This Blessed Shabbos,our Parsha is 'Parshas Shemot' - "Ve'Eileh Shemot B'nei Yisra'el ," - "And these are the names of the Children of Israel."Interesting that the Torah mentions the words 'The Names of the Children of Israel," just before we go into slavery.How come,we are warranted to have it mentioned about our names as being part of coming to Mitzrayim?The word Mitzrayim means "borders" for it was a place that people living there were not just allowed to leave.Special permission had to be granted by Pharoah,before citizens were able to leave.Also,it was in reference to 'borders,' for it was a closed in place of a very low-the lowest at the time-spiritual level.In fact,to walk up to Pharoah's Throne,one had to traverse 49 steps signifying the 49 levels of impurity.No wonder Moshe reached the 49th gate of purity.
So,it was in such a place,that HaShem puts in His Torah,that "These are the names of Israel," as a reminder that no matter how closed in ,a Jew feels,no matter where a Jew is,a Jew must always be,the Name Israel-a Jew. A Jew,no matter they are,must keep Shabbos and the Torah,no matter what the other nations do.No matter how a Jew may wish to fit in with the rest of the world around them.A Jew must never give up his or her heritage and tradition.A Jew must always be a Jew and keep the beautiful name of Israel that HaShem Blessed us with.It is so sad when Jews let go of who they are, because they feel the depth of HaShem's sweet truth and Torah may no longer be applicable anymore Chas Ve Shalom.Nothing could be further from the truth.HaShem is beyond Eternal and HaShem's Truth IS Truth.The is No HaShem but HaShem.There is no way but HaShem's way. There is no Creator but HaShem.There is no other correct Law,but HaShem's Law.There is no right way to live,but HaShem's way.Only HaShem is the real Truth.It is when we keep the very sweetness of who we are,that we can truly be called Israel.For when we live up to all HaShem asks us to live up to and do,then we can finally carry HaShem's Name ,for as the verse says,"V'Eileh Shemot B'Nei Yisrael," within listening -'Shema,' to HaShem - we carry the Name (Shemot) of HaShem.If we take the word "Shemot" Gematrically it comes to 746 - which is 7+4+6 =17 and 17 is 1+7 =8 which is the same value as HaShem's Name - "Yud Key Vav Key,' (26 which is 2+6 =8).So let us do what HaShem requests of us for only HaShem knows (in Creation) was is necessary to do for HaShem Created and continues Creating all things)I wish HaShem with deepest love,a beaitiful sweet and lovely Shabbos Kodesh and I wish all with love,a beautiful sweet and lovely Shabbos Kodesh.