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SHEMOT

Exodus 1:1-6:1

Isaiah 27:6-28:13; 29:22-23

Acts7:17-29

As we begin a new book of the Torah, Exodus, we find our ancestors enslaved in Egypt.  Then a great miracle!  Moses is born to the household of Levites.  He is the man who G-d will call to free his people.  This is a story of how G-d rescued His people, redeemed them and brought them forth to the land promised to Abraham four hundred years earlier.  Exodus is a book of freedom and Moses was G-d’s man to give forth His commandments.  He was the first prophet and law giver to the Jewish people.

Last week’s portion ends with the death of Joseph and his brothers.  This week we find a new Pharaoh.  Unlike the Pharaoh during the time of Joseph who wanted to bless the descendents of Joseph and give them land and security, this Pharaoh had a Jewish problem.  He saw the Jewish people as a threat to his kingdom.  He was afraid.

In each generation that shall follow, heroes arise to bring freedom from tyranny.  During this time, the chosen one is Moses.  During the time of Purim, Mordecai and Esther are chosen.  During the Macabee period, Judah and his family are the deliverers.  Throughout the generations, however, everyday people, who seem to have no distinction, choose to obey G-d, rather than men, and are raised to the standard of hero (Acts 5:29).  The Jewish midwives risked their own lives to save the lives of the Hebrew babies born under threat of death.  Daniel and his three friends stood for G-dly principles and brought great testimony upon the Most High G-d.  In recent history, righteous individuals put their own lives at risk in order to save Jewish people during the Holocaust.  Throughout the ages, martyrs, standing firm on their faith in G-d, perished at the hands of evil men.

Exodus is a book in which G-d’s mercy and faithfulness can bountifully be seen.  Also, G-d’s people begin to learn obedience by trusting in Him and having faith in His promises.  They are the bearers of trust, freedom and the hope of the fulfillment of the Promised Land.

Especially during our day, G-d is looking for faithful servants to do His bidding.  Just as Moses stood in the gap for G-d’s people before Pharaoh, so G-d is looking for those who will stand in the gap for His people today.  All those who declare that they will hear and obey the Word of the Lord need to seek His face diligently.

SHAVUA TOV

Rabbi Z.

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