Parshat:  Yitro  >5770<
By: Rabbi Moshe Tropper

Dear  Emek Parents and Friends:
 

אַתֶּם רְאִיתֶם אַֹשֶר עָשִֹיתִי לְמִצְרָיִם

 

You have seen what I did to Mitzrayim

 

Moshe went up to receive the Torah and was told by Hashem to give a message to Binei Yisroel. “Tell them that all of you have seen what I have done to Mitzrayim”. Let’s try and picture this moment. Hashem is preparing for the event that the entire universe was created for. He is sending what would seem to be a message for all eternity for every member of the Jewish people to internalize and pass on from generation to generation. What is this message? Remember what I did to Mitzrayim. Remember how I really socked it too them and showed them who’s boss. Remember how I sent all my most terrible and destructive plagues upon them. Though this was an awesome display of Hashem’s power and dominion, it seems to miss the mark for this particular moment. Is this really the image Hashem wants us to have associated with matan Torah, the giving of the Torah. Wouldn’t a more loving and pleasant image of Hashem be more inspiring and motivational? Shouldn’t the focus be what Hashem did for us, and not what he did to Mitzrayim.

 

This question is asked by the saintly Or Hachaim and his answer also teaches an important principle of parenting. Hashem’s message actually had two parts, each essential in our relationship with him and the Torah. First, we need to be aware of Hashem’s awesome power and his ability to punish. Hashem was pointing out that we should be aware, heaven forbid, to cause ourselves to be punished in a similar way by not following the Torah. However, if fear alone would guarantee our keeping of the Torah, Hashem would not have had to make such nature defying miracles when punishing the Mitzrim. There were plenty of ways for Hashem to instill fear without changing the rules of creation. He made such miraculous punishments of the Mitzrim to show us his boundless love. He has such an endless love that he went as far as changing the “laws” of nature just to make our salvation that much more spectacular. This was the true message of inspiration for Binei Yisroel. Yes, I can punish if you cause me too, but my love for you is greater than creation itself and should inspire you to strive to your potential. Look what I did to Mitzrayim for you.

 

Neither of these images, fear of punishment or overwhelming love, on their own would be enough to ensure a dedication to Torah for generations. However, a combination of both, the knowledge that Hashem will not let us stray too far whether we like it or not, and the image of his never ending love will inspire us to strive for greatness and pass on the Torah to the next generation.

 

Just as our relationship with Hashem is that of a child to a parent, we can apply this message to the way we raise our children. Certainly, fear of punishment and constant threats will not result in healthy well rounded children, yet love alone can not raise that child either. As we strive to raise our children in a Torah true way, we must “bring close with the right hand”, through unconditional love and care to each of our children. At the same time we must “push away lightly with the left”, by setting boundaries and not giving a thumbs up to every whim and desire no matter how irrational. Through this may we merit Hashem’s assistance in raising our children to their full potential.

 

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Moshe Tropper