It’s the behind the scenes story behind one of the most important events in biblical history. The world knows about how Father YHWH gave to Moshe the Ten Commandments, but less well-known is that without the wise counsel of his father-in-law Jethro we would never even get to the this event! Explore the intimate discussion that leads to the most famous Torah utterance of them all!
It’s the behind the scenes story behind one of the most important events in biblical history. The world knows about how Father YHWH gave to Moshe the Ten Commandments, but less well-known is that without the wise counsel of his father-in-law Jethro we would never even get to the this event! Explore the intimate discussion that leads to the most famous Torah utterance of them all!
It may be the most iconic biblical image and miracle ever: The parting of the Sea of Reeds. And yet, as impressive as that moment was, it is not enough to inspire long-term loyalty of Israel to Father Yah or to Moshe! Still, at least for a moment, the awe of the Song of Moshe echoes loudly in our ears to inspire us today. Then they mysterious bread from heaven falls, and it is so amazing that the Israelites can only name it “what is it”? Then one epic battle with Amalek remains, and it is a chance for a young commander named Joshua to get some needed battle experience. It doesn’t get more exciting than this.
It may be the most iconic biblical image and miracle ever: The parting of the Sea of Reeds. And yet, as impressive as that moment was, it is not enough to inspire long-term loyalty of Israel to Father Yah or to Moshe! Still, at least for a moment, the awe of the Song of Moshe echoes loudly in our ears to inspire us today. Then the mysterious bread from heaven falls, and it is so amazing that the Israelites can only name it “what is it”? Then one epic battle with Amalek remains, and it is a chance for a young commander named Joshua to get some needed battle experience. It doesn’t get more exciting than this.
“Bo” means “go,” and that’s exactly what the Israelites do! After the last three plagues of locusts, darkness and killing the first born of Egypt do their damage, Pharaoh at last relents and lets Israel go. In the stunning aftermath of these events, the Pesach meal is instituted as an eternal memorial.
“Bo” means “go,” and that’s exactly what the Israelites do! After the last three plagues of locusts, darkness and killing the first born of Egypt do their damage, Pharaoh at last relents and lets Israel go. In the stunning aftermath of these events, the Pesach meal is instituted as an eternal memorial.
Va’Era means “and I appeared,” as in Abba YHWH explaining that He appeared to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and this thought of course follows from His introduction in Shemot that Moshe is a descendant of these people, “I am the El of your fathers.” After the initial “Bricks Without Straw” setback which happened last week, Moshe is strengthened to go back to Pharaoh though neither he nor his own people seem willing to do the right thing. Now also the “warning period” is over and Abba YHWH prepares to begin the real battle. After the signs of the serpent and the leprosy are given and Pharaoh refuses to listen, Moshe turns the Nile to blood and Egypt thirsts for 7 days. Plague after plague follows, along with failed attempts on Pharaoh’s part to either muddy the issue or distract Abba YHWH from His purpose. The portion ends with the plague of hail, but worse plagues are still in their future.
Va’Era means “and I appeared,” as in Abba YHWH explaining that He appeared to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and this thought of course follows from His introduction in Shemot that Moshe is a descendant of these people, “I am the El of your fathers.” After the initial “Bricks Without Straw” setback which happened last week, Moshe is strengthened to go back to Pharaoh though neither he nor his own people seem willing to do the right thing. Now also the “warning period” is over and Abba YHWH prepares to begin the real battle. After the signs of the serpent and the leprosy are given and Pharaoh refuses to listen, Moshe turns the Nile to blood and Egypt thirsts for 7 days. Plague after plague follows, along with failed attempts on Pharaoh’s part to either muddy the issue or distract Abba YHWH from His purpose. The portion ends with the plague of hail, but worse plagues are still in their future.
Shemot means “the names,” and it is almost impossible to do justice in a few lines to such a majestic portion. We begin with the set-up of “the Pharaoh who did not know Joseph” and who therefore enslaves the Israelites (probably Ahmose I). Despite an edict to kill all Hebrew male infants, Moshe escapes and is adopted by the Pharaoh’s daughter called “Bithia” by the rabbis, “Thermuthis” by Josephus or “Tarmuth” by the Talmud. Moshe is raised as a Prince of Egypt until he kills an overseer for beating a Hebrew slave. Then he flees to Midian and is given shelter by Jethro, priest of Midian, but it is in the wilderness outside of Midian that Moshe meets Abba YHWH for the first time as he climbs Mount Sinai. Abba YHWH reveals Himself and gives Moshe his true purpose—he is to return to Egypt and free the slaves. The portion though ends on a down note, with Pharaoh refusing and saying they must now make bricks without straw, so Abba YHWH warns a fearsome judgment is on the way.
Shemot means “the names,” and it is almost impossible to do justice in a few lines to such a majestic portion. We begin with the set-up of “the Pharaoh who did not know Joseph” and who therefore enslaves the Israelites (probably Ahmose I). Despite an edict to kill all Hebrew male infants, Moshe escapes and is adopted by the Pharaoh’s daughter called “Bithia” by the rabbis, “Thermuthis” by Josephus or “Tarmuth” by the Talmud. Moshe is raised as a Prince of Egypt until he kills an overseer for beating a Hebrew slave. Then he flees to Midian and is given shelter by Jethro, priest of Midian, but it is in the wilderness outside of Midian that Moshe meets Abba YHWH for the first time as he climbs Mount Sinai. Abba YHWH reveals Himself and gives Moshe his true purpose—he is to return to Egypt and free the slaves. The portion though ends on a down note, with Pharaoh refusing and saying they must now make bricks without straw, so Abba YHWH warns a fearsome judgment is on the way.
Vayechi means “and he lived,” referring to the 17 years Ya’akov would spend in Egypt before dying. The portion begins with Jacob making final arrangements to be buried in Canaan once he dies. Ironically, the portion ends with Joseph making those same arrangements but deferring final relocation until the Exodus. It seems that Joseph’s final vision then was his foretelling the time of Moshe. In between these events, Joseph’s sons Ephraim and Manasseh are introduced to Jacob and in a very ironic twist Jacob does intentionally the same thing his father Isaac was deceived into doing by blessing the younger son Ephraim ahead of elder Manasseh. After this, all tribes are given prophecies and blessings and the family of 70 souls make final settlement in Egypt.
Vayechi means “and he lived,” referring to the 17 years Ya’akov would spend in Egypt before dying. The portion begins with Jacob making final arrangements to be buried in Canaan once he dies. Ironically, the portion ends with Joseph making those same arrangements but deferring final relocation until the Exodus. It seems that Joseph’s final vision then was his foretelling the time of Moshe. In between these events, Joseph’s sons Ephraim and Manasseh are introduced to Jacob and in a very ironic twist Jacob does intentionally the same thing his father Isaac was deceived into doing by blessing the younger son Ephraim ahead of elder Manasseh. After this, all tribes are given prophecies and blessings and the family of 70 souls make final settlement in Egypt.