Moses initially refused to lead the people because he thought that they would not listen. However, the reason they did not listen was not because of him, but because their spirit was broken and the labor was harsh. Maimonides emphasized that the Torah has two goals: the well-being of the soul and the well-being of the body. Both are required.
God makes 5 promises to the Israelites, but without asking anything in return. These came from divine grace; because an enslaved people couldn’t imagine freedom or social justice, so a liberated people would know their Source of Liberation to transcend human capacity.
Please check out this exciting teaching by Rabbi Mordecai Finley
Shemot, or the book of Exodus, begins “These are the names of the children of Israel,” or the children of Jacob who came out of Egypt, the opening words of parasha Shemot.
Under five-minute teaching regarding Exodus 4:1 (Torah Portion Shemot)
Rabbi Finley has come to think that Joseph had trouble understanding other people, either because of his personality or trauma. His father Jacob has “checked out”, much like his grandfather Isaac had “checked out”. Perhaps Joseph was better off growing up in Egypt, rather than at home. He did well for himself in Egypt…
Rabbi cites the Prophet Zechariah: ‘“Not by might nor by strength, but by My Spirit” says the Lord,’ in describing the remarkable achievement of the Maccabees.
It is possible that the Syrian Greeks chose the latter part of Kislev, the 25th of Kislev, in fact, to desecrate the Temple by making their own sacrifices because it was the time of the winter solstice and the waning of the moon.
When we do yeshivah on Yom Kippur, there is a duality: the relationship between a person and God, and the relationship between two individuals. Jacob has struggled in the past with his connection to God. Now he struggles with the connection to his brother.
Rabbi Rigler asks the question: what does “religious” look like?” Parashat Mikeitz relies on the faith of multiple characters, reminding us of the importance of our inner voice. Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams with complete confidence in his own abilities.