And the Egyptians treated us cruelly and afflicted us, and they imposed hard labor upon us. So we cried out to Hashem, the G-d of our Fathers, and Hashem heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. And Hashem brought us out from Egypt with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, with great awe, and with signs and wonders. (Devarim 26:6-8)

The Jews were suffering in Egypt. We screamed out to Hashem to save us. If you look at the phrase carefully, it does not say that we prayed to Hashem. We screamed out – we did not pray properly. But we were answered and Hashem saved us. Not only that but He saved us with miraculous events which the world had never seen before nor saw again. Why?

The answer is because Hashem knew our situation. Egypt was the lowest of all of the lands. Impurity was everywhere. People did not behave properly. And the Jews fell from being on a high spiritual level to an extremely low one. Therefore, since we were in a terrible spiritual situation, Hashem realized that when the Jews screamed out to Him, even though it was an improper prayer, this was a great level for them to reach. This was something that was difficult for them to do. Therefore, He answered them — and He answered them with miracles because on their level, they did something great.

As we know, living in this generation is not easy. A person used to need to walk to the corner market to find impurity, but now a person does not even need to leave his house to find impurity. People can download terrible things to devices they hold in their hands. The language people of this generation speak is disgusting. I’m not that old, but I remember ten years ago when I was at work when people would not discuss things which are openly discussed in my office nowadays. The way many people dress is totally improper. The way children speak back to parents is unacceptable. (Did you ever call a person by their first name when you were a child?) These times are full of impure, unacceptable ways.

But this can also be to our advantage. Of course, it is to our disadvantage because it can influence us, but if we strengthen ourselves to perform a small mitzvah, it can have amazing results. The Jews in Egypt performed a small mitzvah… they actually did not even perform it properly, but they were answered. So too with us – one small mitzvah can do wonders.

There’s a famous story that in 1990-1991 Dayan Donner visited Rav Shach. During this time, Iraq was threatening to shoot missiles at Eretz Yisrael and everyone in the world was worried. Dayan Donner asked Rav Shach what the Jews should do. Rav Shach said for them to take upon themselves something small. He then told a secret – he took upon himself that year that when he would say Birchas HaMazon, he would use a bentcher and not say it from memory. This is the small type of thing that Rav Shach said people should take upon themselves. Well, we know that the Gulf War happened in 1991 (shortly after this discussion between Dayan Donner and Rav Shach) and we know of the miracles that happened. Many missiles were fired at Eretz Yisrael and there was only one casualty.

Small things can save lives. Everyone wants to take upon themselves something special before Rosh HaShana. When you do, make sure it is something small, because the small things is what brings the miracles.

Good Shabbos!
-yes
please send any comments or questions to: [email protected]
to see previous Divrei Simcha on the Parsha, please go to www.divreisimcha.com OR www.chesedclub.com > Torah Study