Shabbat Parashat Shemot – Shabbat Mevarekhim HaChodesh

Shabbat Parashat Shemot
Shabbat Mevarekhim HaChodesh
January 5, 2013 – 23 Tevet 5773

Dear Friends,

One of the most amazing insights in this week’s action-packed Torah portion
of Shemot is the fact that redemption can sometimes come from the least
likely places….

It was Pharoah who decided that the Israelites were a threat to Egypt and
that the way to deal with them was to order the drowning of the newborn sons
in the Nile. Yet, it was Pharoah’s own daughter who drew Moses out of the
Nile and saved his life!

Reminding us that there might be some positive influences within pockets of
negativity, the Torah tells us this amazing tale about Pharoah’s daughter.

What’s the message?

Never give up hope that seeds of redemption will somehow give birth to
positive trends within our world.

Never assume that a person’s surroundings define that person or their
character.

Never give up on the younger generation.

Despite the negative forces that attempt to wreak havoc in the world, there
are heroes and leaders in the making ready to respond to the call to make
our world a better place.

This Shabbat we will recite the prayer for the upcoming Jewish month of
Shevat. Rosh Chodesh Shevat will be a week from now – on next Friday night
and Shabbat.

May it be a month of renewal, of redemption, of health and of peace!

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Gilah Dror