Author: Shlomo Bar-Ayal

Morality which is not based on religion will lead to disaster. This is not to say that religion based morality can not be abused but a good religion will produce good people based on moral principles.

No where in the Torah does it just say to be a good person. It gives commands, that if followed will make one a good person.

As the Jews were getting ready to receive the 10 Commandments, they were commanded to wash their clothes. That they had to be appropriately dressed. This is to teach us that how we dress makes a difference.

Jethro is the source for the Jewish judicial system. What is amazing is that Moses took Jethro’s advice, both because he was a non-Jew and his father in law. This shows us that a truly great leader knows that he does not have all the answers.

If a person wishes to live among Jews but not be a part of the Jewish nation, he has to accept the 7 Noahide laws, which means he has to accept the idea that the Torah is the supreme law of the land.

Amalek struck when the Jews were complaining. They sensed that the Jews were divided. This is true of all our enemies. They believe that if we are fighting among ourselves then we are weak.

We learn that Moses was concerned with honoring Joseph’s wish to be buried in Israel. This is to teach us that we have to honor those who came before us.

God caused the Red Sea to be split with a strong wind. Why didn’t He just split it in an open miracle? The answer is to teach us that miracles are all around, all we have to do is to be aware.

After all that the Jews saw in Egypt and the Sea of Reeds, they were complaining that God was not supplying them with what they wanted. Those who complain but do not offer solutions are whiners and God does not want to be whiners but doers.

At the sea Moses begins to pray for God to save the people from the Egyptians. God replies, “quit yelling and take action.” This is to teach us that God wants us to act, not just pray.