…relate, recount, declare, or proclaim. The story of the Exodus is known as the Haggadah because of the verse “You shall tell (vehigadeta) your child on that day, ‘[I do this] because of what the Lord did for me when I went out of Egypt’” (Shemot 13:8). However, the word ‘haggadah’ derives from a verb that also means bind, join,…
…because of our beliefs, most importantly the belief in monotheism, that there is, at least and at most, one God. The Torah tells us in Bereishit about creation, in Shemot about redemption, and in this week’s parsha about revelation. Judaism is a set of beliefs, but it is not a community based on unanimity about the way we understand and…
…Babylonian exile) the Jews. Bereishit Noach Lech Lecha Vayera Chayei Sarah Toldot Vayetse Vayishlach Vayeshev Mikketz Vayigash Vayechi Shemot (Exodus) The book of Exodus – Shemot – is the West’s meta-narrative of hope. It tells an astonishing story of how a group of slaves were liberated from the mightiest empire of the ancient world. Theologically, its message is even more…
…Bereishit 12:1-3 Core Questions Who was chosen here? What were they chosen for? Why were they chosen? Covenatal Chosenness: Shemot 19:1-6 Devarim 26:16-19 Devarim 4:5-8 Core Questions What does the term “Am Segulah” mean? What does this have to do with Torah, mitzvot, and the Covenant with God? Do you think the chosenness of the Jewish people because an intrinsic…
…is forced to leave the land because of famine. What is the message for us there? The climax of Sefer Bereishit – Yosef reassures his descendants concerning Israel: Bereishit 50:24-26 The core of Moshe’s mission – deliver the people to Israel: Shemot 3:1-8 The climax to the whole Torah – fulfilment of the covenant taking possession of Israel: Devarim 34:1-4…
…obligated by the biblical covenant made thousands of years ago? Why? Avraham begins the journey… and education of future generations will continue it Bereishit 18:18-19 Shemot 12:26-27 Shemot 13:8 Shemot 13:14 Haggadah Shel Pesach: The Four Children Core Questions According to Bereishit 18:18-19, why was Avraham chosen to be the progenitor of the Jewish people? When the Israelites were about…
…replied, “Enough! Never speak to Me of this matter again” (Devarim 3:25–26). The sense of incompleteness is not merely personal, not just a detail in the life of Moshe. It applies to the entire narrative as it has unfolded from the beginning of the book of Shemot. The Israelites are in exile. God charges Moshe with the task of leading…
…and wanted to kill him.” (Shemot 4:24) Tzipporah then saves Moshe’s life by performing a brit milah on their son. The story of Yonah provides the key to understanding these other stories. When Yonah was told to warn the people of Nineveh that their city would be destroyed if they did not repent he instead fled in a boat to…
…head to the Education Companion section (directly below, in grey). Educational Companion Torah Trivia: this week’s answer Both events occurred on the 10th day of Nissan. The Exodus from Mitzrayim officially began on Shabbat Hagadol, five days before Pesach (see Shemot 12:1). Forty years later, Bnai Yisrael crossed the Yarden and entered Eretz Yisrael on 10th Nissan (see Yehoshua 4:9)….
…so, in a miraculous act, Moshe turned the salty waters of Marah sweet and drinkable (see Shemot 15:22-25). Water is often compared to the Torah, as it is said, “ain mayim elah Torah” – for the Jewish People, the Torah is as important as water. Knowing that Bnai Yisrael could not survive for more than three days without water, or…