The First section of the Chumash / Book of Exodus opens by listing the names (Shemot, in Hebrew) of Jabob’s sons, and then chronicles the growth of their descendants into a nation leading to their enslavement in Egypt.

Thirty years of conscripted labour did not succeed in breaking the Jews’ spirit or curbing their fertility. So Pharoh intensified harsh decrees on the Hebrew slaves.

Pharoh gave orders to all his people: “ you must cast every boy born into the river Nile, but you must let every girl live.” (1:22)

By instructing his people to “let every girl live”, Pharoh meant that the Jewish girls should be raised as Egyptians. He thus decreed that the boys be killed physically and the girls be killed spiritually. The decree to throw the boys into the Nile also alludes to immersing the Jews into the Egyptian culture, for the Egyptians worshipped the Nile as the source of their livelihood and culture.

Egypt is the prototype of all exiles. In all exiles the ruling culture attempts to allure our children in their ways of education, promising the path to financial and social success.

As in Egypt, resisting these promises and ensuring that our children grow up cherishing our Torah values is what in truth will guarantee material success and spiritual happiness, as well as, freedom from the bonds of exile. 

With our continued prayers for peace in Israel and the return of our final hostage, and Jewish life worldwide.

Wishing you a successful week, with  a meaningful Shabbat to follow.