Shemot
Ex. 1:1 - 6:1
Précis: With this parasha, we begin the second book of the Bible, Exodus. In Hebrew, the title for this book is “Shemot” (names) because the first verses begin with a listing of “names” of the Israelites who came down to Egypt with Jacob, to dwell in Goshen in response to Joseph’s and Pharaoh’s offer.
A new Pharaoh has arisen who “does not remember Joseph.” He enslaves the Israelites and orders the killing of all male children. A Levite male child is born, is hidden by his parents, and is sent down the river in a reed basket where he is saved by Pharaoh’s daughter. He is subsequently identified as Moses.
Nothing appears in the text about Moses’ childhood, other than that he is raised in the house of Pharaoh. As an adult, Moses witnesses a taskmaster beating a Hebrew and slays the taskmaster. Next, he witnesses a fight between two Hebrews. When he attempts to intervene, one Hebrew mentions Moses’ killing of the Egyptian. Fearing disclosure, Moses flees to the desert.
There, Moses becomes a shepherd in the camp of Jethro, a Midianite “priest.” He encounters the burning bush and learns God’s “name.” Moses receives his charge to free the Israelites and is provided with signs to authenticate his mission. Before leaving Jethro, Moses marries Zipporah and they have a child. Moses and his brother Aaron go before Pharaoh and ask that the people be freed to worship God in the desert. They are refused, and the burdens are increased on the slaves, who become angry with Moses for his interference. The parasha ends with God telling Moses, “You now will see what I will do to Pharaoh.”
Ex. 1:8 “Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph.”
Is it really possible that the king would be unaware of how Joseph saved Egypt? It is more likely that his incredible contribution faded from memory over time after his efforts were no longer needed. Is this so hard to imagine?
It happens all the time to us, today. In our own lives, there are people who have helped us significantly. Perhaps a teacher, a mentor, or a parent. Yes, we thanked them (indeed we might have expressed our deepest appreciation and gratitude to them at the time) But as time elapsed, perhaps we began to “forget” them, and as more and more time goes by, we may totally have erased their important contributions to us. I would suggest that there is more to real gratitude for what others do for us is than a contemporaneous expression of thanks. The real way to show our appreciation is to remember and express our appreciation long after help is provided.
It may be a cliché to say that we stand on the shoulders of giants. Perhaps we should remember those “giants” whose support enabled us to achieve modest success when we can. Sometimes it has become too late to say thanks again to someone who has enriched us immeasurably, but is no longer with us. Our tradition places a great emphasis on the need to remember; why not remember someone who helped you along the way and express your thanks once again?
