Standing as a proud Jew
TorahExodus 1:1 – 6:1

Standing as a proud Jew

Parshat Shemot

This week’s Torah portion begins the second of the Five Books of Moses. While this book is referred to in English as “The Book of Exodus,” in Hebrew it is named “Shemos” which means “names.” This volume begins with the account of the Jewish people’s enslavement in Egypt and describes our release and Exodus. Several of the passages we will read over the next few weeks will be familiar to many from the Passover seder. However, the traditional name for this volume seemingly comes from the beginning of this week’s portion, where the names of Jacob’s descendants who arrived in Egypt are listed.

Our Sages teach us that a Hebrew name is more than just a convenience, more than just a way to refer to a specific person or thing. Indeed it is an expression of the essence of that which is being named. Yet here, it is the English name, “Exodus,” which seems a more precise descriptor of the theme of this book. Why then did our Sages name this book “Shemos” (names), which seems to be unrelated to most of the content?

The Midrash tells us that the reason the Torah lists the names of the Jewish people at the start of the Exodus story, despite having done so previously, is to allude to the secret of the Jewish people’s ability to survive the persecution and oppression they experienced. How did they retain their cohesion as a people and retain their values while surrounded by the depravity of Egyptian culture?

It was all in their names. By holding on to and proudly proclaiming their identity as Jews, they were able to survive the persecution. Their Jewish names gave them the strength to overcome the forces of assimilation and remain true to their roots. Their names gave them the strength to remain true to their past, their identity and hold on to their hopes for a better future. It is no coincidence that, throughout the generations, one of the tools of oppression and dehumanization that slaveowners used was taking away the names of those they enslaved.

The purpose in studying the Torah portion is not just to understand our past, but primarily to take a lesson on how to live in the present and future. We live in a time where it can be difficult to be publicly identified as Jewish. The hate directed toward us on the streets and even in the halls of government have led some to fear being open with their Judaism. From this week’s Torah portion, we learn that it is specifically through standing strong and with pride in our identity that we can best overcome the challenges we face.

On a practical level, each of us can find a way to more openly express our Jewish identity. For some, it might be going by their Jewish name, instead of a secularized version of it. For others, it might be putting up a mezuzah on their home or office door. Another option is to wear a kippah at work or when going out in public. Each of us can think about ways to bind ourselves more closely to our Jewish identity.

It was the merit of the preservation of the Jewish names that eventually brought about the Exodus from Egypt. May the merit of our added mitzvos bring peace and safety to our Holy Land, freedom for the remaining hostages, and the ultimate time of comfort with the coming of Moshiach now! PJC

Rabbi Yisroel Rosenfeld is the rabbi at the Lubavitch Center and the executive director of Chabad of Western Pennsylvania. This column is
a service of the Vaad Harabonim of Greater Pittsburgh.

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