Parashat Shemot

Moses' excuses at the Burning Bush parallel three great human fears.

Why is it that the most unbelievable of Jewish stories is that which is most believed in?

Before God calls on Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery, Moses develops his leadership skills and his ability to see beyond narrow struggles and his role as liberator.

The divine name that God tells Moses at the burning bush expresses the different and evolving relationship that God has with every individual.

Shifra and Puah's defiance of Pharaoh's decree and allegiance to God set the stage for the liberation of the Israelites.

By listing the names of Jacob's family members who went into Egypt the Torah reminds us of the number of people who affect our lives.

Some leaders make promises, but do they follow through?

We must find the causes that make us most passionate--and work for change.

Our names are our essence.

The name Gershom, and the word for Hebrew, Ivri, carry a message about what it means to be Jewish.

The differences between the midwives' encounter with Pharaoh and the officers' and taskmasters' encounter teach us to appreciate the context of biblical narratives.

The reference to forgetting Joseph raises questions about how oppression is linked to a group's commitment to the larger society.

The antidote to the terror of living in a dangerous world is to participate in the liberation of others.

The debate over how Moses killed the Egyptian has implications for the Jewish response to political and military power.

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

Like the characters in this Torah portion, we can fill the vacant roles left by our loss and grow into new ones.

Like Moses, we need to transform our natural impulses into something higher.

When to have the courage to defy.

Shemot: A resource for families.

Moses in a basket.

Promises of hope, threats of destruction.

Test your knowledge of this Torah portion.

The Torah was given early on--available to anyone who seeks it.

A new Pharaoh rises.