Parashah Roundup: Beshalakh 5769

by Steve Brizel

Leaving Egypt Behind

R. Yitzchak Adlerstein, based upon the teachings of the Nesivos Shalom and the Ohr HaChaim, explains that the Jewish People required all of their 42 journeys to achieve a full redemption: link

R. Dovid Hirsch reminds us that the Seder Leil Pesach and many other Mitzvos and Halachsos are designed to sanctify the mundane, which was the overarching principle of the Exodus from Egypt: link (audio)

The Bones of Joseph

R. Shlomo Riskin and R. Ephraim Buchwald explains why Moshe Rabbeinu personally exhumed and carried Joseph's bones from Egypt: link 1, link 2

Click here to read moreThe Journey from Egypt to Sinai

R. Yitzchak Etshalom explores the route taken from Egypt to Sinai: link (PDF)

Pharoah's Pursuit

R. Asher Brander explains why unity and a passionate commitment to Torah are indispensable: link

The Splitting of the Red Sea

R. Yissocher Frand , based on Tehilim 106:7, reminds us that we should try to always see the proverbial glass as half-full, as opposed to half-empty: link

The Legacy of Nachson Ben Amidav

R. Francis Nataf suggests that leadership by example requires that we follow the methods of Nachson Ben Amibadav: link

Az Yashir-A Human Song of Victory or Divine Song of Joy and the Incomparability of God

R. Dovid Horwitz, based upon different views within Chazal and among the Rishonim, discusses whether the theme of the Shiras HaYam is religious monotheism or ontological monothesism (link) and the incomparability of God: link

Hiddur Mitzvah

R. Dovid Gottlieb explores the halachic basis and requirements of Hiddur Mitzvah: link

Shabbos and the Limits of the Human Personality

R. Aharon Lichtenstein reminds us that Shabbos serves to help us gain the focus on our lives: link

Seudos Shabbos

R. Yonasan Sacks discusses the relationship between Mann and Seudas Seudas Shabbos: link

R. Asher Weiss and R. Dovid Gottlieb discsuss the halachic requirements of Seudos Shabbos: link 1, link 2

The Battle Against Amalek

R. Jonathan Sacks contrasts the battle waged by God at the crossing of the Red Sea and the battle waged by the Jewish People against Amalek: link

R. Berel Wein reminds us that there is an internal and external conflict with Amalek: link

R. Baruch Simon discusses the waging of Milchemes Amalek on Shabbos and whether women are obligated in waging war against Amalek: link (audio)

Shiras Miryam and Shiras Dvorah

R. Mordechai Willig shows why Miriam and Devorah remain constant role models for today's women: link

Tu BeShvat and Shirah

R. Baruch Simon reminds us that Emunah depends not on miraculous events, but on events that we would not necessarily visualize or even view as miraculous: link (audio)

Last year's roundup: link