Parshas Shmos

 This page is dedicated to categorizing and slightly expanding the blurbs of each article on the parsha. Instead of presenting here per how things were written chronologically (in the order of the years each was written), the goal is to divide in the order of the narrative's subject matter.

 Shmos:

Yaakov, Yosef and Family

Pharaoh's Initial Plan + Midwives

You People - When you only see people who are 'not like you' as 'the other' and can't refer to them as to who they are and what they bring to the table (because it's 'all bad' and they 'contribute nothing') society is doomed. Can it be that a group does nothing but take & take and never contribute and give back? Of course. That is a reflection of when two cultures simply have nothing in common and one wants to live off the backs and labors of the other, without doing anything that enhances society (see: fraud and certain '(illegal) immigrant populations' in the United States). If they were able to live together while Yosef was alive, there is no reason that should have changed after his passing, other than xenophobia. Especially if Israel had no long term plan to stay in Egypt or take over the country. What does this tell us about our own societies?

When Things Don't Go As Planned - pregnancy help resources. The role of Shifra and Puah is primarily one of serving mothers and protecting Israelite babies. For a weekend dedicated to raising awareness of the kinds of struggles some women go through with their pregnancy (whether in getting pregnant, financial struggles, hormonal challenges, or simply not sure if they can manage it all), we offer encouragement and some resources to help manage the struggle.

Midwives of the Hebrews - Jewish or Egyptian women? - the title says it all. An exploration of the identities of the names midwives, Shifra and Puah, and what their relationship to the Israelite community may have been. Were they insiders? Or Egyptian women who just loved babies?

Birth of Moshe

For These I Cry - We Can't Give up on Jewish children - one of the most troubling points of contention in the Jewish community in recent years has been over vaccination. What was once a private decision between a family and their doctor has become a "scarlet letter" attached to those who live their lives differently from others. Having heard stories of the sacrifices yeshivas made to be sure every child had access to a Jewish education after the Holocaust, hearing about families being thrown out of schools, shuls, communities over this issue (starting 2018 through Covid debates) is one I find troubling. Agree or disagree with them - there is no Torah proviso for this being a litmus test of belonging in the fold. Moshe Rabbenu's greatness was in defending the underdog. His sister protected him from afar, and advocated for him in the moment of truth, when the daughter of Pharaoh could have easily dumped him in the river, per her father's edict. Moshe was given the chance to become great. We owe it to ourselves to embrace all Jewish children and Jewish families, and not to have this very personal choice become the defining element of belonging.

Moshe as a Young Adult and Getting to Midian

Filling Gaps in Moshe's Formative Years - Different sources try to help us see a larger picture surrounding the person that is and became Moshe Rabbenu. Depending on which Midrash you take literally, the Torah's gap in Moshe's life spans anywhere from 40-60 years (depending how long he was in Midian). While not everything is meant to be accepted as "truth," the exploration is nonetheless worthy of our time. 

How Moshe Became a Man (איש) - A presentation of Moshe's coming of age through the focus on single words in the narrative - of growth, on the one hand, and the use of the word איש (man). Through rising to the occasion in a number of scenarios, we see Moshe's growth from being raised by Pharaoh's daughter to being one with a keen sense of right, wrong, and appropriate justice. 

Ish Mitzri - Looking Like an Egyptian - Moshe being referred to as an Ish Mitzri (by Yisro's daughters) may very well have been a reflection of his garb or demeanor. It may refer to something else too (see the article!). While Moshe is hardly to blame for having left Egypt with only the clothes he was wearing at the time of his escape, one wonders how much we might be viewed as a local version of "Ish Mitzri" in our host countries. While this is less a reflection on what kinds of garments are viewed as "Jewish clothes," it is more a reflection on what is considered a heightened sense of "Jewish presentation" - which is highlighted by the trait of modesty. 

Burning Bush

On the Doubling of the Name "Moshe Moshe" - a litany of fascinating insights into Moshe's name, why God called (or at least seemed to call) him twice. What his name means in different languages may also contribute to helping us understand the first calling he received at the Burning Bush.

Understanding Purpose in Life - Coming of Age - Moshe's continued refusal to take ownership of the task placed on him by God leads to a certain frustration God has with the future Lawgiver. What does it take to embrace one's calling in life?

The Stick that Points the Way to Honor God - In Moshe's encounter with God he is asked what he is holding in his hand. The answer - the מטה or staff - becomes a channel through which Moshe presents as a divinely-sent figure. Taking a homiletic leap off the page, the message here was for those who read from the Torah in the synagogue. Use a YAD!! The idea of pointing to the Torah's words is for the benefit of the person who has been called up for an Aliyah. Some people can read and have no challenge following. Many people who get an Aliyah have a hard time reading, or an almost impossible time following along. Be a helpful and humble mentsch and point to the words as you are reading!!

Why a Snake? - Moshe's staff turns to a snake before his eyes. Why? Was there a greater message associated with the image of a snake? Is it a message for Moshe? A message for Pharaoh? How far back must we go to associate a snake with a Divine message?

Doing Egypt a Favor - When we consider the cries for "reparations" nowadays, one wonders if "reparations" already took place when slavery ended, and whether those screaming for a quick payout are simply lazy practitioners of victim-mentality? In either case, calling for such a payout over 150 years after the events themselves is, to be most generous, an ask for legalizing stealing from people who had nothing to do with the events of 150+ years ago. In the case of Egypt, however, the argument here is that taking of Egypt's bounty was good for the Egyptians. 

Returning to Egypt

The Mysterious Hotel Incident - One of the more enigmatic narratives in the Torah opens the door to MANY QUESTIONS, most of which are left unanswered by the text. As to what the rabbis extracted from this story, and what we are to glean from the details that are so fleeting - that is in the eye of the beholder. 

Moshe, and MLK's Panorama of History - A reflection on the inspiring time in which Moshe lived, and what he was able to achieve.

First Encounter with Pharaoh and the Aftermath

The Human Side of Pharaoh - Taking Away Stereotypes (while not excusing bad behavior) - there is not much of a defense that we can mount for the extent of how Egypt took liberties with their being hosts of Israel during the Abrahamic-exile. All that being stated at the outset, one wonders of what drove Moshe's Pharaoh. Clearly he didn't start slavery, but he definitely made it worse and was as stubborn as possible in denying God's role and his own need to let the Israelites go as soon as possible. What drove Pharaoh? Is there a difference between when the Torah calls him Pharaoh vs Melekh Mitzrayim (the king of Egypt)?

Subtle Text Changes - נקרה v נקרא - How God "Appeared" to Moshe (and Aharon) - This exploration looks at how the instruction for what to say to Pharaoh seems to have changed in the spelling of one word. What is the difference between two words that sound the same to us, but which the Torah deliberately spells differently?

Your Burdens, Other Deeds and Actions of Value - Pharaoh's encounter with Moshe and Aharon gave him pause to think about the roles people play in society. It also gives us pause to wonder how much we play roles in the community, depending on what kind of job we have - blue collar, white collar, intellectual, etc. 

Moshe's Destiny - To Never Enter the Land - Rashi's last comment on the Parsha opens the door to a line of thinking that Moshe, despite every setback and difficulty, was in a unique position that would have NEVER ended him up in the land. This challenges everyone to consider the worth and value of life (priceless!) even if one does not reach what one considers to be personal goals.