EXOD194 "With the measure that one measures, so it is measured out to him." Moses appropriated the merit [of looking after] the bones of Joseph, as it is written: "And Moses took the bones of Joseph." And there was none in Israel greater than he; accordingly, he, likewise, merited that the Holy One Himself occupy Himself with him [i.e., with his burial], as it is written (Deuteronomy 34:6): "And He buried him (Sotah 9b).

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EXOD196 From here it is derived that a master may waive the honor due him (Kiddushin 32a).

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EXOD197 It was taught: "There will not depart, the pillar of cloud, by day, and the pillar of fire, by night"- This teaches us that the pillar of cloud overlapped [in the transition] the pillar of fire, and the pillar of fire overlapped the pillar of cloud (Shabbat 23b). Scripture hereby teaches us proper deportment vis-à-vis the eve of Sabbath [namely, to add from the non--consecrated (i.e. Friday afternoon) to the consecrated (Sabbath). While the pillar of cloud was still in place, the pillar of fire emerged. (Mechilta)

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EXOD198 Now since man is obviously confined within time and space, his deeds cannot penetrate beyond a certain limit -- the furthest point his merit can reach. Hence Scripture has advised us that when we see the merits of our forefathers becoming exhausted, we should ourselves awaken the attributes of God's goodness and chesed for us, by clinging in our deeds to the same virtues. Then, measure for measure, His chesed will envelop us and will never depart from us. (The expression lo yamush carries the implication of "will never depart", as in [this verse], lo yamish -- "the pillar of cloud shall not at any time depart.")

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EXOD199 See [[DEUT41]] Deuteronomy 2:30 hardened SPERO 245-6

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EXOD200 See [[DEUT41]] Deuteronomy 2:30 hardened SPERO 245-6

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EXOD201 Even though people think of anti-Semitism in negative terms, sometimes there can be a positive end to this hate. The Talmud Megillah 14a says that the anti-Semitism displayed by Achashverosh in decreeing against the Jews in the Purim story did more to inspire the Jews than the prophecy and admonishings of all forty-eight prophets and seven prophetesses. What does this mean? The negative acts of Achashverosh woke up the Jews and inspired them to do good, as no prophet did, says the Talmud, because it is often the negative acts against the Jews that bring them together and wake them out of their spiritual slumber. The decree of a wicked king mobilized the Jews to become more Jewish, where the prophets could not. This idea is alluded to in the Torah. After the Jews left Egypt, the verse says that Pharaoh drew closer to the people as he chased them. But the tense for the verb "drew closer" actually reads "he brought them closer" as a causative, hif-il. Thus, according to some commentaries, the Torah is actually telling us that Pharaoh (and not any other action by Moses) brought the people closer. That is what happened with both Achashverosh and Pharaoh. Even in modern times, this phenomenon can be seen. It was only after the progroms and anti-Semitism in Europe during the 1880s that the Jews started seriously to move to Palestine and actualize the Zionist dream. In more recent times, after the establishment of the State of Israel, the desire to come on aliyah has not usually been strong enough to track the masses to the State. The massive aliyah of Jews from Arab countries, from Russia, and from Ethiopia has come about because of anti-Semitism. Once again, the terrible pain of anti-Semitism has led to a positive result, aliyah.

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EXOD202 Simeon his son said … not learning but doing is the main thing. Pirkei Avot, Perek I, Mishnah 17. In short, theory is not as important as practice. This is quite similar to the teaching of Shammai, "Speak little and do much." We find a discussion taking place among the tanna'im as to which is greater: study or practice. Different opinions were given, and finally all agreed that learning is greater since learning will lead to deeds. (T.B. Kiddushin 40b). Without adequate knowledge, proper deeds are impossible. But since learning is looked upon as only a means, it would appear that the essence, the important thing, is truly the deed. Our own Jewish community often appears to be sinking by the sheer weight of its own wordiness. Conferences, conventions and commissions continue to grind out reams of paper with endless words. We bemoan, we bewail, we diagnose and prescribe. But all these are no substitute for actions and deeds of meaning. Certain historic moment call for action, and nothing else will do. When the Egyptians pursued the Israelites and apparently had them trapped with the sea in front of them, the Almighty said to Moses, "Why do you cry to Me? Speak to the children of Israel that they may go forward." [This verse]. This was a time neither for meditation nor for study. It was an occasion for deeds.

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EXOD203 See [[DEUT41]] Deuteronomy 2:30 hardened SPERO 245-6

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EXOD204 See [[EXOD115]] Exodus 7:5 destroyed SACKS 86

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