This week we start the second book of the Torah. Its name is Shemos, which means 'names'. This book is also referred to in English by the name 'Exodus', based on the general theme of the book.

The names of Yaakov's sons are listed again, this time after their death. Rashi explains:

QUOTE

1.  And these are the names of the sons of Israel. Although [God] counted them in their lifetime by their names (Gen. 46:8-27), He counted them again after their death, to let us know how precious they are [to Him], because they were likened to the stars, which He takes out [From beyond the horizon] and brings in by number and by name, as it is said: who takes out their host by number; all of them He calls by name (Isa. 40:26). [From Tanchuma Buber, Shemot 2; Exod. Rabbah 1:3]

Next the increase in the Jews is documented and the fear of the Egyptians because of this growth. The Egyptians decide to take action to stop the growth of the Jews and also because Pharaoh's astrologers haad forseen that a redeemer would be born soon, he wanted to kill all of the boys being born.

It says in the parsha, "let us deal shrewdly with them. " Rashi explains

QUOTE

With the people [of Israel]. Let us act shrewdly regarding what to do to them. Our Rabbis, however, interpreted [that Pharaoh said], Let us deal shrewdly with the Savior of Israel [thus interpreting לוֹ as to him] by afflicting them [to di[e] with water, for He has already sworn that He would not bring a flood to the world. (But they [the Egyptians] did not understand that upon the whole world He would not bring [a flood] but He would bring it upon one nation In an old Rashi manuscript.) from Sotah 11a]

Also Hashem's punishment is usually given according to the crime, and therefore that is why they chose water as the punishment (drowning the boys).

Monday, the second day of the week.

The midwives ignore Pharaoh's orders and let the boys live. Hashem takes care of the midwives for their bravery.

Moshe's (Moses) parents remarry (I will explain in Rashi) and Moshe is born. He is placed in a basket and Pharaoh's daughter finds him and takes care of him.

Rashi on Moshe's parents remarrying:

QUOTE

Chapter 2 1.  and married a daughter of Levi. He was separated from her because of Pharaoh’s decree (and he remarried her. This is the meaning of went, that he followed [lit., he went after] his daughter’s advice that she said to him, Your decree is harsher than פַּרְעֹה. Whereas Pharaoh issued a decree [only] against the males, you [issued a decree] against the females as well [for none will be born]. This [comment] is found in an old Rashi ), and he took her back and married her a second time. She too was transformed to become like a young woman [physically], but she was [actually] 130 years old. For she was born when they came to Egypt between the חוֹמוֹת and they stayed there 210 years. When they left, Moses was 80 years old. If so, when she conceived him, she was 130 years old, yet [Scripture] calls her a daughter of Levi. [From Sotah 12a, Exod. Rabbah 1:19]

Tuesday, the third day of the week.

Moshe grwos up and when he sees an Egyptian beating a Jew, he kills the Egyptian. Later when two others are fighting, he asks them to stop b\and they challenge him who are you. Are you going to kill us like you killed the Egyptian. They then inform on him and Pharaoh arrests him and sentanced him to be killed, but a miracle prevents him from dying. Moshe escapes and goes to Midain. He meets Yisro and marrys his daughter Tzipporah. they have a son.

The old Pharaoh dies and the suffering of the Jews is heard by Hashem.

Rashi on the old Pharaoh dying:

QUOTE

that the king of Egypt died. He was stricken (נִצְטָרַע), and he would slaughter Israelite infants and bathe in their blood. [From Exod. Rabbah 1:34]

QUOTE (torah man @ Dec 24 2002, 11:25 PM)

The midwives ignore Pharaoh's orders and let the boys live.  Hashem takes care of the midwives for their bravery.

Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of one was Shiprah and the name of the other Puah.... (Exodus 1:15)

I find it very interesting that the names of the midwives are noted to be remembered for all time because they feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them (v.17). On the other hand, the King of Egypt remained nameless as if he was just an insignificant character in the scheme of things.

QUOTE (torah man @ Dec 24 2002, 11:36 PM)

Moshe escapes and goes to Midain. He meets Yisro and marrys his daughter Tzipporah. they have a son.

What does Rashi say regarding Jethro the priest of Midian:

1) Did Jethro worship the same true and living God as the Hebrews?

2) How did he get to have 2 names: Reuel & Jethro ?

QUOTE (sheet4brain @ Dec 26 2002, 09:48 AM)

QUOTE (torah man @ Dec 24 2002, 11:36 PM) Moshe escapes and goes to Midain.  He meets Yisro and marrys his daughter Tzipporah.  they have a son. What does Rashi say regarding Jethro the priest of Midian: 1) Did Jethro worship the same true and living God as the Hebrews? 2) How did he get to have 2 names: Reuel & Jethro ?

When Yisro is introduced, Rashi says:

QUOTE

16.  Now the chief of Midian had. Heb. וּלְכֹהֵן מִדְיָן, i.e., the most prominent among them. He had abandoned idolatry, so they banned him from [living with] them. [From Exod. Rabbah 1:32, Tanchuma, Shemoth 11]

Rashi on chapter 18:1

QUOTE

Jethro. He was called by seven names: Reuel, Jether, Jethro [i.e., Yithro], Hobab, Heber, Keni, [and] Putiel (Mechilta). [He was called] Jether (יֶתֶר) because he [caused] a section to be added (יִךְתֵּר) to the Torah [namely]: “But you shall choose” (below verse 21). [He was called] Jethro (יִתְרוֹ) [to indicate that] when he converted and fulfilled the commandments, a letter was added to his name. [He was called] Hobab (חוֹבָב) [which means lover] because he loved (חִבֵָּב) the Torah. Hobab was indeed Jethro, as it is said: “of the children of Hobab, Moses’ father-in-law” (Jud. 4:11). Others say that Reuel was Jethro’s father. [If so,] what [is the meaning of] what it [Scripture] says [referring to the daughters of Jethro]: “They came to their father Reuel” (Exod. 2:18)? Because [young] children call their grandfather “Father.” [This appears] in Sifrei (Beha’alothecha 10:29). Moses’ father-in-law. Here Jethro prides himself on [his relationship to] Moses, [saying,] “I am the king’s father-in-law.” In the past, Moses attributed the greatness to his father-in-law, as it is said: “Moses went and returned to Jether, his father-in-law” (Exod. 4:18). [from Mechilta]