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Shabbat Parashat Lech Lecha| 5771Ein Ayah: The Special Status of Israel as “Firstborn”(condensed from Ein Ayah, Berachot 5:84)Gemara: In response to Bnei Yisrael’s claim: “Hashem has left me,” Hashem responded: “Would a mother forget ulla (her young child)?” (Yeshaya 49:15). Hashem was in effect saying: “I will certainly not forget the ollot (sacrificial offerings) and firstborn animals that you offered Me in the desert.” Ein Ayah: The main point behind the dor hamidbar (the generation that left The Nation of Israel will always have a special standing within the world. Even at a time when all the nations will act properly and recognize Hashem, we will still be “My firstborn son is The interpretation of Hashem’s response is to be explained as follows. “I will certainly not forget the ollot you offered before Me in the desert” refers to the fact that, already in the desert, Bnei Yisrael served Hashem, well before others did. Bnei Yisrael’s service of Hashem was in the desert, as inhabited lands were not then ready for such service, and we could have no impact upon them, as the nations were wild and entrenched in evil. The matter of bringing firstborn animals as sacrifices is to be understood as follows. The service of Hashem naturally should involve firstborns, whether it is service performed by firstborn men or the offering of firstborn animals. This hints at the special status of
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