Sh´mot | Names: The Parsha About Names

By Richard Sison | 2017

Introduction

The titles of the Hebrew books are very interesting. If we recall, the name of the first book was taken from the first word B’reishit, which means “Beginning” and now, Sh’mot שמות ,which literally means “names”, is the second word in the second book of Moses. This is known to us as Exodus, which in turn was taken from ancient Greek word “exodos” that means “going out.” Sh’mot is also the name of the parsha for this week.

In the course of time, the L-RD appeared to Moses in a burning bush in Horeb (Sinai area), the mountain of G-D, and instructs him to go to Pharaoh and demand: “Let My people go, so that they may serve Me.” Due to Moses’ lack of confidence, his brother, Aaron, is appointed to serve as his spokesman. In Egypt, Moses and Aaron assembled the elders of Israel and told them that the time of their redemption has come. The people believe but Pharaoh refused to let them go, and even intensifies the suffering of Israel. Moses was confronted by the people and in return, he went to G‐D to protest. The L-RD reiterated His promises that the redemption is close at hand.

God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moshe! Moshe!” He answered, “Here I am.

Exodus 3:4

The message