Erev Shabbat Kodesh
Parashat Shemot
"A new king arose over Egypt who did not know Joseph." (Shemot 1.8)
Today, a "new king" arises in America where nearly half of the world's Jews remain in exile. If in Egypt, we suffered like never before under the new king "who did not know Joseph", today, Jews in the United States (and those who live under American domination elsewhere) are poised to prosper like never before. If in Egypt, our tremendous suffering under the "new king" caused us to cry out to HKB"H for salvation and redemption, what does the situation we find ourselves in today portend?
It's a fundamental human trait to forget God when things are going well and to turn to Him only when we hit rock bottom. The Song of Ha'azinu testifies to this as well...
"So Jeshurun grew fat and kicked— You grew fat and gross and coarse— He forsook the God who made him And spurned the Rock of his support." (Devarim 32.15)
It would appear that some are spurning their Rock in favor of the "new king who does know Joseph". But, what a mistake that will turn out to be. How can it be otherwise when they put their faith in man rather than God?
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