And these are the Names of the the Children of Israel that are Coming to Egypt – Yaakov / Jacob, a man and his house came. (Shemot 1:1) Reuven, Shimon Levi and Yehuda. Yissachar, Zevulun, and Binyamin. Dan and Naftali, Gad and Asher. And all the souls that came out from the loins of Yaakov were seventy souls and Yosef was in Mitzrayim.
This week in the weekly Torah reading that we read in the Shabbat Morning Service – we start a new book in the Chumash / 5 Books of Moses – Shemot / Exodus. This book we are introduced to Moshe / Moses – who is born and eventually leads the Jewish nation out of Egypt as Free men. To Leave Egypt – we first learn how we got there.
Rashi – the classic commentator on the Torah – speaks on the first verse. Rashi usually explains the verses based upon the fact that he had an obvious question on the verse or verses. His implicit question on the first verse – Why do you need to tell me the names of the children of Yisrael (also known as Yaakov / Jacob) , entering Egypt. We know that the sons of Jacob entered into Egypt.
Rashi Answers – Even though (that G-d) counted them (the children of Israel) in their lifetime in their names – he returned and counted them after they died – to teach you of their being beloved (to G-d) – for they are like the stars – that go out and enter with their number and their names … all of them he called them in their name.
G-d loves his creatures. He loves people more than a parent can love their children. G-d has a special love for the Jewish people for they – followed him into the desert and traveled there for 40 years.
How are we to get close to G-d? A person asked a great sage, the H’azon Ish – how to achieve spirituality and closeness to G-d? He answered – G-d gave us laws called the Halacha – Jewish Law in the (work called) the Shulh’an Aruch (by Rabbi Yosef Karo). By following them we achieve closeness to G-d.
Basically spirituality is becoming close to G-d. G-d gave us the guide to become close to him. For Jews it is following the Halacha. For Gentiles – it is the 7 Noahide laws.
If one were to contemplate the unimaginable kindness that G-d provides for us every single second – and we would appreciate it – we would be tring to follow every single detail of the laws.
What does G-d do? He gives us life, makes every single cell of our body grow, gives us food – every single cell and molecule is being created for our good, he provides us with shelter, money… The list goes on.
Parallel to that is working on emulating G-d – by learning Jewish self-improvement works / Mussar – like Mesilat Yesharim / the Path of the Just, Orhot Tzadikim / the ways of the Righteous, Shaarei Teshuva / The Gates of Repentance, etc.
One more thing to become closer to G-d is to attach ourselves to the righteous Talmidei Hakhamim / Torah Scholars. The 20th of Tevet / the night of Dec 31 this year is the Yartzeit of the Rambam / Maimonides and Rabbi Yaakov Abuhatzeira. Both tremendous sages. Both tremendous righteous people. Getting closer to and learning from the Righteous Torah Sages – in their lifetime or by attending Hilloula Celebrations for the Deceased Righteous Scholars – allows us to deepen our connection to G-d.
Light a candle in their memory and pray to Hash-m that in their merit your prayers will be answered.