Torah for Shevat

Overview of Prior Parshas:

The book of Shemot, or Exodus, which we started to read last month in Shevat, begins with a new Pharaoh in control of Egypt. ("Pharaoh" was the title of royalty given to all Egyptian monarchs just as Caesar was the title of royalty in Rome.) He felt threatened by the large population of the Children of Israel, and he devised a scheme in order to diminish their numbers. This is the first incident of anti-Semitism in Jewish history.

Pharaoh's decrees against the Hebrews became progressively more severe as time went on, leading to "Every son that will be born- you shall throw him into the river, and every daughter- you shall keep alive." Parshat Shemot tells the story of the birth of Moses/Moshe and his adoption by the Pharaoh's daughter. (With Divine irony, the child whom Pharaoh sought to destroy ended up being raised in his very own home!) Moses as a young man witnesses the brutal beating of a Hebrew slave, and he kills the Egyptian responsible. He is forced to flee from Egypt in order to save his life. He fled until he came to Midian and there he stopped at the central well [just as his great-grandfather Jacob had done many years before when he too fled from someone who wanted to kill him].

Moses becomes a shepherd and marries Zipporah. One day he saw a bush that appeared to be on fire, but the fire wasn't burning it. As Moses moved closer to investigate, he heard a voice call out to him. G-D called out to Moses from the bush telling him he was standing on holy soil. It was from this fiery bush that Moses received his mission to rescue the Children of Israel from Egypt.

Moses took his brother Aaron along with him to confront Pharaoh. As soon as Pharaoh was told that Moses had a message from G-D, he became angry and insolent. He refused to listen to the message of Moses and his brother Aaron. To show how fearless he was, Pharaoh increased the workload of the Hebrew slaves.

Brief Overview of This Month's Parshas:

Vaera - Exodus 6.2 - 9.35
The first of the plagues begin in Egypt. Blood filled the waters of the Nile, and then the river swarmed with frogs. Pharaoh's magicians were able to duplicate these wonders, but they could not create lice - the third plague. The sorcerers recognized this as "a finger of G-d." The plagues of wild beasts and cattle disease follow, though the Hebrews' livestock is not affected, then boils and fiery hail. Though several times Pharaoh promises to free the slaves, G-d hardens his heart and Pharaoh goes back on his word.

Bo - Exodus 10.1 - 13.16
G-d repeats His statement that He has hardened Pharaoh's heart in order to show His sign and wonders, so that all will know G-d's greatness. The plagues continue with numbers 8 and 9, locusts and darkness. Once again Pharaoh agrees to send out the Children of Israel and reneges, but "G-d grants the people [The Children of Israel] favor in the eyes of the Egyptians." Before the tenth plague, the bond now established between G-D and the Children of Israel, first Mitzvot/commandments from Him as a people.

Beshalach - "Shabbat Shira" Exodus 13.17 - 17.16
The Children of Israel begin their journey out of Egypt. Pharaoh along with his army pursues them, and as the Children of Israel are trapped at the Sea of Reeds G-d performs the great miracle of opening the waters to allow them to cross on dry land. The Children of Israel are moved to sing a song of praise, the first example of song in the Bible. They cross the sea into the wilderness where G-d begins the daily miracle of providing manna to eat. They gather food enough for each day, with a double portion of the sixth day so they could rest on the Sabbath.

Yitro - Exodus 18.1 - 20.26
Moshe's father-in-law, Yitro/Jethro, observes Moshe as he tries to solves the people day to day problems. Yitro suggests a system of judges which allows for trusted men to solve minor problems, saving major issues for Moshe.
The Children of Israel arrive at Mount Sinai and prepare themselves to receive the Ten Commandments.

Mishpatim - Exodus 21.1 - 24; 30.11 - 16
This portion continues with the revelation of civil law, showing us that righteousness includes attention to civic laws as well as ritual laws. The laws cover a variety of transgressions including theft, property damage, and immoral behavior. Mishpatim ends with Moshe ascending Mount Sinai to receive G-d's word in writing.