This is the first parsha in the book of Shemot (Exodus). The word "shemot" means "names." The parsha begins with the names of Jacob's sons. It tells us that after they died a new Pharaoh, who did not know Joseph, comes to power.

This Pharaoh fears that the Jewish people are getting too numerous and might side with Egypt's enemies. Thus, he orders that they be enslaved and that all newborn male babies be killed at birth. The midwives Shiprah and Puah refuse to carry out this order. [The torah does not often use names where there is no importance, but uses these two Egyptians names. Why do you think that this is so?] All male babies are then ordered to be drowned.

One mother, defying the order, places her son in a basket (an ark) and sets him in the river. Pharaoh's daughter rescues him from the river and "adopts" him. Miriam, the boy's sister, sees this and rushes to the Pharaoh's daughter and asks if she needs a wet nurse. She says yes, so Miriam gets her Mom, the biological mother of the baby boy. The boy is named Moses, which means "drew" him out of the water.

Moses [Moshe] grows up in the house of the Pharaoh. One day, Moshe sees a Hebrew slave being beaten by an overseer. Becoming enraged, Moshe slays the Egyptian and buries the body. He learns in the next few days that he was seen and, fearing for his life, escapes into the wilderness. Moshe flees to Midian in the southern Negev. There is meets Jethro, a local priest and shepherd, who has many daughters. Moshe marries Zipporah and they have a son named Gershom, meaning "I have been a stranger in a foreign land."

Life isn't bad for Moshe in Midian. One day, while tending the flock, Moshe sees a bush that burns without being consumed. Being curious, Moshe approaches and G-d speaks to him. He is told to return to Egypt to free the Israelites from bondage. Moshe is skeptical and questions G-d about choosing him to be the representative of G-d. G-d reveals to Moshe His name, "I will be what I will be." Moshe, still concerned, states that he is "slow of speech and tongue." G-d tells him that his brother Aaron will speak for him.

Moshe returns to Egypt. Aaron and Moshe approach Pharaoh and ask him to allow the Israelites to celebrate a festival. Pharaoh refuses and further, in retribution, orders the taskmasters to increase the work and punishment of the slaves. The Israelites complain to Moshe and Aaron. Moshe turns to G-d and asks, "What now?!" G-d assures him that the people will be liberated.

Gleanings:

1. Civil disobedience can change history.
2. Moses, though showing anger, also is humble.
3. G-d works in ways that we don't understand. Have faith but don't be afraid to question.

The Parsha begins with G-d saying to Moshe, "Va'era...", "And I appeared to Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov." Moshe returns to the people and says that they will be freed, but the Israelites have been spiritually devastated by slavery, and they do not believe him. G-d commands him to go to Pharaoh and tell him to free the slaves. Moshe answers, "How will Pharaoh listen to me when the Israelites won't?" G-d tells him, "I will take care of it." G-d will harden Pharaoh's heart, and He will punish the Egyptians.

Moses goes before Pharaoh with Aaron. Aaron wants to show G-d's superiority and throws down his staff. The staff turns into a serpent. Pharaoh's magicians follow this with their own version and their plan is not working. They approach Pharaoh again at the Nile. Aaron waves his staff and the Nile turns to blood. Again, the magicians seem to match the act. Next, frogs are brought by G-d and are matched by the Egyptians. Pharaoh asks Moshe to have G-d remove the frogs and promises that, in return, he will grant freedom to the children of Israel - but Pharaoh reneges on his word. At this point, G-d shows His mastery by bringing lice. The Egyptian magicians cannot match this. Their power has ended. The next four plagues are insects, death of livestock, boils and hail. Thus we have seen the first seven plagues.

Midrash - Last week, in Parshat Shemot, G-d chose Moses as the leader. A question can be asked as to why G-d selected Moses to be his emissary to Pharaoh and leader of the children of Israel. There are some significant characteristics that Moses exhibits that can help to explain this choice. First, Moshe is a champion of the underdog. He believes strongly in protecting those in trouble. He comes to the rescue of the slave being beaten by the Egyptian, the two slaves arguing, and to Jethro's daughters at the well. No matter what the nationality of the people, Moshe is there to resolve the situation. Second, Moshe was not afraid of the burning bush. Third, he grew up in the Pharaoh's household and did not have a slave mentality.

Gleanings:

1. The word "bad" can be replaced with "bitter" as good things often follow - e.g., bitter tasting medicine leading to health.
2. The Torah uses different names for G-d. When "Elohim" is used, it indicates an attribute of stern judgment.
3. We begin to see Pharaoh's duplicity.

The word "bo" is from the first word of G-d's command to Moshe: "Go [bo] to Pharaoh." Moses and Aaron continue their pleadings to let the Israelites go free. Pharaoh continues to refuse and has the final three plagues visited upon his people and country. The remaining plagues are locusts, darkness, and the death of their firstborn. Upon the implementation of the final plague, Pharaoh finally acquiesces and tells Moshe to leave with the children of Israel.

Moshe leads the people out of Egypt. The Israelites, before the final plague, had sought silver and gold from the Egyptians. Moshe was commanded by G-d to tell the Israelites "to borrow, each man from his neighbor and each woman from hers, objects of silver and gold."

G-d has commanded the people to recall their liberation each year with a special commemoration ceremony. Each household is to select a lamb on the tenth day of the month of Nisan and slaughter it at twilight on the fourteenth of the month. Its blood is to be painted on the doorposts of each family's house, and its meat is to be roasted and eaten with unleavened bread [matzo] and bitter herbs during the night so that it is consumed by morning. Anything left by morning is to be burned. G-d also commands the Israelites to eat only unleavened bread for seven days. All leaven is to be removed from their homes, etc. The first and seventh days are to be set aside for a solemn gathering of the community. As with the Sabbath, no work is to be done on them.

Gleanings:

1. Everyone has a breaking point.
2. Reparations were made by the Egyptians for the years of slavery.
3. Remembering and celebrating the Exodus is a biblical commandment.
4. Pesach is a re-telling and a re-living of the Exodus - "lest we forget."
5. "Let my people go!" becomes a rallying cry for any group who feels or is subjugated.

The parsha takes its name from the second word of the Torah portion, "b'shalach" - "when he sent forth." It refers to Pharaoh's decision to free the slaves. Pharaoh's decision is short lived as he decides to persue the Israelites into the desert. When the Israelites see the Egyptian army approaching they feel that Moses has only succeeded in leading them to their death in the desert.

G'd parts the waters of the Sea of Reeds [overnight, as opposed to Charlton Heston's feat] and the Children of Israel cross the next morning. The Egyptians give chase and drown as the waters return.

A great celebration ensues with songs of praise to G-d. The journey through the desert begins and the Israelites' short-term memory loss rises. They complain to Moshe about having no water to drink nor bread to eat. G-d provides water and manna. [Later, the Israelites will complain about this, too!]

While they are in the desert, the rear of the Israelites is attacked by Amalak and the Amalakites. Children, women, the infirm, and the old are slain. Joshua, appointed by Moshe, destroys the Amalikite forces.

Gleanings:

1. The Israelites escape from Egypt could be called a "miracle." However, we know it is G-d's workings.
2. The Israelites complained in the desert.
3. The cowardice of Amalek's attack upon the Israelites.

The journey continues in the Sinai desert. Moses had returned to Egypt without his wife and children. Jethro (Yitro), his father-in-law, when he hears that Moshe has freed the slaves, brings Zipporah, Gershom and Eliezer to the Israelite encampment. Moshe, in his leadership position is the recipient of everyone's problems. This begins to weigh him down in minor issues. Yitro, upon seeing this, suggests that Moshe find trustworthy people and share the leadership burden. Moshe agrees and names righteous leaders in each tribe to take care of deciding these everyday situations. The organization that Jethro proposed and Moses created is still reflected by today's military hierarchy.

Three months of wandering bring the Israelites to Mount Sinai where they set up camp. Moshe climbs to the top where G-d speaks to him and provides him with the Torah and the Ten Statements (or Commandments). At the camp below the people see lightening and hear thunder. They keep their distance while Moses is away.

Gleanings:

1. Sharing leadership is often a necessity and should be pursued.
2. Something special is occurring at Mount Sinai.
3. The delivery of the Ten Commandments:
   a. I am the Lord your G-d
   b. You shall have no other G-ds
   c. You shall not swear falsely using my name
   d. Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy
   e. Honor your father and mother
   f. Do not murder
   g. Do not commit adultery
   h. Do not steal
   i. Do not bear false witness against your neighbor
   j. Do no covet anything belonging to your neighbor
4. The Torah tells of the arrival of Jethro right after the attack by Amalek. This tells us that all non-Jews are not evil or bad. Also, the commandments are given in this portion named for Moshe's father-in-law.

Mishpatim are the "rules" or "laws" that govern the ancient Jewish community. The code of law deals with a myriad of areas, including but not limited to:

• treatment of slaves
• crimes of murder and kidnapping
• personal injuries
• damages through neglect or theft
• offenses against others through lying, witchcraft, idolatry, oppression, or unfair business practices
• unjust treatment by judges

We are also warned against following others to do evil. We are to care for distressed animals, even belonging to our enemies. We must show impartiality in making judgments. Paramount is to show kindness to strangers as we were strangers in Egypt. Last, the portion delineates rules for the Sabbath, sabbatical year, Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkoth. When Moses hears these laws, he gathers the people together and declares, "All the things that G-d has commanded we shall do!"

Gleanings:

1. Keeping G-d's commandments is important!
2. Caring for the stranger is a mitzvah.
3. Rules and laws must be further defined to allow people to understand how to act in a correct manner and to avoid transgressing.

This Parasha is concerned with the building of the first sanctuary, or the Tabernacle. G-d commands the Israelites to do this while they are still in the desert. Moses instructs each person that G-d says, "to bring Me gifts; you shall accept gifts for Me from every person whose heart so moves him [25:1-2]." The gifts could be precious metals, fine linen, crimson yarns, oil, spices, precious stones, &c. G-d then says to Moshe, "and let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them." G-d provides detailed "blueprints" to Moshe for the building of the sanctuary. Moshe is also instructed to build a seven-branched Menorah, or "lamp stand," of pure hammered gold.

Gleanings:

1. Terumah means gifts.
2. G-d commands tzedakah to the poor but only asks for voluntary gifts for the mikdash (sanctuary). (G-d doesn't need gifts; the poor need assistance)
3. The table in the mikdash has the twelve loaves of bread (honoring the twelve tribes) that represent the physical aspects of life.
4. The Menorah represents the spiritual aspects of life.
5. Maturity is not limited to intellectual progress, but requires that spirituality becomes the goal of life, and physical needs only the means.
6. There is a place for G-d in all of us; we must make it open for G-d to enter. "G-d dwells wherever we let G-d in."

This week's Parasha continues the delineation of the details for erecting the mishkan. The commandments to create a ner tamid, "a constantly burning light" above the sanctuary ark, and to appoint Aaron and his sons as Priests to manage the sacrifices offered in the sanctuary are elucidated here. The clothing for Aaron, the High Priest, is included. He is to wear an ephod, a breastplate, a robe, a fringed tunic, a headdress, and a sash. The ordination ceremony for a Priest is described as well as instructions for slaughtering the offerings. The Parasha ends with directions for building an altar for burning incense before the ark.

Gleanings:

1. The ner tamid can represent different perspectives:
1. The light of Torah; the light of wisdom and faith.
2. The lasting of the Jewish people despite persecutions.
3. G-d is the source of light.
4. Love, kindness, and generosity are brought into the world by those who carry out the commandments and teachings of Torah.
2. The Urim and Tummim are divining devices to by utilized by the Priests to answer questions requiring divine responses. The actual nature of these items is not revealed.

Ki Tisa has two distinct subjects: mishkan and back at Mount Sinai. First, G-d instructs Moses to take a census of the community and to collect a half-shekel from every person over twenty years of age. He is also instructed to make a copper container, fill it with water, and place it in the sanctuary. It will be used by the Priests to wash themselves before approaching the altar. A special anointing oil is also to be made for consecrating the furniture of the mishkan. The mishkan and its contents are very important, so G-d tells Moshe to appoint Betzalel, a skilled artisan, to supervise the creation of the sanctuary furnishings and the priestly garments. Finally, G-d instructs Moshe that observing the Sabbath celebrates the covenant between G-d and the children of Israel.

The second part of the Parasha returns us to Mt. Sinai. Moses stands on Mt. Sinai with the two tablets of commandments given by G-d. Meanwhile, forty days have passed and many of the people are becoming restless and afraid. People approach Aaron and demand he have a "Golden Calf" built for them to worship. For reasons only Aaron truly knew, he collected gold from the people, threw it into the fire and "out popped" a golden calf. (The cow was an object of worship for Egyptians.) On Mount Sinai G-d tells Moses what is transpiring and threatens to destroy the Israelites and all who came out of Egypt. Moshe implores G-d to avert his anger. Yet, when Moshe comes down and sees what is happening, he shatters the tablets given by G-d.

Moshe enters the camp and destroys the golden idol. The Levites are allowed to slay those that participated in erecting and praying to the calf. Those not slain by the Levites and who participated in the reveling with the calf were slain by a plague from G-d. Moses is to carve two new tablets and to ascend Mount Sinai once again.

At this point, G-d commands the Israelites to observe Pesach, Shavouot and Shabbat.

Gleanings:

1. Have patience and faith.
2. Control your anger as you expect others to control theirs.
3. G-d will be with us.
4. Let your anger dissipate before going "amongst those who anger you."

The parshiot Vayakhel and Pekudei are combined when there are not sufficient Shabbatot in a year. In each parasha there are seven designated portions. These are read separately in the years when each parasha is assigned on its own Shabbat, or read in conjunction with another when the parshiot are combined.

Parasha Vayakhel repeats the commandment to observe the Shabbat with an emphasis about doing no work on that day. We are reminded that Moshe asks the Israelites to donate gifts of gold, silver, copper, precious stones, fine linen, wood, oil, or spices to be use for building the mishkan. Bezalel and Oholiav are appointed to oversee the construction of the sanctuary. The people are so generous that Moshe finally must ask them to refrain from any more donations. Skilled craftsmen work on the cloth, planks, bars, curtains, screens, lamp stands, altars, and priestly garments of the sanctuary.

Gleanings:

1. Shabbat allows no work.
2. We should give freely and generously.

Parasha Pekudei describes the records kept of the work and materials used in construction of the mishkan. The donations of the people were also recorded. When the mishkan is complete, Moshe and the Israelites joyfully celebrate. G-d's presence fills the sanctuary and He begins to lead the people on their wanderings through the wilderness.

Gleanings:

1. Public officials must keep careful records.