When telling over about the Manna, the posuk says that everyone received one omer (a measurement).  The wording is “the one who collected more, the one who collected” they all wound up with one omer.  This same concept applies today.  HaShem had determined how much each of us will have.  The amount of effort expended to get that amount is what is up to us.  All we are required to do is put forth a “normal” amount of effort and then HaShem will give us what He has set aside for us.  Let us trust in HaShem and accept what He want to give us, without gathering extra manna.

In this week’s Parsha HaShem took the Jews out of Egypt.  The posuk tells us that HaShem did not lead them through the land of the Plishtim because it was near.  There are times that HaShem does things that seem to be bad for us.  We feel that for a reason something is good, but for precisely that reason HaShem does differently.  The Chofetz Chaim gives an example.  The small town around where he lived had a lot of Jews who were severely persecuted.  He said that for that reason they still exist, had there not been the persecution they would have assimilated and been lost forever.  HaShem always has a reason for what He does, even if it may seem bad to us, it is good.

HaShem revealed Himself at Har Sinai where He gave us the Torah.  There is a posuk following that says “now you have been brought to know that HaShem is G-d, there is none other than Him”.  The revelation at Sinai was performed in front of millions of people.  There can be no doubt in any of our minds that it occurred.  How otherwise can such a massive event have been “slipped” into history.  At what point can it be said that the Torah was given to millions of people and no one had ever heard about it?  The only way it is possible for such a thing to be said is because that was how it happened.

When Esav asked Yacov for the lentil soup, Yacov demanded his rights as firstborn in exchange.  These were rights to be able to perform the spiritual tasks that the cohanim (priests) would later do.  Esav responded to Yacov by saying “here I am about to die, what do I care about the birthrights”.  There are two types of reactions that thoughts of death can bring.  One causes a person to think about the next world and what still must be accomplished on this planet to ensure an appropriate afterlife.  The other induces a bend towards the physical, thoughts that since we are leaving we must get as much physicality as we can.  Let us try to be more on the spiritual side.

The Torah says that HaShem created man in the image of G-d.  There are various explanations given as to what that means as G-d does not have an “image”.  Regardless of the meaning of the statement one thing is certain.  Mankind was created with an enormous potential for G-dliness.  Each and everyone of us can reach unimaginable heights.  We only have to try.  Let us tap into the “image of G-d” within ourselves and become a person that does not bring shame to that image, but rather pride and joy.

The Torah tells us that HaShem said He would do alot of wonderful things for Avraham Avinu because he (Avraham)will pass along the heritage of HaShem to his children after him.  While we all certainly need to fulfill the commands of HaShem ourselves, as Jews one of our main purposes is to pass along our heritage to our children.  A parable is brought to explain this concept.  When one is appointed over a country (city, state, etc.) he rules as long as the term is for.  But the end of the job is to make sure that the one who takes over is aware of what needs to be done to keep it running smoothly.  We have a similar job.

The Alter from Slabodka was found by his students preparing for a lecture.  He asked them, what was Pharoah thinking?  How could he have gone through all the macos (plagues) and still not let the Jews go?  The students all gave him different answers, but he told them how.  It was simple Pharoah didn’t think at all.  He witnessed the plagues experienced it, and it made no impression on him because he just didn’t think.  How many times are we guilty of the same offense as Pharoah let us try to let the things we see effect growth in ourselves and not waste messages from HaShem.

There is a posuk in this weeks parsha that tells us to guard the matzos.  The word matza and mitzva are spelled the same way in Hebrew. The Sages learn from this that we should guard the mitzvos and when one comes to our hand do not let it leaven, rather do the mitzva right away.  The Chofetz Chaim points out that it says to guard because a person can become over zealous and do the wrong thing thinking that it is a mitzva.  We must carefully weigh all situations, determine the proper course of action, then deliberately do the right thing.

There is an interesting Gmara discussing what was told to a groom the day after his wedding.  He was asked if his wife was a “matza” or a “motzie” these are two different psukim.  One says “found a woman, found good” the other is “I find a woman to be more bitter than death”.  It is an interesting question to ask a newly married.  The difference between the two words is the tense, the good is past tense and the bad is current.  If after a person gets married he feels that he found his wife then she will be good.  If he is constantly trying to find her (meaning always thinking oh, I wish she would be like this, or I could have gotten someone who was like that) than his life will be bitter indeed.  This is sound advice to give to a newly married man, or woman, or even someone married for years.  This is something that if we apply to all facets of our lives we will certainly be extraordinarily happy people.  Let’s all try to have found…

There is a posuk in the torah that commands us not to stray after our hearts and eyes.  The commandment not to stray after ones hearts is against disbelief in G-d.  The eyes are a command not to be immoral.  There is another posuk that tells us to be holy.  These commands are all given to the same person.  Let us not feel that if we have desires and pulls in directions that go against the commands of the Torah that we cannot succeed in being good Jews.  The Torah is aware of our shortcomings and tells us even though you have these desires you can control them and not only control them but even become great, become holy and one of HaShem’s!!!