B’eir Moshe: Shemot

The 23rd of Tevet is the Yahrtzeit of Rav Yehuda Aryeh Leib HaLavi Epstein, known as Reb Leibush of Ople (1837). Orphaned of his father, Rav Yechiel Michel Epstein, and his mother at a young age, Reb Leibush and his two younger brothers were supported by a simple Jew of Ostrovsta. He was a chasid of the Yid Hakadosh and the Chozeh of Lublin. He became Rav of Ozerov in 1812. His most famous descendent was Rav Moshe Yechiel Michel Halevi Epstein, the Aish Daas of Ozerov. We offer some insights from the B’eir Moshe of Ozerov in his honor and merit:

“He is greater and mightier than we.” (1:9) Pharaoh describes Israel in the singular because he understood the power of the nation when it was unified. He only feared them in their unity.

“They saw that he was good.” (2:2) They saw that through him all the good in the world would be completed.

“She named him Moshe.” (2:10) Moshe means who will pull, for she saw that he would pull the people from the waters of the sea.

“And he also drew, drew water from the well.” (2:19)  Not only did he draw water for us, but he will draw water for “Dalim” those who fall low and argue against him for water.

“Send someone who will be sent.” (4:13) Moshe refused to be the messenger for a redemption that would be followed by another exile. Send “b’yad” – D B Y – David Ben Yishai.