Questions and Answers
What is the consequence of the Jews living in Israel and continuing to sin, and how does Hashem react to their behavior?
The consequence is that they become involved with idol worship and many practices of the surrounding nations, and Hashem gets angry with them.
What word describes 'The process of becoming similar to something' in the context of the Jews living in Israel?
Assimilation
What did the Jews in Egypt hold strong to, despite assimilating into Egyptian culture?
Their names, language, and clothing
What is the secret of Jewish survival in all of the difficult and dangerous exiles, according to the Lubavitcher Rebbe?
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Why do we wish for our sons to be like Ephraim and Menashe when we bless them on Shabbat?
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What was special about Ephraim and Menashe compared to Yaakov's other grandchildren?
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Why did Jacob treat Ephraim and Menashe as his own sons?
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What is the significance of the blessing to be like Ephraim and Menashe?
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What kind of society were Menashe and Ephraim raised in, and how did they remain faithful?
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What is the wish that parents have for their children, and what is the reality?
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What is the blessing that parents give to their children, and what does it mean?
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Study Notes
The Jews in Israel
- The Jews lived in Israel alongside other nations, but they continued to sin and adopt idol worship and practices from surrounding nations, angering Hashem.
Parshat Shemot
- The parsha begins by listing the names of the children of Israel who came to Egypt, indicating that they retained their Jewish names despite assimilating into Egyptian culture.
- The Jews preserved their unique identity by maintaining their names, language, and clothing, which ultimately led to their freedom from Egypt.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe's Insight
- The Rebbe believes that this preservation of identity is the secret to Jewish survival in exile, stating that the first defense against assimilation is for children to know and remember who they are.
The Story of Ephraim and Menashe
- Ephraim and Menashe were the sons of Joseph, born in Egypt, and were blessed by their grandfather Yaakov as if they were his own sons.
- As a result, they became two independent tribes, on par with Yaakov's sons.
- Despite being raised in a secular society, they remained faithful to the morals and ideals passed down by Yaakov through their father Yosef.
- Their remarkable upbringing and ability to maintain a high level of spirituality in a morally corrupt society make them worthy of emulation.
The Blessing
- When we bless our children on Shabbat, we wish for them to emulate Ephraim and Menashe, having the strength to withstand societal pressures and do the right thing.
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