Parashat Shemot 5763/2002
EJD
The Bagel: Oppression, rejection, and redemption. There is a pattern in the readings to be observed. Parashat Shemot begins with oppression and ends with the beginning of redemption. It is the middle part that is so difficult to deal with - the rejection part. Pharaoh rejected the testimony of Joseph (Exodus 1:8). Israel had a hard time believing Moses and blamed him for their trouble (Exodus 5:19-21). Then Pharaoh rejected Moses' plea to go and worship. An expanded outline of the pattern is in order:
- Oppression by Egypt (Exodus 1)
- Birth of Moses the savior (Exodus 2)
- Call of Shepherd Moses (Exodus 3)
- Equipping of Moses (Exodus 4)
- Moses/Israel rejected by Pharaoh (Exodus 5)
- Redemption begun (Exodus 6)
Roughly, the pattern can be seen in the Ashkenazi reading. Jacob sprouting like a plant in Isaiah's day is like the rise of Israel to prominence in Egypt (Exodus 1:9). This precipitated the oppressive measures by Pharaoh. Then Isaiah 28 speaks of the rejection of the word of God because of sin. Lastly, the Isaiah 29 portion speaks of future redemption of Israel.
For the Sephardic a slightly different pattern emerges: Jeremiah was called like Moses. Jeremiah hesitated like Moses. Judah rejected Jeremiah's message like Pharaoh did of Moses. Jeremiah reminded Judah of its espousal to God in Egypt during the Exodus.
The pattern most similar is that of the Brit Chadashah.
- Pharaoh saw Israel as threat - Herod saw Jesus as a threat
- Pharaoh sought to exterminate Israel - Herod sought to exterminate Jesus
- Moses the savior was born - Jesus the savior was born
- Call of shepherd Moses - Call of Jesus to be shepherd
- Moses/Israel rejected - Jesus rejected
- Redemption begun - Redemption completed
Before redemption can take effect there must be some driving force - some kind of oppression. Then it gets worse, for oppression can quickly turn into rejection. It is at the apex of evil that good will begin to triumph. Patience is needed.
Cream Cheese: Rejection or Redemption, which?
The weekly reading for the week of 23 Tevet, 5763 - Dec 28, 2002 Torah: Shemot Exodus 1:1 to 6:1; Haftarah: Isaiah 27:6 to 28:13, 29:22-23 (Ashkenazi) Jeremiah 1:1 to 2:3 (Sephardi); Brit Chadashah: Matthew 2:1-23, 3:1-2
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