Torah Readers Reflections

Summary of Parashat Shemot

This week we start the book of Exodus. Parashat Shemot starts with the slavery of the children of Israel and depicts Moses birth and his years living in Midian in the house of Yitro.
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The Israelites are in Egypt, a new pharaoh rises, "who does not know Joseph" and he begins to oppress the Israelites. Mirriam is born and Pharaoh orders that all newborn male babies are to be thrown into the Nile river.
Moses is born and placed in a basket of reeds. Mirriam watches over the baby as the Nile river takes Moses to the feet of Batyah - the Pharaoh's daughter. Moses is then raised by his own mother, Yohevet.
Moses kills an Egyptian and is forced to flee. He ends up in the house of Yitro - a priest of Midian. Moses marries Tziporah, Yitro's daughter.
Moses encounters the burning bush and speaks to God for the first time. He is given his mission to set the children of Israel free. With signs from God he makes his way to Egypt where he is met by his brother Aharon.
Together with Aharon they confront Pharaoh with their request to let the children of Israel go free. Pharaoh refuses their request and makes the lives of the children of Israel harder by forcing them to make their own bricks. They complain that Moses and Aharon have made their lives worse. God assures Moses that his mission will be successful. 

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