Shemot

Exodus 1:1−6:1

By Rabbi Avraham Fischer, provided by the Orthodox Union, the central coordinating agency for North American Orthodox congregations for MyJewishLearning.com

The Bumpy Road To Redemption

The complicated beginnings of the Exodus from Egypt establish the expectation that redemption is often not a smooth process.

After much persuasion, Moses agrees to accept God's mission to go to Pharaoh.
The slavery and sufferings of the Children of Israel have gone too far. The time for God to fulfill His promises to the Patriarchs is at hand. Moses appears before Pharaoh as God's emissary, bearing the message:

"Thus says Hashem, God of Israel: 'Let My people go, and they will celebrate for Me in the desert'" (Shemot 5:1).

And now, the process of deliverance will begin. But, it does not.

Instead, Pharaoh refuses to listen to any message in the name of God. Moses and Aaron's protestations and explanations are of no avail. Pharaoh, sensing the beginnings of a slave uprising that could sweep across all Egypt, intensifies the oppression: no straw, which is essential for producing the bricks for the Egyptian national building project, will be provided, yet the Hebrew slaves will be expected to produce the same quota of bricks.


Continue reading.

Want to know more about Biblical Figures? Follow our board    page.