Posted on 01/17/2017 12:33:05 AM PST by Read Write Repeat
This week we excitedly begin a new book of the Torah. When we read a book, any book, someone might ask us: "What is it about?" It is sometimes difficult to encapsulate a book in a short phrase or comment, but it is a task that forces us to think about the central messages and to examine the storyline of the book in question. This is true about the Torah as well. Many of our sages tried to give titles or themes for the books of Chumash. As we begin Sefer Shemot, we might want to think about the central theme, the content of Sefer Shemot. What is the motif of the Sefer?
In his introduction to the Sefer, the Ramban makes this comment:
"The Book of Shemot is dedicated to the first Galut (Exile) .... and to the Redemption from it."
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Next read in the Diaspora on 21 January 2017. Parashat Shemot is the 13th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading.
Torah Portion: Exodus 1:1 - 6:1
Upcoming
Parashat Vaera / פרשת וארא Next read in the Diaspora on 28 January 2017. Parashat Vaera is the 14th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading.
Torah Portion: Exodus 6:2 - 9:35
As always, all are welcome to discuss this week's Torah portion.
http://torah.org/torah-portion/perceptions-5775-shemos/
Why must redemption be such a long and difficult process? Why must it appear to fail and only later succeed? Why must the situation get worse before it gets better? Why must there be a storm before the calm?
It has to do with the way the world was set up at the beginning. Basically, there are two forces in Creation: Chesed and Gevurah, or Kindness and Strength. Chesed is the level of Divine light associated with blessing, whereas Gevurah is the basis of constriction, Divine judgment, and even evil. Chesed brings Divine light to life. Gevurah takes it away.
Oh man... You didn’t make it a caucus.... Stand by for alternative interpretations
Thank you. Very nice. I like his tie.
I like the idea of a sweet redemption (who doesn’t?) because it reminds me of what happened in Nineveh. Jonah was anticipating the worst, but God had a different idea.
In the NT, there is a warning of sorts about the “sign of the prophet Jonah”. Thus, in the grand ironic scheme of things... certain folks are expecting the worst, and they have made a big business out of the doom and gloom and horror and death and destruction.
So why not everything flipped over, opposite of expectations? :)
(Not that I trust Obama, but still..)
We’re not at my favorite Exodus parashat yet... patience...
The first full day of President Trump - Shabbat & Exodus.
Moses was the most humble, so the rabbis teach.
My Sister had sent me this she found online.
Might make for an interesting companion or at least a complement to your wonderful video.
Good read. I always wondered if the Voice was so loud, then a good chunk went partially deaf and had to be dealt with later. ;)
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