
This week we begin the second book of Torah, Exodus. We go from the personal histories of patriarchs and matriarchs, to the emergence of a people and the basic symbol of Judaism, the Wilderness experience. But first we meet the historical challenge of a new Pharaoh and a new set of rulers that see the Hebrews as too numerous and a threat and so we are introduced to the period of slavery. Out of this emerges the heroic figure of Moses.
This portion sees the birth and “call” of Moses and the famous incident at the burning bush where God’s name is revealed, so to speak, to Moses. We witness the transformation of Moses from his identification as an Egyptian to his identification with the Hebrews. As this story takes place, we can see some ideas that speak to our wold today.
There are commentaries that interpret Exodus 1 and the call to eliminate the Hebrew boy babies in a very different manner. Some see the giving of Egyptian names as a sign of gradual assimilation of the Hebrews. Could the power of Egyptian culture erase the Hebrew traditions? If you start by changing names, could that lead to a gradual decline in affiliation?
There is a very relevant and challenging comment by Rabbi Abraham Twerski in his “Living Each Week” that states: “a gradual erosion of ethics and values may very well begin with what may appear to be an innocent deviation from tradition. Tiny increments of alien enculturation could follow upon another, virtually imperceptibly, until separation from one’s value system is total”. (113).
Our generation may be seeing some of this. There seems to be a generational divide regarding formal affiliation with Judaism. Yet, there is a documented rise in interest in being Jewish, especially post October 7. We face the challenges of transition in this new post October 7 world. Interestingly, as we live through this transition, one thing seems to remain constant, the need for community and the need to be in relationship with like minded people. Community supersedes any theology. The power of community increases as we grow older. Even Moses responds to this call.
Shabbat shalom
Rabbi Richard F. Address
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