Shemot- Names

Another contribution from Rabbi Jack Farber. Thanks again, dear brother.

Parashat HaShavua Shemot / Names

This Week's Reading List:
Shemot / Exodus 1:1-6:1
Yeshayahu / Isaiah 27:6-28:13
Ma'asei Talmidim / Acts 7:17-29


Shemot {1:8} Now there arose a new king over Mitrayim (Egypt) who did not know Yoseph (Joseph). {1:9} He said to his people, "Behold, the people of bnei Yisrael (the children of Israel) are more and mightier than we. {1:10} Come, let us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply, and it happen that when any war breaks out, they also join themselves to our enemies, and fight against us, and escape out of the land." {1:11} Therefore, they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. They built storage cities for Pharaoh: Pithom and Raamses. {1:12} But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread out. They were grieved because of bnei Yisrael.

I believe the reason HaShem transported bnei Yisrael to Mitzrayim, in the first place, for the purpose of protecting them from intermarrying with the Canaanites. Bnei Yisrael during this period of time in history was nomadic and, therefore, the main source of their livelihood was herding livestock, primarily sheep. The Canaanites had no problem with this occupation, but not the Mitzrim (Egyptians). They saw shepherding as a lowly occupation and besides that they had, among their pantheon of gods, a sheep god. Slaughtering and eating sheep was an abomination to them. Therefore, bnei Yisrael being in Mitzrayim was ideal for HaShem's purposes. First, the Mitzrim would not intermingle with them because of their occupation and second, also because of their occupation, they would be segregated in an extreme province of Mitzrayim, Goshen, which is thought to have been located near the Canaanite boarder. Obviously HaShem's will was done and bnei Yisrael multiplied exceedingly, so much so that it worried the Mitzrim.

You may not be aware of it, but my wife and I are very involved in pro-life. It has been one of our ministries ever since we were born again. For this reason we try to keep up-to-date on what is happening concerning abortion and pro-life in Yisrael.

Yisrael, much to our disgust, has legalised abortion. The latest figures available to me indicate that approximately 40, 000 legal abortions are performed in Yisrael each year. Fifty percent of these pregnancies are terminated because they are of out-of-wedlock conception, incest or conception under illegal circumstances, such as rape, statutory rape. Eighteen percent of pregnancies are terminated because of a health risks to the mother and or supposed defects of the fetus. The balance, thirty two percent, is purely elective. My position is that the only justifiable reason for an abortion is if the mother's life is in danger. I base this position on the Biblical principle of doing everything possible to save a life.

Yochanan (John) {15:13} Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

The total Israeli population today, according to the most recent demographics, is 7, 465, 500. Approximately seventy five percent or 5, 636, 400 are Jewish. Approximately twenty three percent or 1, 739, 500 are Arab Moslem. The balance is described as others. In the year 2000 Arab Moslems made up approximately seventeen percent of Israel's population. In 2009 that number increased to approximately twenty three percent, an increase of six and a half percent, while the Jewish population over the same period of time increased by approximately nine percent. If abortions in Israel continue at there present rate and Jewish immigration remains low, as it is at present, then there is a potential problem. The Moslem religion does not allow abortion and with their policy of having large families (6-20 children), compared to the average Israeli family that has two to three children, then it is feared that in one hundred years the Arab Moslem population in Israel will become a powerful political force in the country. This force could alter decision making within the government.

My how times have changed! What Pharaoh was concerned about thousands of years ago concerning the expanding population of bnei Yisrael, bnei Yisrael is now concerned about concerning expanding population of the Moslem Arabs.

Why is this thing happening to Israel now that they are in the land HaShem has promised them? It is because they have created a secular country whose principles do not follow Torah. When they were sent by HaShem into Mitzrayim it was for the purpose of building a nation that would follow Torah. Now HaShem is reducing their number as He has warned them that He would do if they did not follow Torah.

Devarim {28:58} If you will not observe to do all the words of this Torah that are written in this sefer (book), that you may fear this glorious and fearful Name, HaShem your G-D; {28:62} You shall be left few in number, whereas you were as the stars of the sky for multitude; because you didn't listen to the voice of HaShem your G-D.

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Baruch HaShem
Rabbi Ya'acov Farber

Hallelujah for our Lord, our Teacher,our Rabbi, "YESHUA" King Messiah for ever and ever!!!