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Parasha Shemot “Names”
9 JAN 2010
Shemot/Exodus 1:1-6:1
HafTorah:
Ashkenazic custom: Isaiah 27:6-28:13, 29:22-23
Sephardic custom: Jeremiah 1:1-2:3
Acts 7:17-29
And these are the names.
The book of Exodus begins by telling us the names of all of Jacob’s
children who went into exile in Egypt, where they grew into a numerous and
mighty nation. In conjunction with the end of the book of Genesis, it
follows the process from exile and slavery to freedom with mighty acts of
miracles.
Exodus means “going out” and has three main themes. They are liberation,
separation, and habitation (G-d dwelling with his people). As we read
this Parasha, we can see that all of us, whether now or in times past,
have lived in exile, apart from G-d and away from the promises he has
given to us.
Romans 9:25: “As he sayeth also in Hosea, ‘those who are not my people, I
will call my people, and her who was not beloved [then I will call] my
beloved.’ [Hosea 2:23] (Romans 9:26) And it shall be that in the very
place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ they shall be
called sons of the living G-d. [Hosea 1:10]”
As we read further in this Parasha, it tells of HaShem’s victory and
redemption of His people. They thought they were forgotten by their G-d,
but in His own time and by His own hand (Exodus 3:20), He delivered His
people and made them once again His own. They became a separated,
redeemed people in whose midst G-d came to dwell.
At His set time, He spoke to us as well (Hebrews 1:1-2) and He now dwells
in us, who are the living temple, living forevermore.
(1 Corinthians 6:19-20) So now we who have been bought with a price, let
us all live unto G-d by honoring Him, bringing glory to Him, in our
bodies, not being like the children of Israel who battled with His servant
Moses even from the beginning of the redemption. Let us all be like the
servant Moses, ready to be used of G-d for the building up of the body and
ready for the time of the great harvest.
Shavua Tov,
Rabbi Z.
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