This week’s Torah Portion, Shemot, begins Sefer Shemot or the Book of Exodus. In Parshat Shemot, a cruel Pharaoh comes to power. Baby Moses is rescued from the Nile by Pharoah’s daughter. When grown, Moses kills an Egyptian who is beating a Jewish slave and flees to Midian where he marries Jethro’s daughter, Zipporah. God speaks to Moses from the Burning Bush, telling Moses to free the Israelites from Pharaoh’s oppression. Moses and his brother, Aaron, approach Pharaoh, but Pharaoh refuses to free the Jewish slaves.
God tells Moses that God will show Pharaoh “a greater might.” (Exodus 6:1)
Shemot is filled with famous events and there is no shortage of commentary, both ancient and modern. But, I prefer, in this instance, to add my own. Of all that occurs in Shemot, I was struck by the words, “A new king arose over Egypt who did not know Joseph.” (Exodus 1:8). What?! Didn’t know Joseph? Joseph who interpreted Pharoah’s dreams? Joseph whose astute planning saved Egypt from famine and economic ruin? Joseph whose family was welcomed and honored? Didn’t know that Joseph! How was such a thing possible in a society like Egypt obsessed with recording its own history? What is the Torah trying to teach us in this startling statement, presented without any background detail or explanation?
I think this statement from the beginning of Shemot serves as a reminder, a warning even, to us, the descendants of those ancient Israelites, who, like Joseph, live comfortably assimilated (or so we think) in many lands.
Even in America, land of the free, where Jews are thoroughly assimilated and contribute successfully to all facets of American life, there is always the potential for anti-semitism to arise like a “new king.” We need to be as aware of the forces around us as Moses was when he realized that the burning bush was not simply dry foliage on fire, but a miracle.
I suggest that Shemot leads us to recognize that if we are knowledgeable about our Jewish history and heritage; if we maintain our Jewish values and actively participate in Jewish observance; if we support Israel, our Jewish Homeland; and above all, if we engage in the study of Torah; we need never again fear a “new” Pharaoh.
Shabbat Shalom – Rest and Renew.
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