B"H

Friday, Tevet 22, 5777 / January 20, 2017

This Shabbat we begin reading the second book of the Torah, the Book of Exodus – Shmot.

Although it is commonly called, Exodus, yet, the story of the Exodus will be told in the third Parsha of the Book of Shmot - Parshat Bo.

In this week’s Torah portion we read about the enslavement of the Jewish people and the difficulties they experienced in Egypt and about Pharaoh’s decree to drown every Jewish boy that was born.

We also read how Moshe was shepherding his father-in-law’s sheep when G-d called on him from the burning bush to go to Pharaoh and command him to let the people go.

Next week we will read about the plagues which G-d brought on the Egyptians for refusing to let the children of Israel go free. Then, in Parshat Bo, we will read about the actual Exodus.

Q.Did Moshe immediately accept the role of becoming leader of the Jewish people?

A.The Torah goes into detail how Moshe was very reluctant to accept his role. He protested that he was hard of speech and wouldn’t do justice in delivering G-d’s message. He suggested that Aaron was older than him and would be more suitable for this mission.

G-d reminded Moshe, "Who gave man a mouth? Who makes a person dumb or deaf? Who gives a person sight or makes him blind? Is it not I - G-d? Now go and I will be with your mouth and teach you what to say." It took seven days until Moshe agreed to accept his mission.

Moshe was the greatest leader of the Jewish people. It tells us that the quality of great leadership is not when one pushes himself to be a leader. Moshe’s greatness was in his humility,as the Torah later testifies about Moshe that he was the most humble person upon the face of the earth. That is the quality of leadership.

Q.  The Torah begins describing G-d's revelation to Moshe with the words, "And Moshe was attending to the flock of his father-in-law, Yitro." What is the connection between Moshe's attending to the flock and G-d's choosing him as the leader of the people of Israel?

A.The Midrash explains that both Moshe and King David showed extra devotion and care to the individual needs of the sheep in their flocks.

G-d said, "If they are so devoted to the sheep in their flocks, they will certainly care for the individual needs of My people!" This is why G-d chose them to lead His people.

SHABBAT SHALOM

Montreal candle lighting time: 4:27 / Shabbat ends: 5:36