sister, hiding in the bulrushes when her baby brother Moshe is sent down the Nile in a basket. The Torah says that His sister stood from afar, to know what would be done to him. Miriam was sure that the boy would be OK. She stood there to see what her role might be in the salvation of this boy that she was certain would occur. Miriam demonstrates as the daughter who convinces her parents to reunite and have another child, even though she does not know what might happen should a child be born. All she knew was that we Jews must remain optimistic and help the Eyptians by giving up hope. This is also the optimism displayed by Miriam the midwife. According to the Midrash, she’s Puah; she saves the male children on the birthing stone, even though there was no way to protect these children forever. However it would work out in the end, she was committed to doing what was right and her part in saving Jewish children. Miriam’s ability to persevere with optimism, and to stand up for what was right is a trait that she not only possessed herself, but was able to inculcate into the next generation, especially her son- Hur who is better known to us as the Grandfather of Betzalel, the Chief Architect of the Mishkan. But Rashi notes that Hur was Miriam’s son, . All we know about Hur from the Torah is that he helped Aharon keep Moshe’s arms up during the Jews’ first battle after leaving Egypt, against Amalek..Hur was also a martyr. Rashi quotes the Midrash that Aharon was convinced to help the people create the golden calf because he saw how they had murdered Hur who tried to stop them. Where did Hur get the resolve to stand up to the entire nation, to fight for what was right even if he was not sure he would be successful? From his mother Miriam. It didn’t work out well for Hur, but this attribute gets passed down to Hur’s grandson Betzalel, Miriam’s great-grandson, who channels this optimism and perseverance into building the Mishkan even though he has no experience or training to do so. Miriam is often overlooked, among her siblings and the rest of the story of Yetziat Mitzrayim. According to Rashi she is referred to this morning as Achot Aharon as a reminder that she was a prophetess yet back before Moshe was born and she was only Aharon’s brother. In the Midbar, The Jews were sustained by a miraculous spring that followed them throughout all of their travels. This spring is referred to by Chazal as Be’er Miriam. It was in Miriam’s merit that water was supplied to them. It was only after her passing, when the well dried up, that the people begin to appreciate Miriam’s greatness and what she had contributed to Bnai Yisrael. Today, on Shevii Shel Pesach, let us not forget about Miriam. Let us seize this opportunity to pay tribute to her. Her decision to bring tambourines with her as she left Egypt is indicative of an attitude of optimism that we must learn from and utilize in our own
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La traversée de la Mer Rouge
5. La sortie d'Egypte
La route réellement la plus courte des enfants d'Israël pour aller vers la Terre Promise aurait été de passer à travers le pays des Philistins. Cependant, D.ieu désirait donner à la nation juive nouvellement née l'occasion de rejeter les restes de l'influence égyptienne, et de se former dans les nouveaux chemins d'une vie sainte, par le moyen de la divine Torah, qui devait leur être donnée sur le mont Sinaï. D'ailleurs, le chemin le plus court vers la Terre Sainte, s'ils l'avaient pris, aurait entraîné le peuple dans une guerre avec les Philistins, et on pouvait douter si les enfants d'Israël qui venaient juste de sortir de siècles d'un esclavage continuel, seraient " assez forts pour se battre contre les hommes libres ; il se pourrait qu'ils décident de retourner en Égypte plutôt que de faire face à une guerre sanglante. C'est pourquoi D.ieu conduisit le peuple juif par un chemin de détour qui le mena à travers le désert jusqu'à la Mer Rouge.
Après trois jours, Pharaon fut averti de la marche des enfants d'Israël. La direction inattendue de leur route lui fit penser qu'ils étaient en train de se perdre dans le désert. Pharaon regretta alors de leur avoir permis de s'en aller.
Il mobilisa par conséquent son armée, et prit personnellement la tête de sa cavalerie d'élite et des chars de guerre, pour poursuivre ardemment ses anciens esclaves. Ils les atteignirent près du bord de la Mer Rouge et les poussèrent tout près de l'eau, s'efforçant d'arrêter leur fuite.
Une partie du peuple juif était prête à combattre les Égyptiens ; d'autres préféraient se noyer dans les flots de la mer plutôt que de risquer d'être battus et de devoir retourner en esclavage. Un troisième groupe de gens effrayés et faibles commencèrent à se plaindre contre Moïse, craignant qu'il ne les ait leurrés en les faisant sortir d'Égypte, où ils étaient en sécurité, pour les faire mourir dans le désert. « Est-ce faute de trouver des sépulcres en Égypte », s'exclamaient-t-ils, « que tu nous as conduits mourir dans le désert ? Pourquoi nous as-tu fait cela, de nous faire sortir d'Égypte ? N'est-ce pas ainsi que nous te parlions en Égypte, disant : « Laisse-nous tranquilles, que nous puissions servir les Égyptiens. Car nous préférons servir les Égyptiens que de mourir dans le désert. » Mais Moïse, calme et ferme dans un des, moments les plus critiques de son existence, dit : « Soyez sans crainte, restez silencieux, et voyez le salut du Seigneur, qu'il accomplira pour vous en ce jour : car si vous avez vu les Egyptiens en ce jour, vous ne les reverrez plus jamais. Le Seigneur combattra pour vous, et vous, tenez-vous tranquilles. »
Moïse fit avancer les Israélites jusqu'à ce qu'ils parviennent tout au bord de la Mer Rouge. La colonne de nuées changea alors de place ; car, reculant du front vers l'arrière de la foule des Hébreux, elle, se mit à planer entre les deux armées.
Alors, D.ieu s'adressa à Moïse : « Lève ton bâton, étends ta main vers la mer, et divise-la ; et les enfants d'Israël entreront dans la mer à pied sec. » Moïse fit ce que D.ieu lui ordonnait. Il leva son bâton et étendit sa main sur la mer ; un violent vent d'est se leva et souffla toute la nuit. Par cette tempête les eaux de la Mer Rouge furent divisées et se rassemblèrent en muraille de chaque côté, laissant un passage sec au milieu. Les Israélites marchèrent le long de ce chemin sec et sortirent sains et saufs bien loin de leurs poursuivants.
Les Égyptiens continuèrent leur poursuite, sans hésitation, dans la même voie. Mais les roues de leurs chars s'embourbèrent dans le lit de la mer, et glissèrent. Ils se trouvèrent incapables d'avancer ; et ils sentirent qu'une fois de plus ils avaient combattu en vain contre le Seigneur. Ils se détournèrent pour fuir, mais c'était trop tard ; car sur l'ordre de D.ieu, Moïse étendit son bâton, et les eaux reprirent leur cours habituel, se refermant sur les chars et les chevaux et les guerriers, sur toute l'armée de Pharaon. « Pas un d'entre eux ne subsista ».
Ainsi, D.ieu sauva les enfants d'Israël des Égyptiens en ce jour. Israël vit Sa grande puissance ; ils reconnurent D.ieu et crurent en Lui et en Son serviteur Moïse.
Alors, Moïse et toute la communauté chantèrent ce Chant
(Az yachir Moché)
Je chanterai le Seigneur car il est souverainement élevé;
Coursier et cavalier, Il les a lancés dans la mer.
2. Le Seigneur est ma force et mon chant,
Et il est devenu mon salut ;
Voilà mon D.ieu, et je le glorifierai ;
Le D.ieu de mon père, et je l'exalterai.
3. Le Seigneur est seigneur de guerre,
Le Seigneur est Son nom.
4. Les chars de Pharaon et son armée,
Il les a précipités dans la mer,
Et l'élite de ses capitaines se sont noyés dans la Mer Rouge.
5. L'abîme s'est fermé sur eux, ils sont tombés au fond du gouffre comme une pierre.
6. Ta droite, Seigneur, est glorieuse par la puissance,
Ta droite, Seigneur, écrase l'ennemi.
7. Et dans la grandeur de Ta majesté, Tu renverses ceux qui se sont dressés contre Toi ;
Tu déchaînes Ton courroux : il les consume comme du chaume.
8. Et au souffle de Tes narines les eaux s'amoncelèrent.
Les flots se dressèrent comme une digue ;
Les ondes se figèrent au sein de la mer.
9. L'ennemi disait :
« Je poursuivrai, j'atteindrai, je partagerai le butin.
Mon désir sera satisfait ; Je tirerai mon épée, ma main les exterminera. »
10. Tu as soufflé Ton vent, la mer les a engloutis.
Ils ont sombré comme du plomb au sein des eaux puissantes.
11. Qui est comme Toi, Seigneur parmi les puissants ?
Qui est comme Toi, paré de sainteté, Redoutable en louanges, faisant des merveilles ?
12. Tu as étendu Ta droite, la terre les a dévorés.
13. Tu as dans ton amour conduit le peuple que Tu as affranchi;
Tu l'as dirigé par Ta puissance vers Ta sainte demeure.
14. Les peuples l'ont entendu, ils tremblent ;
Un frisson s'empare des habitants de la Philistée.
15. Alors tremblèrent les chefs d'Edom ;
Les vaillants de Moab, un tremblement les saisit ;
Tous les habitants de Canaan sont consternés.
16. L'épouvante et la terreur s'emparent d'eux ;
La majesté de Ton bras les rend immobiles comme la pierre ;
Jusqu'à ce qu'ait passé Ton peuple, Seigneur,
Jusqu'à ce qu'ait passé le peuple que Tu as acquis.
17. Tu les emmènes et les installes sur la montagne de ton héritage.
L'endroit, Seigneur, que tu as fait pour y demeurer,
Le sanctuaire, Seigneur, que Tes mains ont établi.
18. Le Seigneur régnera à tout jamais.
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Aussitôt le dernier mot du Chant terminé, Miriam saisit son tambourin, et suivie d'une multitude de femmes et de jeunes filles, partit en avant en procession, dansant et chantant, « Chantez le Seigneur, car Il est souverainement élevé ; coursier et cavalier Il les a lancés dans la mer. »
Parasha Summary 7th day Exodus 13:17-15:26
Today’s reading starts with the Exodus from Egypt. Moshe takes Yosef’s bones out of Egypt. Hashem leads the way in the form of a pillar of cloud in the day and a pillar of fire at night. Pharaoh heard of how Bnei Yisrael were traveling, and he changed his mind. He decided to chase after them and bring them back. Bnei Yisrael saw the Egyptian army approaching and they panicked. They cried out to Moshe in fear. Moshe reassured them that Hashem will fight for them and they need not worry. Hashem tells Moshe to stretch out his hand and he will split the sea for Bnei Yisrael. They go through the sea. The Egyptians pursue them but while they are in the dry sea, Hashem lets the water back and all the Egyptians drown. Moshe and Bnei Yisrael sing a song of praise to Hashem. Moshe’s sister, Miriam, takes the women and they sing and dance too. Bnei Yisrael arrived at Marah, where they were tested by Hashem. The waters were bitter and there was no fresh water for them to drink. They complain for water and Hashem shows Moshe a tree. He tells Moshe to cut the tree and throw it into the water. Moshe does so, and the bitter waters are sweetened. Hashem gave them laws and told them if they obey his commandments, all will be good for them and he will not bring upon them the diseases he brought upon the Egyptians “because I am Hashem, your healer.”
Haftara Summary 7th day Shemuel 22:1-51
The Haftara is the song of David (II Shemuel 22:1-51. Note that this chapter is almost identical to Tehillim 18). It is a song of praise to Hashem by King David for saving him from Shaul and his enemies. This is similar to the Torah reading, which is a song of praise to Hashem by Moshe (and the people) for saving them from the Egyptians. In the Haftara David describes the many wonders and awesome powers of Hashem in saving him. A key verse is in the middle where David mentions that the reason he was protected by Hashem was because he followed Hashem’s ways and commandments. By doing so he merited Hashem’s protection, also known as His Divine Providence or in Hebrew Hashgacha. Note that this word does not indicate that God Meddles in people’s lives and controls them. Just as a mashgiach in a restaurant simply looks on and supervises, and allows everything to happen, so too Hashem’s hashgacha. The last verse should be familiar to anyone who eats bread because it is recited toward the end of Birkat Hamazon. The first word of the verse is written Magdil but we pronounce it (when reading from the bible) Migdol. In Birkat Hamazon we read it as it is written normally but as Migdol when recited on a day that has Mussaf. There are several theories on why we do this, but no one knows for sure.
Parasha Summary 8th day Deut. 14:22-16:17
The reading continues with the law to set aside the first born of certain animals. Next is another description of the three holidays. We are told to sacrifice the Passover lamb only in “the designated place”. We are also told of Shavuot and Sukkot. We are commanded to be happy on all three holidays and to remember that we were once slaves in Egypt and Hashem redeemed us. We are also commanded to take special care to help the less fortunate enjoy the holiday also. The less fortunate include: the servant and maidservant, the Levi, the stranger, the orphan and the widow.
Haftara Summary 8th day Isaiah 10:32-12:6
The Haftara for the “extra” day of Passover in the Diaspora, is Yeshayahu 10:32-12:6. It describes the days of the Messiah. The Haftara begins with a description of the mighty falling. Allegorically, even the mighty cedars of Lebanon shall fall and then a small sprout shall grow from the seed of David. This will be the Messiah who will redeem the land, gather all Jews for all over the world and return them to their homeland. We also read the interesting and controversial passage about the disposition of the earth during those days. The prophet describes how people and animals both wild beasts and tame animals shall all dwell together in peace. Some commentators understand this literally while others argue that this is allegorical and only describing how the different nations shall live at peace, but that there will be no change in nature during that time. The Haftara concludes with a praise of Hashem and a description of how Bnei Yisrael will praise and thank Hashem at the final redemption. We pray that this redemption takes place soon, and we hope it happens this Nissan the month of redemption.
Passover last days Torah reading Quiz
1) Q. Why is the 7th day of Pesah different than all other days?
A. The 7th day of Pesah is a special day in the holiday because traditionally, it is the day of the splitting of the sea and the completion of the Exodus from Egypt. They left Egypt on the first day of Pesach (15th Nissan). After three days they were supposed to return to Egypt. On the fourth day Pharaoh’s servants told him that they ran away and did not return. They chased after them on the fifth and sixth days, and the sea split on the seventh day of Pesach at daybreak. (This is why we wake up early on the seventh day of Pesah and have a special reading of the beautiful poetry in our Bible, in honor of the day.) When the sea closed, drowning the Egyptians, the Exodus which began on the first day of Pesah was complete and the threat of the Egyptians was finally gone. It is at this point that the people have a real belief in God and Moshe.
2) Q. How often do we read the portion for the 8th day of Passover?
A. The portion read today is the same portion that is read on the last day of Sukkot (Shemini Atzeret) and Shavuot. It is not read in Israel on the holidays, as we only read it on the “added” day of the holiday outside of Israel.
3) Q. What does it mean that Bnei Yisrael left Egypt “Hamushim”?
A. According to Onkelos the P’shat (basic interpretation) is that they left fully armed with weapons. According to the Midrash, Hamushim means one-fifth. Only One-fifth of Bnei Yisrael left Egypt and the other four-fifth died during the plague of darkness.
4) Q. If all the Egyptians’ animals died during the plagues, where did they get horses for their chariots to chase after Bnei Yisrael?
A. From those Egyptians who feared the word of Hashem and kept their animals inside during the plagues.
5) Q. Why did “fear seize the inhabitants of Pelashet”? (15:14)
A. The Midrash teaches us that Efraim escaped from Egypt, before the time for the exodus had come. The inhabitants of Pelashet fought them and won. Therefore, they feared vengeance for this act.
6) Q. Which laws did the Jewish People receive at Marah?
A. The Midrash teaches that three laws were given to the people at Marah: Shabbat, Red Heifer, and Judicial Laws. Other commentaries disagree, and state they simply received the concept of laws in general.
7) Q. Which miracle was greater, ‘splitting of the sea’ or the Mann?
A. According to Ibn Ezra, the miracle of Mann was far greater than any of the other miracles that occurred, even the splitting of the sea since it remained with the Jewish People without fail for 40 years while the others were ‘one-time’ events.
8) Q. What was Moshe’s reward for taking the bones of Yosef with him out of Egypt?
A. Moshe was the greatest man in Bnei Yisrael, and according to the midrash he personally took out Yosef’s bones. Hashem rewarded him Mida K’neged Mida - measure for measure. When Moshe died, the greatest person should have taken care of his body, but since there was no one greater than him, Hashem took care of Moshe’s body.
