B"H
Tuesday, Tevet 21, 5784 / January 2, 2024
The Torah reading this Shabbat is Parshat Shmot, which begins the Book of Exodus.
In this Parsha we will read about the enslavement of the Jewish people, (Children of Israel, as they are called in the Torah) in Egypt. We read about Moshe’s (Moses) birth and how G-d chose him to lead the Jewish people out of Egypt.
The name of the Parsha, “Shmot” means “names”. Parshat Shmot begins, “Ve’aileh Shmot Bnei Yisrael Habaim Mitzreimah” – “These are the names of the children of Israel who came to Egypt.” The Torah then mentions the names of Yaakov’s sons, who came with him to Egypt.
Q. Our sages ask, we already know, from a previous Parsha, the names of Yaakov’s children who came with him to Egypt. Why does the Torah repeat it in the beginning of this Parsha?
A. They reply: The Torah wants to emphasize that even in Egypt, they didn’t change their names. Just like they entered into Egypt with their Hebrew names, so too, throughout their two hundred and ten year stay in Egypt, they kept their identity and didn’t change their names. Thus, the Book of Shmot, which tells about the enslavement and Exodus from Egypt, begins with their Hebrew names, to tell us that due to their Jewish identity, they merited the Exodus.
Jewish identity is crucial to Jewish survival. It is not enough to be Jewish at heart, we also have to act and identify as Jews.
Q. Yehudahwas Yaakov’s fourth son. The tribe of Yehudah was one of twelve tribes. Most of the Jewish people do not come from the tribe of Yehudah, yet, we see that all Jews are called, “Yehudi.” This is so in many other languages; Yid, Yahud, Juden, etc. Why are all Jews called, “Yehudah”?
A. In last week’s Parsha, Yaakov blessed his children. He says to Yehudah, “Yehudah, your brothers acknowledge your greatness.” Says the Midrash, “Yaakov said to Yehudah, “Everyone will admit to your greatness and because of this the Jewish nation will be called by your name, “Yehudi/Yehudim.”
Also, the name Yehudah, has in it the four letters which spell G-d’s name. Every Jew is called, Yehudi, to emphasize that within every Jew rests G-d’s presence.
Another point: Yehudah means “praise” and “thanks.” The reason his mother, Leah, named him Yehudah is because she said, “I give praise to G-d for giving me a fourth son.” Leah felt that, with the birth of Yehudah, G-d gave her more than her share. She greatly appreciated G-d’s gift, praising and thanking G-d.
Rabbi Mendel of Kotzk explains, “Every Jew is called Yehudi, to teach us that a Jew has to understand and feel, that whatever G-d grants us is more than what we deserve. Such an outlook on life brings a person true and lasting happiness.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & YEAR 2024
WITH SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISRAEL