This study of the weekly parsha is dedicated in the loving memory of Naomi Channah, Mrs. Naomi Lipton Kravitz may she rest in peace, by her son, Daniel Kravitz, and family.

Within our world there are many forms of oppression. There are numerous types of constraints. In Mitzriam there were brutal murders, harsh beatings, slavery and other forms of control held over B'nei Yisroel. The Torah states, "a new ruler came into power," a political change occurred in the system. The transition of political power was blind to Yosief, the man that Hashem used to interpret Pharaoh's dream just 139 years earlier. That change was blind to Yosief's wisdom and leadership in saving a hungry world. Time had passed. Unfortunately it was water under the bridge. So the evil Pharaoh placed Yosief's relatives under harsh officers. B'nei Yisroel were forced into slavery! That was a sad day! The righteous were oppressed! The righteous were constrained!

Just several generations earlier Yosief saved Mitzriam and the surrounding countries. Pharaoh did not know! Apparently no one bothered to tell Pharaoh! Apparently the memory of the people of Mitzriam was void of Yosief's greatness. Why? How is it that an entire country could forget what Yosief did for them through Hashem's direction? How is it that the leadership did not remember or speak up if they did remember? What happened?

The point is that Mitzriam conveniently forgot Yosief... They forgot the famine... They forgot the famine ended when Yaakov, Yosief's father, set foot on Mitzriam's soil. They forgot the holiness of this people. Why?

The Story Of The Poor Jew Who Remembered
I know of a Yid who was in financial need. A man in the community privately gave him several hundred dollars in an envelope. The Yid who received this envelope did not know what was in it. The giver requested that the receiver say one Tehillim {Psalm} in behalf of him and his family everyday and that he should ask Hashem to bless him so that he would be financially able to assist other Yidden. The receiver agreed. On other occasions the two would meet in shul, in shopping places, etc. They were friends and showed great kindness towards each other. Occasionally the giver would assist his poorer brother. After a while the poorer brother did better and did not require assistance. He became wealthy. Many years later another Yid heard him praying for his dear holy brother and saying a Tehillim for him, his wife and his children. He heard the Yid say Hashem bless my holy brother and he named his Hebrew name, etc. The Yid who overheard this prayer knew that the recipient of the prayer was quite wealthy and wondered why this Yid prayed with such kavanah for him. After a few weeks he observed that he did this everyday. Well, his curiosity got the best of him. He had to ask. The answer he received was, "Many years ago when I was in need this holy brother assisted me. In return for his assistance I promised to say a Tehillim everyday in behalf of him and his family."

Upon hearing his answer the curious Yid asked, "Has he assisted you recently?"

"No, not directly," was the reply.

The curious Yid questioned, "So why do you continue to say a Tehillim in his behalf everyday? He hasn't assisted you in years."

The Yid responded, "Because I remember when he did help me."

Dear reader, that is the error of Mitzriam. They forgot Yosief. They forgot how Hashem blessed Yosief. Because they forgot, the righteous relatives of Yosief were oppressed, constrained and forced into slavery.

Hashem does not want us to forget. That is why Hashem said, "This day shall be for you a { day of } remembrance. You shall celebrate it as a festival to Hashem throughout your generations. It is an eternal statute that you must celebrate it." Exodus 12:14

Holy reader, during these days of Pesach remembering what Hashem did for us is each of our obligation. Teaching our children to remember is our obligation. Let's do our best! One should not forget the importance of remembering.... and if one has forgotten, it is time to do shuvah by determining to remember!

The Gematria for Li Zee Caw Rohn, remembrance, is 313 which is also shared by Shoo Vaw, return, as in return to the Torah and return to Mitzvahs and return to the command "to remember."

{From Right to Left}

Li Zee Caw Rohn
313 = Nun = 50 + Vov = 6 + Reish = 200 + Chof = 20 + Zyain = 7 + Lamid = 30

Shoo Vaw
313 = Hey = 5 + Bais = 2 + Vov = 6 + Shin = 300

Wishing you the most Kosher Pesach,

Dr. Akiva G. Belk

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