Shemot 5786 Exodus The Patterns of Re-creation

ParshaShem ot opens with the Yisraelites multiplying in Egypt and becoming enslavedunder a new Pharaoh who fears their growth. Pharaoh orders the Hebrew midwivesto kill newborn boys, but they refuse, and a Levite woman hides her baby—Moshe—untilhe is discovered and adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter. As an adult, Moshe kills anEgyptian taskmaster and flees to Midian, where he marries Tzipporah. Whiletending sheep, he encounters YHVH in the burning bush and is commanded toreturn to Egypt to free the Yisraelites. Moshe and Aaron confront Pharaoh, whoresponds by increasing the Yisraelites’ workload, leaving Moshe discouraged asthe parsha ends with YHVH promising that redemption is about to begin.