Naming a Nation

Just before the new civil year, we begin reading our second book in the Torah: Shemot (names), or Exodus. By this point in the cycle, we get it – the Torah’s big on names. The names are important, the people are important, the stories are important – because their relationship with G!d is central.

Yet, as is the case with so many parshiyot, the name Shemot doesn’t quite reflect the contents of the parsha in summation. In fact, the first five chapters of Exodus depict the evolution of Egypt as Joseph’s family (our ancestral heritage) truly grew into a nation and began to establish themselves. The changes which took place in Egypt led to tension (to put it nicely) between the Hebrew people and the government. In reaction to this, we are introduced to Moses, G!d’s chosen leader to bring this young nation out of slavery and out of Egypt. Moses had a good start for being such a representative – his mother flagrantly disobeyed the orders to put Moses to death, seeking a creative refuge and, by chance (or something else?), using the same powerful family of the Pharaoh in order to protect her unlawfully living son. Let’s put it this way – maybe the text doesn’t make the fact clear that Moses owed his risk-taking mother one (or more) favors, like acting as an agent in the redemption of their people.

During his initial encounter with G!d at the burning bush, the text portrays Moses’ weakness of spirit? personality? – his fear, apathy, comfort. Truly, though, many of us would have reacted similarly upon seeing fire come from a non-burning bush and having such an interaction with a divinity. This story, which also betrays G!d’s self-identification, has been studied ad nauseam – I’m not saying anything new here – but the power of such a direct encounter is timeless.

Simon Chanumas

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For the Shabbos of this parsha, I davened in the second oldest shul in North Carolina, Congregation Emmanuel in Statesville. A small group of four sat around a table, taking turns singing/reading the prayers. We ad-libbed our way through discussing Shemot and talked about the prayers that are special to us. We listened to stories from a Holocaust survivor and talked about the Jewish history in Statesville and North Carolina. The informality, nearness of fellow worshippers, and palpable history made the last Shabbos of MMXVIII memorable.

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Komps kaos is back – after being read some articles last week, I have begun to think about the best way to verbally/audibly engage with readings. Can I have a personal reader all semester?