We revise briefly the last Mishnah that appears in the first Perek (chapter) of Gemara Berachot. Rabbi Elazar ben Azaryia laments that he was not successful in implementing the recital of the third paragraph of the Keriat Shema in the evening Shema, until Ben Zoma came around with an explanation of proof as to why we must recite it.
The Sages debate against Ben Zoma’s proof that the third paragraph should be recited in the evenings. They hold that his proof relates to the fact that when Moshiach (the Messiah) comes, then we will also have to recite the Shema. Meaning – evening in those days, we will recite that third paragraph. Essentially the argument and discussion revolves around the redemption from Egypt and whether we should recite it in the evening Shema – or according to the Sages – we will recite it when Moshiach comes and we enter into a new state of the world’s existence.
The Gemara launches into a discussion about what redemption really means in terms of the way in which we relate to previous exiles. The Gemara states that really, we only speak about the previous exile – the one that is closest to us. As a result, when Moshiach comes, we won’t in fact be thinking about the exile in Egypt. Rather, we will be remembering the exile that we were in just before our freedom – which is really the exile we are in currently!
The Gemara discusses different names that our ancestors were called by and whether if by using a previous name (compare with the idea of remembering the previous exile…) we are transgressing a Mitzvah. After all, shouldn’t we always refer to the new name that a person is known by – and forget how they were known as in the past?
The chapter concludes by informing us that there are times that reference is made to our forefather Avraham as Avram (as he was known before his name was changed) but that the prophet who referred to him in this way, did so to specifically make a particular teaching relevant. It was not meant to show any disrespect or go against any Mitzvah of the Torah.
!הדרן עלך מאימתי
