Weekly Sidra: Shemot (Names)
Torah Portion: Shemot /Exodus 1:1-6:1
Haftorah: Yermiyahu /Jeremiah 1:1-2:3

Shemot, Shemoth, or Shemos (שְׁמוֹת — Hebrew for “names,” the second word, and first distinctive word, of the parsha) is the thirteenth weekly Torah portion (parsha) in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading and the first in the book of Exodus. It constitutes Exodus 1:1–6:1. The Hebrew title for the book comes from the opening phrase of the book: “Now these are the names (shemot) of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob” (Exodus 1:1). Jews in the Diaspora read it the thirteenth Sabbath after Simchat Torah, generally in late December or January.

Last week we finished the first book of the Chumash – Bereshit. It began by describing creation of the universe through the generation of Noah, the lives of the patriarchs Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yakov, and their families. At the end of the book of Bereshit, Yakov’s son Yosef is second in command of all of Egypt, and Yakov’s whole family is in Egypt to escape a famine in the land of Canaan. That began the first exile of the Jewish people, the Egyptian exile.

The naming of the Book of Exodus: The English name Exodus comes from the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. The Greek title for the book is Exodus Aigyptou, which translates as “Departure from Egypt.” The name Exodus is an abbreviated form of that title. Exodus means “departure.” The book of Exodus tells the story of the children of Israel enslaved in Egypt and their miraculous redemption through the hand of Moses, the story of the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, the construction of the golden calf and the construction of the Tabernacle. As we study the first week’s reading from the book of Shemot, we find the children of Israel in slavery. It seems at first that the God of their forefathers has forgotten them. But God has not forgotten His promises. He remembers His promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and brings a Redeemer to their children’s children, for the sake of His name, with love.

Note: On the Shabbat the Torah Reading is divided into 7 sections. Each section is called an Aliya [literally: Go up] since for each Aliya, one person “goes up” to make a bracha [blessing] on the Torah Reading. Here are this week`s aliyot:

1st Aliya: The people of Israel had been in Mitzrayim since 2238. The Parsha begins as Pharaoh orchestrated the oppression of the Bnai Yisrael. Starting in 2362, with the birth of Miriam, the oppression began in earnest as newborn males were drowned in the Nile. The heroism of the two Midwives was rewarded. Va’t'chayena et HaY’ladim …and they gave life to the boys". The Midrash says that not only did the midwives defy Par’o by not killing the boys, they also were responsible for saving those that might have died during childbirth. It is natural that some babies do not survive birth. The midwives were concerned that if they happened to deliver a stillborn, it should not appear as if they had carried out Par’o's orders. Their prayers were answered, and miraculously none of the babies died. Thus they are credited, not just with assisting the births, but also with giving life to some of the babies.

2nd Aliya: Moshe’s birth and “basket river cruise” is detailed. He was adopted by Batya, the daughter of Pharaoh, and raised by his own mother, Yocheved.

Egyptian astrologers read in the stars that Israel’s redeemer was soon to be born. They recommended the systematic drowning of all baby boys (including non-Jews, since they were not sure of what nation this redeemer would come). When Moshe was floated on the Nile, the astrologers reported to Par’o that Israel’s redeemer was indeed "disposed of". As a result of this not quite accurate reading of the stars, Par’o withdrew the decree to drown the boys.

3rd Aliya: Moshe killed the Egyptian but was turned in by his own people. Forced to flee, he ended up in the house of Yitro. Moshe married Tziporah, Yitro’s daughter, and Gershon, his first son, was born. Meanwhile, back in Egypt, things get worse for The people of Israel. The year was approximately 2428, and Moshe was 60.

4th & 5th Aliyot: Moshe is tending Yitro’s sheep. An angel appears to him from a "burning bush that is not consumed". Moshe shies away; God calls to him. He tells Moshe that He has heard the screams of the People and that he is going to take them out of Egypt and bring them to a Land of Milk and Honey. The Midrash says that the entire conversation lasted 7 days. At its conclusion, Moshe, armed with the power of HaShem’s promise and the three “signs”, was prepared to confront Pharaoh.

6th Aliya: Moshe asked Yitro for permission to go on his mission. Along the way, HaShem attempted to kill Moshe, but Tziporah saves him by giving their son a Brit Milah. Aharon went to greet Moshe, as per God’s commandment. Moshe and Aharon met with the Elders and received their support. They gather the elders and Aharon tells them what is to happen.

7th Aliya: Moshe and Aharon unsuccessfully confronted Pharaoh. Pharaoh punished The people of Israel by refusing to supply straw for the making of bricks. The Jewish officers were held responsible and were beaten by the Egyptian overseers. The Jewish officers confronted Moshe and Moshe then confronted God. HaShem reassured Moshe that his mission would be successful.

Moshe and Aharon say to Pharaoh "Let my people go so they can serve God" and Pharaoh refuses. Immediately following this Pharaoh increases the burden of The people of Israel by no longer giving them straw to make bricks, yet insisting on the same quota of bricks being produced. Moshe sees how things had gotten worse for The people of Israel since he came, so he talks to God about it. God says that now you will see how, because of a strong hand, Pharaoh will let The people of Israel go.