Parasha Shemot (שמות) — Shemot 1:1 – 6:1. Read on Shabbat, January 2, 2027.
Summary of Parasha Shemot
After the death of Yosef and his brothers, the children of Israel multiply in Egypt. A new king, who did not know Yosef, enslaves them with hard labor. Pharaoh orders the midwives Shifrah and Puah to kill the boys at birth; they fear G-d and do not obey. Pharaoh then commands that every boy be cast into the river. A son is born to a family of the tribe of Levi; his mother hides him for three months, then places him in a basket among the reeds, while his sister watches. Pharaoh’s daughter takes him in and names him Moshe. Once grown, Moshe kills an Egyptian who was striking a Hebrew, then flees to Midian, where he marries Tzipporah, the daughter of Yitro. G-d hears the cry of the children of Israel. At Mount Horev, He appears to Moshe in a burning bush that is not consumed, and sends him to deliver His people. Moshe objects several times; G-d reveals His Name to him, gives him signs and appoints Aharon as his spokesman. On the way, Tzipporah circumcises their son. Moshe and Aharon gather the elders, then ask Pharaoh to let the people go. Pharaoh refuses and makes the labor heavier: from now on the Hebrews must find the straw themselves. Moshe complains before G-d, who answers that he will see what He is going to do to Pharaoh.
The Themes
- The birth of Moshe
- The burning bush
- The courage of the midwives
Rav Raphaël Benizri’s Lectures on Shemot
Study booklets for each lecture: questions for the Shabbat table
A Question for the Shabbat Table
Shifrah and Puah disobey the king to save lives: when is it right to say no to an authority?
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Summary by the Pensées Juives editorial team. The Rav’s teachings are found in his lectures, linked above.