January 18, 2025
A PEEK AT THE PARSHA
Parshat Shemot begins the second book of the Torah, also called "Sefer Shemot." It tells the story of how the Jewish people became slaves in Egypt and how Hashem began the process of saving them.
The parsha starts by listing the names of Yaakov's sons who came to Egypt with their families. Over time, the Jewish people, Bnei Yisrael, grew into a large nation. A new Pharaoh, who didn’t know about Yosef and how he saved Egypt, became king. He was afraid that Bnei Yisrael might become too powerful. To weaken them, Pharaoh made them slaves and forced them to do hard work, building cities like Pitom and Ramses. Despite the harsh slavery, Bnei Yisrael continued to grow in number.
ONE BIG IDEA
In Parshat Shemot, Moshe notices other people’s suffering and takes action. First, he defends a Jewish slave, then he helps Yitro’s daughters at the well. Later, Hashem chooses Moshe to lead Bnei Yisrael out of Egypt because Moshe shows courage, kindness, and responsibility. We learn from Moshe the importance of noticing when others are struggling and stepping up to help, even when it’s hard. Each of us can be like Moshe by being aware of those around us and acting with kindness and courage. When we do, we become partners in bringing Hashem’s goodness into the world.
Shemot
Pharaoh decided to try a different way to stop Bnei Yisrael from growing. He ordered that all Jewish baby boys be thrown into the Nile River. At this time, a baby boy was born to Amram and Yocheved from the tribe of Levi. Yocheved hid the baby for three months. When she couldn’t hide him anymore, she placed him in a basket and set it afloat on the Nile. His sister, Miriam, watched from a distance to see what would happen.
Pharaoh's daughter came to the river and found the basket. She felt compassion for the baby and decided to raise him as her own, naming him Moshe, meaning "drawn from the water." Miriam suggested a Jewish nursemaid for the baby, and Yocheved was chosen, so Moshe’s own mother was able to care for him in his early years. As Moshe grew up in Pharaoh’s palace, he remained connected to his people. One day, he saw an Egyptian hitting a Jewish slave. Moshe killed the Egyptian to save the slave. When Pharaoh found out, Moshe fled to Midian, where he married Tzipporah, the daughter of Yitro, a Midianite priest.
While Moshe was in Midian, Hashem appeared to him from a burning bush and told him to go back to Egypt to free Bnei Yisrael from slavery. Moshe was hesitant, but Hashem assured him that He would help. Hashem also told Moshe that his brother, Aharon, would assist him.
PARSHA STATS DID YOU KNOW…?
Mitzvot………………………….. 0
Lines in the Torah..............215 (18th most)
Pesukim.............................124 (15th most)
Words................................1763 (14th most)
Letters................................6762 (16th most)
Year(s)................................2238-2447
(Source: OU Torah Tidbits)
We are starting the 2nd book of the Torah. Did you know that the book of Shemot is the 3rd largest book of the Torah when counting by pesukim but the 2nd when counting by words? The size order of the 5 books of the Torah, by words, is: Breishit, Shemot, Bamidbar, Devarim and Vayikra. Parshat Shemot is also the 6th straight parsha without a single mitzvah. But that will change. All but 6 of the rest of the parshiot of the Torah have mitzvot in them.
CHECKLIST
To be filled out after shabbat and brought in Monday.
Called someone to wish them a “Shabbat Shalom”
Went to shul
Participated in Hadlakat Nerot/Kiddush/ Hamotzi/Birkat Hamazon
Sang zemirot/songs
Wore Shabbat clothing
Helped prepare our home for Shabbat
Full Name: ____________________________
Class: __________________________________
Parent Signature: _________________________
QUESTIONS
1. How many years does Parshat Shemot take to happen?
2. Hidden question: It’s not mentioned in Shabbazine but who else did Moshe try to help in this parsha? (Hint: It didn’t work)
3. What is the smallest book of the Torah?
4. What is the meaning of Moshe’s name?
5. What were the ways that Pharoah used to try to hurt Bnei Yisrael?