Shemot | שמות | Names
Torah Reading: Exodus 1:1-6:1
This Torah Portion tells the story of Israel’s affliction in Egypt (Exodus 1). Then we’re introduced to Moses, who was rescued from death as an infant and adopted by the Pharaoh’s daughter. We see Moses grow up and flee to Midian after having murdered an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave (Exodus 2). After many years living in the land of Midian, God appears to Moses in the form of a burning bush and charges him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 3). So Moses returns to Egypt where he and his brother Aaron go to Pharaoh and tell him to let the Hebrews go. Pharaoh refuses and instead puts pressure on the Hebrew slaves by making unreasonable demands and having them beaten when they fail to deliver (Exodus 4-5). The Torah Portion concludes with God assuring Moses that Israel will be delivered from Egypt (Exodus 6:1).