Welcome to Torah Thoughts from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa and based in Mason City. Before we get into this week's parsha know that we'll have services in January on Friday the 14th at 7:00PM and then our Midrash on Shabbat the 15th starting at 10:00AM. Hope to see you in shul.
Parsha Shemot
We now begin the Book of Exodus or in Hebrew Shemot. Shemot is Hebrew for "names" and comes from the first line, "And these are the names of the Children of Israel who were coming to Egypt; with Jacob each man and his household came." (Exodus 1:1) Wait! Were not the Children of Israel already in Egypt? After all, we just finished reading about Joseph and his brothers and Joseph died in Egypt. Why would the Torah backtrack and suggest that they were just "now" coming to Egypt?
The rabbis tell us this is a transition sentence. While Joseph was still living the Egyptians found favor among the Jews. Now that Joseph is dead the Egyptians regard the Jews as being from outside of the country. Strangers in a strange land and so the evil begins...
Fear - A Great Motivator
It is here were we begin to see a far too familiar pattern when it comes to the hatred of the Jewish People. "A new king arise over Egypt who did not know Joseph." (Exodus 1:8) And this new king teaches his people that the Jews are too many, too wealthy and implies that they are the problem. Instilling fear and loathing among the Egyptians. How many times have we seen this play out?
In every generation there arises a new king that must find a scapegoat for his own failings. For thousands of years that scapegoat has been the Jew. Yes, others are also included. They might be the Irish who were escaping the famine but then the Irish prospered and the despised were the Italians. Then the Italians prospered and the despised became the Jews of Eastern Europe. Or collectively the White People found ways to eradicate and enslave the indigenous people of America. Not satisfied, the majority culture imports slaves from Africa and that Original Sin is still with us.
In our own day we are told that migrants from other lands are taking our jobs and destroying our culture and we are to despise and fear them. It is an old and successful tactic and we should call it out whenever it happens.
The Plot
Pharaoh tells his people that the Jews are outsiders, even though they had lived in Egypt for a hundred years. And that, "...we must deal harshly with them". This is yet another familiar trop. What Joseph had done for Egypt no longer matters. This "what have you done for me lately" kind of anti-Semitism is another all to familiar phenomenon of Jewish history.
And so the plot begins. The first test is to gauge the patriotism of the Jews by building cities to safeguard the wealth of Egypt. The Midrash teaches us that even Pharaoh joined the work detail to show that "everyone must help Egypt in it's time of need". Once the "volunteers" were mobilized it was easy to move on to the next step.
Ramban comments that Pharaoh goal was not slave labor but the total extermination of Israel because he considered them a threat in the event of an invasion. But knowing the people of Egypt would not go along with the outright murder of the Jews, Pharaoh had to work the plot in stages because he needed the consent and cooperation of the Egyptians.
First was a labor tax reserved only for the Jews. Then ordering the midwives to secretly kill male babies. Then having every Egyptian throw the babies into the river. Finally sending soldiers to search all Jewish homes for hidden infants.
Does any of that seem...familiar?
But, There Is A But
Pharaoh has given his orders but at every turn there are disruptions. Those disruptions come to a head with the birth of Moses. The irony that Moses life was saved by the daughter of Pharaoh and that he was raised under the doting care of the very king that ordered his death is not lost on us. There is a verse in Proverbs 19:21. "Many designs are in a man's heart, but the only with the counsel of Hashem will they prevail."
The great lesson here is that G-d is in control. No matter how much we think we are in control and no matter how much a society thinks it is in control the real control is in the hands of Hashem. But...and this is key to our discussion, if we are not abiding with G-d and we fail to see the truth we are doomed to make the same mistakes as Pharaoh.
This is why we study and learn. Our goal is to peel back what we think we see and understand what is happening through the eyes of G-d. We have been created to honor Him and the best way we can do that is by being true to the Mitzvot...and do them.
Shul News
This past week we gathered at Adas Israel for the burial of Sharon Kropman. In testimony to the goodness of humans was the outpouring of love and care and compassion for her brothers, David and Elliot. From members of the congregation to friends and family things are being put in order for the surviving siblings. While I'm not permitted to offer details know that when humans are called on to do the right thing and it is done...G-d truly blesses those responsible.
Once again our January service will take place on Friday the 14th at 7:00PM and our Midrash will be on Shabbat starting at 10:00AM.
Shabbat Shalom and see you in shul!
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