Shemot - Day #2

Shemot, שְׁמוֹת - Names  

Torah Portion: Exodus 1:1-6:1

Exodus 1:18–2:10

1:18 The king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said to them, “Why have you done this thing and saved the boys alive?”

19 The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women aren’t like the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.”

20 Elohim dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied, and grew very mighty. 21 Because the midwives feared Elohim, He gave them families. 22 Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, “You shall cast every son who is born into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive.”

2 A man of the house of Levi went and took a daughter of Levi as his wife. 2 The woman conceived and bore a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months. 3 When she could no longer hide him, she took a papyrus basket for him, and coated it with tar and with pitch. She put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river’s bank. 4 His sister stood far off, to see what would be done to him. 5 Pharaoh’s daughter came down to bathe at the river. Her maidens walked along by the riverside. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her servant to get it. 6 She opened it and saw the child, and behold, the baby cried. She had compassion on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.”

7 Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Should I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?”

8 Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.”

The young woman went and called the child’s mother. 9 Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away, and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.”

The woman took the child and nursed it. 10 The child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses and said, “Because I drew him out of the water.”

Today’s Meditation:

The plans of Hashem always come to pass. In today’s reading, we see two miracles. First of all, that the midwives are rescuing babies from murder, and secondly, that the Pharaoh's daughter finds Moses in the river and rescues him. And actually, a third miracle occurs when baby Moses is given back to his birth mother to be nursed and cared for. Hashem had an excellent plan to raise a deliverer for His people, and the enemy obviously did not like this. However, Hashem’s plan prevailed. Moses is saved and returned to his mother's loving arms. Nothing can stop Hashem's plans.

Today’s Challenge:

If you saw something wrong, would you intervene to stop it? Would you lie to save a life? Would you dare to carry out a dangerous plan (such as placing baby Moses in the river)? Would you trust in Hashem that if you did any of this, He would bless and protect you? My challenge to you today is to be on the lookout for what Hashem is challenging you to do. It will take you out of your comfort zone, but you must pray that He will give you the strength. Be brave and bold. Hashem will go with you wherever you go.

Shemot - Day #1

Shemot, שְׁמוֹת - Names  

Torah Portion: Exodus 1:1-6:1

Exodus 1:1–17

1 Now these are the names of the sons of Israel, who came into Egypt (every man and his household came with Jacob): 2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, 3 Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, 4 Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. 5 All the souls who came out of Jacob’s body were seventy souls, and Joseph was in Egypt already. 6 Joseph died, as did all his brothers, and all that generation. 7 The children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them.

8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who didn’t know Joseph. 9 He said to his people, “Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we. 10 Come, let’s 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.” 11 Therefore, they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. They built storage cities for Pharaoh: Pithom and Raamses. 12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread out. They started to dread the children of Israel. 13 The Egyptians ruthlessly made the children of Israel serve, 14 and they made their lives bitter with hard service in mortar and in brick, and in all kinds of service in the field, all their service, in which they ruthlessly made them serve.

15 The king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah, 16 and he said, “When you perform the duty of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birth stool, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.” 17 But the midwives feared Elohim, and didn’t do what the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the baby boys alive.

Today’s Meditation:

The story of the midwives is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. They decide not to tell the truth and save babies from being murdered.  It is a beautiful story of dedication. In verse 17, we read, “But the midwives feared Elohim, and didn’t do what the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the baby boys alive.” They feared and respected Hashem so much that they didn’t do what the King asked of them. This is the most pro-life story in all of Scripture. Perhaps there are times in our lives when it is wiser to fear Hashem and do what we must, even if it means disobeying someone in authority. As we will read tomorrow, their households were blessed for actually being disobedient to the King’s orders. We can assume from this teaching that Hashem would do the same for us in a similar situation.

Today’s Challenge:

Think of a situation in your life where you righteously defended someone, and as a result, you could not tell the truth or had to disobey your authority. Or you may be in a situation right now where Hashem is calling you to do something brave. Pray and ask Him for strength to defend what is right. Unfortunately, there may be times when you fail to dispel the truth or disobey authority, which could result in jail time, job loss, or a fine. This is where you must be sure to have heard from G-d on how to handle a difficult situation. Be in prayer and listen with an open ear. You may have to pay the cost of defending what is right, but in the end, you will have done what is good and will be blessed for doing so.

Vayechi - Day #7

Vayechi, וַיְחִי - And He Lived  

Torah Portion: Genesis 47:28-50:26

Haftarah: 1 Kings 2:1-12

Shabbat: Genesis 50:21–26

50:21 Now therefore don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your little ones.” He comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

22 Joseph lived in Egypt, he and his father’s house. Joseph lived one hundred ten years. 23 Joseph saw Ephraim’s children to the third generation. The children also of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born on Joseph’s knees. 24 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am dying, but God will surely visit you, and bring you up out of this land to the land which he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” 25 Joseph took an oath from the children of Israel, saying, “Elohim will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.” 26 So Joseph died, being one hundred ten years old, and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.

Today’s Meditation:

In verse 21, Joseph comforts his sons and assures them that he will provide for them. That is how parents have done it for generations. Part of your financial planning should be for your children and grandchildren. Some of us, even in retirement, live paycheck to paycheck. So, what can we do? One option would be to pay off your mortgage and leave your home to your children in your will. If you are young, work hard to buy a house and pay it off in time for your children. Do whatever you can do. It would also be essential to set up a trust for your children’s education. My kids inherited a trust from their grandfather, and it was a super blessing to them and to us as their parents.

Today’s Challenge:

Create a financial plan to care for existing/future children and grandchildren. Do it today or put it on your planner. Do not delay. Set it up as soon as possible, and it will ease your mind. Look at it as a lifelong gift.

This Week’s Haftarah: 1 Kings 2:1-12

2 Now the days of David came near that he should die; and he commanded Solomon his son, saying, 2 “I am going the way of all the earth. You be strong therefore, and show yourself a man; 3 and keep the instruction of Hashem your Elohim, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to that which is written in the law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do, and wherever you turn yourself. 4 Then Hashem may establish His word which He spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your children are careful of their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail you,’ he said, ‘a man on the throne of Israel.’

5 “Moreover you know also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, even what he did to the two captains of the armies of Israel, to Abner the son of Ner, and to Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war on his sash that was around his waist, and in his sandals that were on his feet. 6 Do therefore according to your wisdom, and don’t let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace. 7 But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table; for so they came to me when I fled from Absalom your brother.

8 “Behold, there is with you Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite, of Bahurim, who cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim; but he came down to meet me at the Jordan, and I swore to him by Hashem, saying, ‘I will not put you to death with the sword.’ 9 Now therefore don’t hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man; and you will know what you ought to do to him, and you shall bring his gray head down to Sheol with blood.”

10 David slept with his fathers, and was buried in David’s city. 11 The days that David reigned over Israel were forty years; he reigned seven years in Hebron, and he reigned thirty-three years in Jerusalem. 12 Solomon sat on David, his father’s throne; and his kingdom was firmly established.

Today’s Haftarah Meditation:

Not only is financial planning for our children essential, but more importantly, it is teaching them Hashem’s Torah and His ways. We read that Hashem told David that if he did this, then he and his children would prosper in all that he/they did. Isn’t that what we really want for our children, spiritual prosperity? My daily prayer is that my children and grandchildren will serve Hashem. The only way that will happen is through prayer and teaching them Torah. Be intentional in this so that they may prosper.

Today’s Haftarah Challenge:

Create a plan for teaching your children/grandchildren Torah. Participate in daily readings, such as this one. Additionally, the internet is rich with Torah videos, suitable for both adults and children. Create your plan and execute it. Establish a routine that includes regular readings and study. They say it takes three weeks to make a habit. It’s super important to do this. It will make the difference between a good life and a not-so-good life.

Book of B’reisheet (Genesis)Completed

After completing the reading of a book of the Torah, it is tradition to say, "Chazak, chazak, venitchazek!" which means "Be strong, be strong, and may we be strengthened!" This is a customary expression of encouragement to continue studying the Torah and to return to it in the future. And that is just what we hope you will do. 

Now, I would like to invite you to the next book of the Torah, Shemot (Exodus). I encourage you to study it just like you did this devotional. Spend a few minutes every day reading the portion and thinking about the daily meditation and challenge. I assure you that your life will be changed. You will grow closer to Hashem and deepen your faith.

Blessings and shalom, shalom.

Nancy Kujawa

Michigan, USA

Vayechi - Day #6

Vayechi, וַיְחִי - And He Lived  

Torah Portion: Genesis 47:28-50:26

Genesis 49:27–50:20

49:27 “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf. In the morning, he will devour the prey. At evening he will divide the plunder.”

28 All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father spoke to them, and blessed them. He blessed everyone according to his own blessing. 29 He instructed them and said to them, “I am to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, 30 in the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite as a burial place. 31 There they buried Abraham and Sarah, his wife. There they buried Isaac and Rebekah, his wife, and there I buried Leah: 32 the field and the cave that is therein, which was purchased from the children of Heth.” 33 When Jacob finished charging his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, breathed his last breath, and was gathered to his people. 

50 1 Joseph fell on his father’s face, wept on him, and kissed him. 2 Joseph commanded his servants, the physicians, to embalm his father; and the physicians embalmed Israel. 3 Forty days were used for him, for that is how many the days it takes to embalm. The Egyptians wept for Israel for seventy days.

4 When the days of weeping for him were past, Joseph spoke to Pharaoh’s staff, saying, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, please speak in the ears of Pharaoh, saying, 5 ‘My father made me swear, saying, “Behold, I am dying. Bury me in my grave, which I have dug for myself in the land of Canaan.” Now therefore, please let me go up and bury my father, and I will come again.’”

6 Pharaoh said, “Go up, and bury your father, just like he made you swear.”

7 Joseph went up to bury his father; and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, all the elders of the land of Egypt, 8 all the house of Joseph, his brothers, and his father’s house. Only their little ones, their flocks, and their herds, they left in the land of Goshen. 9 Both chariots and horsemen went up with him. It was a very great company. 10 They came to the threshing floor of Atad, which is beyond the Jordan, and there they lamented with a very great and severe lamentation. He mourned for his father seven days. 11 When the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning in the floor of Atad, they said, “This is a grievous mourning by the Egyptians.” Therefore, its name was called Abel Mizraim, which is beyond the Jordan. 12 His sons did to him just as he commanded them, 13 for his sons carried him into the land of Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, which Abraham bought with the field, as a possession for a burial site, from Ephron the Hittite, near Mamre. 14 Joseph returned into Egypt—he, and his brothers, and all that went up with him to bury his father, after he had buried his father.

15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us, and will fully pay us back for all the evil which we did to him.” 16 They sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father commanded before he died, saying, 17 ‘You shall tell Joseph, “Now please forgive the disobedience of your brothers, and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ Now, please forgive the disobedience of the servants of Elohim of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 His brothers also went and fell down before his face; and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 19 Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for am I in the place of Elohim? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but Elohim meant it for good, to save many people alive, as is happening today.”

Today’s Meditation:

We have a very well-known verse today in 50:20: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but Elohim meant it for good, to save many people alive, as is happening today.” I love this verse; it gives us so much hope. Many times in my life and in others', I have seen Hashem do something truly remarkable in the midst of a very sad or challenging situation. Usually, it involves people who are not directly involved. In other words, we can be a source of light for others during difficult times.

Yesterday, my good friend’s husband died of brain cancer. She called me a few hours after he died, and she sounded unbelievably peaceful. She really believes her husband is in the presence of G-d now, in heaven or paradise. It was such a witness to hear her voice and her calmness in such a sad situation. I know that Hashem will use her as a massive example of His love to others during the upcoming week, funeral and all. That is Hashem turning something that could be bad into something that could be really good.

Today’s Challenge:

Think of something difficult that you are going through right now, or that someone you are close to might be experiencing. Now, pray and ask Hashem how it can all turn for the better, or better yet, see how He is already using the situation for something good. Could you write it down? Tell others about the goodness of G-d. And praise Him. By doing this, you will enhance the positive aspects of your challenging situation.

Vayechi - Day #5

Vayechi, וַיְחִי - And He Lived  

Torah Portion: Genesis 47:28-50:26

Genesis 49:19–26

49:19 “A troop will press on Gad,

    but he will press on their heel.

20 “Asher’s food will be rich.

    He will produce royal dainties.

21 “Naphtali is a doe set free,

    who bears beautiful fawns.

22 “Joseph is a fruitful vine,

    a fruitful vine by a spring.

    His branches run over the wall.

23 The archers have severely grieved him,

    shot at him, and persecuted him:

24 But his bow remained strong.

    The arms of his hands were made strong,

    by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob,

    (from there is the shepherd, the stone of Israel),

25 even by the Elohim of your father, who will help you,

    by the Almighty, who will bless you,

with blessings of heaven above,

    blessings of the deep that lies below,

    blessings of the breasts, and of the womb.

26 The blessings of your father have prevailed above the blessings of your ancestors,

    above the boundaries of the ancient hills.

They will be on the head of Joseph,

    on the crown of the head of him who is separated from his brothers.”

Today’s Meditation:

Jacob continues to praise his sons and prophecy about their future. He gives the longest speeches to Judah and Joseph. We all have favorites among our kids, but it's best not to let them know this, right? The point is that he loved all his children (and grandchildren), and it was essential to bestow blessings upon them. As we discussed yesterday, be sure to bless your children while you and they are alive. You never want to miss out on any opportunities.

Today’s Challenge:

Take a piece of paper and write down one special thing about each of your children. If they are grown, still do it. And do the same for your grandchildren. Take your paper, date it, and store it in a special place. Guaranteed, someone will find it sometime in the future and be blessed. And it will help you to remember the special things about your family. If you don’t have kids, then write something special about a sibling or friend.