This weeks Torah Portion Exodus 13:17- 17:16 Beshalach, let the people go.
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Exodus 13:17 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people (Hebrews) go, that G-d led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for G-d said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: 18 But G-d led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt. 19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, G-d will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you. 20 And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. 21 And the L-RD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: 22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before
the people.
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It is important to keep in mind that all scripture was written first in the Holy Tongue, by Hebrew writers as they were prompted to do so by G-d’s direction.
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Keep in mind also that all scripture is written by Hebrews for Hebrews and converts as such. Please bear in mind that the word Jew does not appear anywhere in the Torah. It is first seen in the book of Esther.
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Esther 2:5 Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;
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The word Jew comes into use after the Babylonian captivity ends. Abraham is called a Jew in retrospect in Rabbinic sources. In the time when Yehoshuha was on earth his disciples were in the broad sense also called Jews.
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As the Exodus was taking place but before it was completed, it is clear from the scripture that G-d had a concern that the Hebrews might decide to return to Egypt afraid of what new experiences they might face.
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For this reason G-d lead the Hebrews the longer way out of Egypt. After the Passover from Egypt every individual had a choice to make. Either they had to overcome the evil inclination, which would make them doubt their deliverance and cause fear to overtake them or except G-d’s deliverance as it was given to them. Within every individual there is a constant war between good and evil, between the good and evil inclination.
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Before the Hebrews approached the wall of water that was about to test their faith, G-d needed to insure that after they completed their walk in the sea, that was parted for them as the water is when a repented sinner is immersed for the remission of their sins, and is then able to walk on dry land. G-d gave them a token in the form of Tefillin so they could recall what had happened and remember that it was G-d that delivered them.
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Tefillin (Phylacteries as they are called in Greek) are worn to be a daily reminder. The Passover Seder is a yearly reminder.
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The fear that gripped them as they approached the wall of water was in part caused because the Hebrews forgot that Abraham the Hebrew had to cross over to the other side of the water after G-d called him to leave his father house of idols. Crossing the water to the other side is the same action required by every Hebrew who makes the choice to follow in the footsteps of Abraham and Yehoshuha.
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Tefillin bind the body and soul to the creator.
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Within Tefillin and the Mezuzah there are small parchments on which are written these scriptures: Deuteronomy 6:8, Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:13-21; Exodus 13:1-10; 11-16.
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Deuteronomy 6:9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
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This item, which would contain the same scriptures that are fastened on the arm and placed on the forehead are called Shel Rosh and Shel Yad that are within Tefillin are also fastened on the door of every house, which is called a Mezuzah. A Mezuzah guarantees that there are no idols in the house.
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The fear factor keeps many from a total identity with G-d as Hebrews to this very day. However, when an individual obeys the scripture and repents and crosses to the other side of the water as Abraham did, their experience frees them from any doubt that they might have received from the evil inclination about their salvation experience and total deliverance.
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The resurrection from the dead is also clearly brought forth in the Torah portion when consideration is given to the additional task Moses was given in that he had to transport Joseph’s bones with the rest of the Hebrews as they continued their Exodus from Egypt to the land that was promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who were Hebrews. The resurrection from the dead was a doctrine, which in Yehoshuha’s day clearly separated the Sadducees from the Pharisees.
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The testament reveals that the sect of the Sadducees felt that there was no mention made of a resurrection of the dead in the Torah. Unfortunately they missed seeing the significance of why the bones of Joseph were part of the Exodus from Egypt, until they believed in the resurrection of Yehoshuha after which they joined with the Hebrew Apostolic Congregation, Acts 2:5.
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And the L-RD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:, Exodus 13:21
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G-d never took away the signs of His presence all the time until the Exodus was completed. The signs were a pillar of the cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night. G-d was with Moses and the Hebrews as He promised he would be. G-d uses signs with respect to the Hebrews on many occasions then and now as the scriptures reveal, Mark 16:15-20.
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Is it any wonder that the Apostle Paul when writing to the Congregation at Corinth spoke these words:
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1 Corinthians 12:1 (KJV) Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus (Yehoshuha) is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
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Reflecting back to Exodus 15, the Hymn of Moses, compare it to the Seder Yehoshuha had with his disciples and we see that they both end the Seder with a Hymn.
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Matthew 26:30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
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Mark 14:26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
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And now whatever you do have yourself a wonderful day! Dr Lennie Marx Shaliach
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