B"H

Tuesday, Tevet 14, 5785 / January 14, 2025

This Shabbat we will begin reading the Second Book of the Torah – S’hmot (Exodus).

In this Parsha we will read about the beginning of the Egyptian Exile and the enslavement of the Jewish people in Egypt (Mitzrayim).

We will read about the birth of Moshe (Moses), who would become the leader of the Jewish people. He would eventually lead them out of Egypt and be with them throughout their 40-year journey in the desert.

The Parsha begins, “These are the names of the Children of Israel who came to Egypt, together with Yaakov, each came with his household…. All the people who came from Yaakov were seventy souls, and Yosef was already in Egypt.”

Q. The Torah had already mentioned in Parshat Vayigash all the names of the descendants of Yaakov who came with him to Egypt, and that their number was seventy. Why does the Torah repeat it again here?

A. Our sages explain that it is mentioned again in the beginning of the Book of S’hmot, where we will eventually read about the Exodus. The Torah wants to show us that although Jews were oppressed and enslaved for all these years in Egypt, yet, from only 70 people, who came into Egypt, they multiplied into 600,000 men over the age of 20, besides the women and children- a total of a few million people.

Q. How many years after Yaakov and his family moved to Egypt did the actual enslavement begin?

A. As long as Yaakov or one of Yaakov’s sons, especially his son Joseph, who was ruler of Egypt, were alive, the Children of Israel were free. Only after the last of Yaakov’s sons passed away did the Egyptians enslave the Jewish people. 

Of Yaakov’s sons, Levi lived the longest, 137 years. He was 43 when he came to Egypt and lived in Egypt 94 years. From when Yaakov came to Egypt until the Exodus was 210 years. If we deduct 94 from 210 we are left with 116 years. Thus, the total amount of years of enslavement was 116 years.

Q. How many years after coming to Egypt was Moshe born?

A. Moshe was 80 at the time of the Exodus. If we deduct 80 from 210 we have 130. Thus, Moshe was born 130 years after Yaakov and his family moved to Egypt.

Q.How old was Moshe’s mother, Yocheved, when she gave birth to Moshe?

A.Moshe’s mother, Yocheved, was born as Yaakov and his children came to Egypt. Thus, Yocheved was 130 when she gave birth to Moshe.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW