In this week’s Parsha, Hashem told Moshe Rabbeinu Bo el Pharoh, to come to Pharaoh. Now grammatically this doesn’t make much sense. The pasuk should say lech el Pharaoh, go to Pharaoh. Why does the Torah say come to Pharaoh? Let’s think about it. Moshe Rabbeinu was very intimidated by Pharaoh. He was scared, and he was almost despondent. He almost wanted to give up. He was at his wit’s end. Moshe said I’m not going to Pharaoh. That’s where challenge is and that’s where hardship is. That’s where the struggle is. That’s where the darkness is.
I heard from my father, Rav Yitzchok Fingerer shlita that the Kotzker Rebbe says something so beautiful. He says that when Hashem told Moshe come to Pharaoh, Hashem was saying, come to Me – I’m where Pharaoh is. You think you’re alone when you go through that struggle, that hardship or that darkness? You’re not alone. I am there. Hashem is saying I’m with you! I am doing what’s best for you!
That’s why, says the Kotzker, it doesn’t say go to Pharaoh. Go to Pharaoh would mean Hashem is telling Moshe to leave His presence and to go on his own. To suffer. To be all alone. Hashem says come to Pharaoh – Come with me. You are not alone. You will never be alone! I am with you, and I will always be with you! The lesson to us is that we are never alone. Even when it may seem bleak and dark, even when it seems ominous, even when it seems insurmountable, Hashem says come with Me! I’m with you! I love you! I care about you!
Before he came to America, Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky, zt”l applied for a rabbinic position in Europe. He sincerely believed and prayed that he would receive this job. A little while later it became known that a man of a much lower stature was chosen for this prestigious job. Rav Yaakov was downtrodden and broken. He knew that he was a much better candidate for that position. Rav Yaakov didn’t know what was going to be with him and his family. He didn’t know how he would he put bread on the table. He had no choice – he had to move to America. When he came to America, he eventually became a Rosh Yeshiva in Yeshivas Torah Vodaath and was one of the Gedolei HaDor (greatest rabbis of the generation).
Many years later, Rav Yaakov gathered his large family together and told them as follows: “The ‘winning candidate’ – the man who was chosen for the job was tragically killed out with the entire city by the Nazis. I davened so hard that I should get that job. I was so disappointed when I didn’t receive that position. Now, however, it is all clear to me. If I had gotten that job none of you would be here today! Hashem spared my life!” We never know Hashem’s plans! When you are going through a time that may seem dark and bleak, know that Hashem is there and that Hashem loves you!
Please check out the Jewish n’ Joyful podcast. The podcast and its videos are available on all main streaming platforms. Feedback is greatly appreciated – to receive our weekly email, email us at [email protected] or visit our website parshaknowledge.com Have a great Shabbos!
Parsha Knowledge is a weekly newsletter with Torah thoughts, stories, and inspiration on the weekly Parsha. Aside from the newsletter Parsha Knowledge has a podcast called Jewish n’ Joyful which is available on all major podcast platforms. If you would like to subscribe, sponsor a week of Parsha Knowledge, or send feedback please email [email protected] or visit www.parshaknowledge.com
