Parshat Bo
By: Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron
בס"ד
לשכנו תדרשו
Inviting the Holy Presence in Our Holy Land
'Also the Man Moshe was Considered Very Great in the Eyes of Pharaoh and his Servants'
'And so give honor to Your People, praise to those that fear You, good hope to those that seek You...' (Amida of Rosh Hashanna and Yom Kippur)
Our prophets teach us that the People of Israel are meant to be a light unto the nations. This means that the Jewish People are designated as the People of God through which the Light of God is channeled to all humanity. Therefore, the honor given to the Jewish People is an Honor to God, and the honor given to the God-fearing pious individuals of Israel is an even greater praise to HaShem. In this parsha, after numerous Divinely inflicted plagues befall upon the Egyptians, Moshe Rabeinu is revered and admired by Pharaoh and his servants.
One of the revered figures of Hebron, not only by Jews, but also by non-Jews alike, was Rabbi Haim Hizkiyahu Medini zt"l, the Sdei Hemed. When Rabbi Medini would pass through the streets of Hebron all would be silent, and Arabs would whisper to each other, 'here comes the Hacham [Rabbi/'wiseman'] of the Jews.'
Once, the Arabs of Hebron founded a committee designated to deal with individuals of the city who did not pay their taxes. The way this committee made such individuals pay these taxes was by whipping, or by even more severe punishment. Such individuals would be taken to the center of the city, shackled as sheep, and were sentenced publicly for forty lashes or for worse. Those who paid their debts were released, but those who did not, could lie in prison for the rest of their lives.
One time, Hebron's Jewish Community received a warning to pay their taxes that had accumulated over the years. Therefore, the heads of the Jewish community were called for sentencing, including the Chief Rabbi of Hebron, Rabbi Medini. This summoning was a serious matter of concern, since Rabbi Medini's arrival to the sentencing may be considered a desecration of HaShem's Name. Nevertheless, Rabbi Medini rose, wore his cloak, announced, 'the judgment of the government is considered judgment' ('dina demalchuta dina'), and then he left for the sentencing. When Rabbi Medini arrived, all were startled and struck with awe. Who had the gall to summon the Chief Rabbi of Hebron himself, when this matter could be settled by a mere representative or messenger of the community? Everyone stood and did not sit till Rabbi Medini sat in an honorable place. Refreshments were immediately ordered for the rabbi. As they put their hands on their heads, the Arab officials inquired thrice about Rabbi Medini's well being and apologized for having summoned the Chief Rabbi to come himself. Rabbi Medini answered: 'I am servant to the government and a servant to my community. The taxes that I am ordered to pay are not business taxes nor taxes on private property, but rather these taxes are on sacred property, that, as far as I know, are exempt for taxes according to the law. Nevertheless, whatever you order, I will do.' When these words were said calmly and in perfect Turkish, it made a tremendous impression on everyone, till the head of the committee rose and said: 'You are a prince of God among us, in your honor and in honor of your Torah we hereby erase all of these taxes from the records, and we ask your forgiveness and blessing.' The crowd around Rabbi Medini, Jews and non-Jews alike, burst in rejoicing, and even one of the head officials, known for his cruelty to Jews, softened and honored Rabbi Medini. The Sdei Hemed then said: 'If I have found favor in your eyes, please act compassionately with those imprisoned by you, waiting for their judgment. Soften their sentences, and they will bless the Sultan and the honorary officials gathered here.' 'So it shall be!' said the head of the committee, 'release their chains, and they shall kiss the feet of the Chief Rabbi.' Everyone exclaimed: 'Long live the Chief Rabbi!'
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Real Stories from the Holy Land #251
'I was once discussing a kabbalistic passage with my hevruta which discusses the significance of the number 413. About three hours later I went shopping in the supermarket and the groceries added up to exactly 413 NIS.' Y.G
Sources: Sefer Hebron pp. 116-7
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