This study is dedicated in the loving memory of Mr. Michael and Mrs. Channah Sakash, may they rest in peace.
This study is dedicated in the loving memory of Mr. Donald Wayne Belk and Mr. Gary Lee Belk, may they rest in peace.
When Ha Torah discusses B'nei Yisroel exiting Mitzriam the word Haw Awm {the people} is written three times at the beginning of Parshas Beshalach. Shemos 13:17,18. It is not by chance that it is stated three times. When something is stated three times as Haw Awm is, we pay special attention to why.
The emphasis on Ha Awm is shared by Chaw Zahk {strong, firm}. The Gematria of 115 representing both Haw Awm and Chaw Zahk would seem to indicate ‘Strength to the people.’ Chaw Zahk is the shoresh {root} for Vah Yah Cha Zek {and he hardened}. We studied Vah Yah Cha Zek in Parshas Bo in the lesson entitled ‘The Results Of A Hardened Heart.’ So it is interesting to observe that as B'nei Yisroel departs Mitzriam, Mystically we see Hashem has taken the hardness out of Mitzriam and given it to His people in the Gematria of Ha Awm {the People}.
We find this strength of Chaw Zawk in the Gematria of the person of Moshe Rabbeinu. We find it in his special leadership abilities. Since the word Haw Awm is found three times we multiply 3 x 115 = 345. The Gematria of Moshe is 345.
We also observe an interesting connection in the three occurrences of the letters of Ha Awm.
These letters point to Hashem's leadership through Moshe.
The three Hey's represent:
The Five Books of Moshe
One Fifth Saved
Armed
The Five Prohibited Grains - Wheat, Barely, Spelt, Rye, Oats
Chu Maw Sh {Chumash} means Five. That is why one name for Ha Torah, the five books of Moshe, is referred to as Chumash.
Chu Mahsh, meaning ‘Five’. Our sages say only 1/ 5th of B'nei Yisroel actually came up out of Mitzriam. They base this on a mystical interpretation of the word Vah Chah Moo Shem in Shemos 13:18. The root of the word Vah Chah Moo Shem is Chu Mahsh {One Fifth [Saved]}. Our sages state that only one fifth of B’nei Yisroel exited Mitzriam. The other 4/5 died in Mitzriam.
From the same passuk in Shemos 13:18 we also have the literal interpretation from the same word, Vah Chah Moo Shem which comes from the same letters but the root Chee Maysh {Armed}.
The Three Ayin's represent:
Yosief spoke 70 languages - See Parshas Mikeitz in the Midrash, Sefer Ha Yashar
70 entered Mitzriam - Bereishis 46:27
70 Elders appointed in the wilderness - Shemos 24:9
The three Mem's represent:
Moshe in Mitzriam 40 years
Moshe in Midian 40 years
Moshe in Midbar {wilderness} 40 years
3 x 5 =15 The fifteenth of Nissan (first night of Passover)
3 x 70 = 210 Kal Yisroel was in Mitzriam for 210 years
3 x 40 = 120 Moshe lived to 120 years
In Ha Awm we see many powerful themes: Ha Torah {Chumash}; remembering Pesach; remembering the years of bondage; remembering the greatness of Moshe Rabbeinu, our teacher; Moshe's strong leadership; reproduction strength given while living in Mitzriam {our ancestors grew from 70 to over three million in just 210 years}; strength to the people given by Hashem upon departing Mitzriam; and the wisdom from the elders.
Wishing you the best!,
Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk
Written 5760
Updated 5764
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