In the previous parashah, Pharaoh asks, “Who is Adonai, that I should obey when he says to let Isra’el go? I don’t know Adonai, and I also won’t let Isra’el go” (Exodus 5:2-3). In this parashah and the next, Pharaoh and Egypt along with Moshe, Aaron, and the Hebrews will learn exactly who ‘I am’ is, the greatness of His power, and His faithfulness to the covenants He made with the patriarchs.
Category: Torah Portions
Parashah 13: Sh’mot (Names) – EXODUS
Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin, Dan, Nafatli, Gad, and Asher entered into Egypt as a nation of 70 Hebrews. They joined Joseph and his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Their descendants increased and they grew very powerful. Centuries later, a Pharaoh came to power who knew nothing about Joseph and his family. The fear of Isra’el –– anti-semitism –– begins.
Parashah 12: Vayechi (He lived)
The ‘hand under the thigh’ oath was used when Abraham sent Eliezer to find a wife for Isaac. Joseph puts his hand under his father’s thigh symbolizing the covenant promise of descendants for Jacob. He wants Joseph to swear an oath that his bones will be taken back to his father’s land, the Land of Promise given to Abraham, and buried in the cave with his ancestors.
Parashah 11: Vayigash (He approached)
Joseph tells everyone to leave, except his brothers. He asks them to “Come closer.” A few verses later he says, “Here! Your own eyes see and the eyes of your brother Benjamin that it is my own mouth speaking to you” (Genesis 45:12). Rashi, suggests that the brothers needed further proof that Joseph was truly their brother so he draws them closer to reveal his heritage. “Your own eyes see [my glory] and that I am your brother for I am circumcised as you are and, furthermore, “That my mouth speaks to you” in the Holy Language [Hebrew].”