In the early hours of the 6th of Tammuz, 5736 (July 4, 1976), Israeli commandos executed a daring and precise rescue mission at Entebbe Airport in Uganda. Inspired by the incredible heroism and precision of the Entebbe raid, Yerachmiel Begun and his newly formed “Miami Choir Boys” released “Victory Entebbe,” the title track of their 1977 debut record.
Yisro couldn’t bring himself to sing songs of thanksgiving. The news gave him the chills! However, he was able to see that this was all the Yad Hashem, and it is for this reason that it is specifically through Yisro that we are shown the importance and significant implication of saying “Baruch Hashem.”
Both the brachos and the klalos are addressed in the plural form – the words of the parsha imploring us to internalize the actuality of our united soul, to understand that we actually NEED each other in order thrive, and thus strive to exhibit genuine kindness and compassion towards our fellow Jew – no matter what.
Yeshaya HaNavi (2:5) says it clearly, בֵּית יַעֲקֹב לְכוּ וְנֵלְכָה בְּאוֹר ה – Bais Yaakov, come let us walk in the light of Hashem. It is the Bais Yaakov, the women, who lead the way for their husbands and children, and maintain the spiritual light of our people. In the words of Sarah Schenirer, “Bais Yaakov” does not tell the Jewish woman that her place is at home, but that the Jewish woman IS the home.”
We have a mitzvah to remember Yetziyas Mitzrayim every single day – it is a mitzvah that profoundly permeates our individual practices, as well as our collective Jewish consciousness. At the core of this crucial commandment is the eternal mission of the Jew: to perceive and appreciate the undeniable presence of the Yad Hashem in each and every aspect of his life. With just a little training, one can see Hashem’s clear and undeniable orchestration in practically all of existence.
The time will come when the veil of nature will be removed, revealing once and for all Who is really behind it all. Bayom hahu yihyeh – and it will be on that day that the whole world will discover what we’ve known all along – Hashem Echad, u’Shmo Echad.
In one sentence, Dovid HaMelech shares with us the secret to success, and with it a message of hope to each and every one of us. Achas Shoalti, I have asked Hashem for only one thing – I have but one request. When all is said and done, no matter what distractions I am forced to do battle with today – underneath it all, I am in this fight for one reason, and one reason only.
“Sefira Music” is not meant to be a cheap substitute for music, rather should be music that helps invoke a spirit of change, repentance and improvement in the way we think and behave toward our fellow man. If the song makes you want to sit and sway with your arm over your friend’s shoulder, then it has accomplished its goal.
For the first time in six days, we have the ability to exhale. We are finally able to identify and testify that Hashem is the Creator of the world, and with that comes the serenity and bliss for which Shabbos is best known. To have such clarity – to know that He is the One in charge – is what rids us of our worries and allows us to experience both menucha AND simcha at the same time.
When we need inspiration, we turn to the words of Tehillim, and when we need that soul-stirring song to help us sing along, we turn to tunes of Yerachmiel Begun.