A Pillar of Cloud and Fire

Parshat B'Shallach

Exodus 13:17-17:16

This week's parsha picks up where we left off last week with the escape of the Jews from Egypt. Once Pharaoh okay'd their "release," the Israelites set off, using God's somewhat faulty GPS - instead of taking the more direct route, which would have set them on a path through the land of the Philistines - ripe for a potential conflict, they took a more leisurely route by way of the wilderness at the Sea of Reeds. Along their way, God went before them in a pillar of cloud by day, the better with which to guide them along their way, and a pillar of fire by night, to give them light.

Meanwhile, God hardens Pharaoh's heart, and the Egyptians pursue the escaping slaves. As Pharaoh drew near the encamped slaves, the Israelites caught sight of their advancing foe, and after arriving at the Sea of Reeds, an seemingly insurmountable obstacle, the people begin to express great doubt and fear. Moses lifts up his rod and holds his arm over the sea, and God drove back with a strong wind and turned the sea into dry ground. Once the Israelites reach the opposite side of the sea, the waters close in over their foes, drowning all of the Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and horsemen. Now convinced of the greatness of God, the Israelites, led by Moses and Miriam, sing songs of praise.

As they continue along their way, the Israelites fall victim to great discontent - they go without water for three days before Moses is able to provide adequate drinking water. Shortly thereafter, a hungry people begin to grumble against Moses and Aaron, and they are later given food and manna. On the sixth day, they gather a double portion, for there would be no manna given on Shabbat.

The parsha concludes with an interesting story. After camping at Rephidim, the Israelites are attacked by their first enemy - the Amalekites. Moses instructs Joshua to lead the army, and Moses goes up to a nearby hill with Aaron and Hur - when he reaches the top of the mountain, Moses lifts the rod of God up high, causing the Israelites' army to begin to succeed against the Amalekites. However, when Moses grows weary and lowers his arm, the Amalekites begin to prevail. Moses sits upon a stone and his two companions sit on either side of him; they help to support his arms and Amalek is defeated. God instructs Moses to record these events and to remember Amalek as Israeli's eternal enemy.

For your Shabbat table:

• How do you think the Israelites felt when they left Israel?
• After the Israelites leave Egypt, it says that God hardens Pharaoh's heart, causing him to give chase after his escaping slaves. Why would God do this?
• When the Israelites made it to the other side of the Sea of Reeds, they break out into jubilant song. Why do you think they decided to sing? How can a song help you to express emotions better than simply speaking? What are other ways you use to express yourself?
• The Torah includes the Song of the Sea in this portion - take a look at the image of how it is written (at the top of this post). What is unique about this passage? Why do you think it is written that way?
• The Torah tells us that several times during this portion of their journey (which ultimately took 40 years!), the Israelites grumbled against Moses and God. Has there been a time when you've "grumbled" against someone? Why? How did others react?
• At the end of the portion, it takes two others, Aaron and Hur, to help Moses raise his arms so that the Israelites would prevail over the Amalekites. Why do you think a great man like Moses couldn't do it by himself?

This week's g-dcast:

More Tu Bishvat Fun

Since Tu Bishvat is only days away, here are some more great resources for celebrating this holiday with your family!

• Tu Bishvat Seder - this is a great guide to holding a seder for Tu Bishvat. (This particular version is more appropriate for older school aged children or adults). Add a craft project for your seder and make a centerpiece - one possibility can be found here.

• If you need some ideas for younger children, the Union for Reform Judaism has some really great resources, including this Holiday Happenings page for Tu Bishvat.

• In honor of trees, take a step back and evaluate your impact on the world around you. The JNF (Jewish National Fund) offers ways to try and go neutral, reducing your carbon footprint - check out some of their tools here.

• Speaking of the JNF, did you know that Israel is one of only two countries in the world that entered the 21st century with a net gain of trees? Donate money to the JNF - either "buy" a tree to be planted or support some of their other environmental projects. Plant a tree here, or visit the JNF website to learn more about their other programs.

• Another fun Tu Bishvat activity is to plan parsley seeds - hopefully if you take care of your small plants, you'll have some parsley in time for Passover!

Taking Time for Tu Bishvat

Tu Bishvat is affectionately known as the "birthday of the trees." At least, that is how many Jewish children are taught about this holiday during their years in Religious School classes. The holiday of Tu Bishvat, falling on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Sh'vat, this year coinciding with January 30th, can be seen on three levels:

1. Historically, it recalls the siege of Jerusalem in the years 66-70 CE. During the siege, the carob provided sustenance to Jewish fighters, who were otherwise able to store only meager food rations.
2. Agriculturally, it is a reminder of the ancient practice of tithing the fruits and is a tangible sign of the physical bond that the people of Israel have with Eretz Israel, the land of Israel.
3. Religiously or spiritually, the holiday and the trees that are planted serve as a symbol of life and rebirth. The tree weathers all storms yet clings tot he soil and tenaciously holds onto life. Similarly, the Jewish people have continued to endure and survive in the face of adversity.

However you choose to view this holiday, here are some possible activities to celebrate Tu Bishvat with your family:

• You can find a cute word puzzle about the holiday here.
• Babaganewz is a wonderful Jewish website for children and families - here is their page on Tu Bishvat, filled with Hebrew games, art projects, wacky slide shows, and so much more!
• Chabad's website has some great Tu Bisvhat and tree-related stories and activities - you can find the holiday page here.
• Elijah Rocks is my newest web find - it is the holiday game site from Behrman House, a Jewish publishing company. Here is a cute internet game to keep Israel green and testing your tree knowledge at the same time!

I will post more Tu Bishvat activities and craft ideas this week - start planning now!

Note: You may have balked at my spelling of this holiday, which is often seen written as Tu B'shvat - "Tu" being the way in which the number fifteen is spelled using Hebrew letters, according to the tradition of gematria, "B" meaning "in," and "Shvat" for the Hebrew month - the 15th of Shvat. It recently came to my attention that strictly speaking, because of some funny rules in Hebrew grammar, the holiday should actually be called Tu Bishvat - Too Beesh'vat. Just a little Hebrew grammar nerdiness for you today.

Passing Over

Parshat Shmot
Exodus 10:1 - 13:16


Moses and Aaron rebuke Pharaoh for refusing to allow the Israelites to go and worship God. Although Pharaoh's courtiers plead with him to obey God in order to save Egypt, the Pharaoh ignores their advice, and locusts, the eighth plague, come to destroy those parts of Egypt left unharmed by the hail. The plague is lifted when Pharaoh pleads with Moses and Aaron, but God once again hardens Pharaoh's heart and the Israelites are not freed. Then the plague of darkness falls without warning - only the Israelites have light where they live.


God tells Moses that the next plague will be the last and Moses warns Pharaoh that God will triumph with the slaying of all the firstborn of Egypt.


Prior to the occurrence of the tenth plague, Moses and Aaron instruct the Israelites in the laws of Passover. On the tenth day of the first month, the people are to slaughter a lamb, smear its blood on their doorposts, and eat its roasted flesh hurriedly in remembrance of the tenth plague and their hasty Exodus from Egypt. In the future, this festival is to be a time of remembrance for the Israelites. For seven days,t hey are to eat only unleavened bread. Further, the people are commanded to explain these observances to their children so that the festival will be a reminder to all generations that God freed the Israelites from Egypt.


The Israelites apply lamb's blood to their doorposts as they were instructed by Moses. In the middle of the night, all the firstborn in the land of Egypt are struck down. The Pharaoh summons Moses and Aaron and bids them to depart with the Israelites. Because of their haste in leaving Egypt, the people take their dough with them before it is risen. They also take spoils from the Egyptians. The portion concludes with the note that the Israelites had lived in Egypt for 430 years and at the time of the Exodus, some 600,000 departed from Egypt plus children, livestock, and a mixed multitude of others.
(Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah, by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden)


Questions for your Shabbat table:

• Parshat Bo is part of the retelling of the Passover story - the Exodus from Egypt. Most families help celebrate Passover by holding a seder at home and eating special food. What are some of the foods of Passover, and what do they symbolize?
• Every year when we celebrate Passover, we remember that we were once slaves. Why do you think it is so important that we remember we were once slaves?
• What are some plagues of our contemporary society that trouble you? How do you respond to them?

This week's g-dcast cartoon on Parshat Bo:

Moses' Beginnings

Parshat Shmot
Exodus 1:1 – 6:1

The book of Exodus begins four hundred years after the end of Genesis, by recounting that the descendants of Jacob flourished and multipled in Egypt “and the land was filled with them.” Then arises a new Pharaoh in Egypt who did not remember Joseph and he perceives the numerous Israelites as a potential threat. Therefore, the Egyptians enslave the Israelites, making life bitter for them. The Pharaoh instructs midwives to kill all male children born to Israelite women. When the midwives, fearing God, do not obey, Pharaoh orders all newborn boys drowned in the Nile River.

Now a certain couple of the house of Levi bear a son and hide him fro three motnhs. When the infant can no loner be hidden, his mother sets him afloat in the Nile River in a wicker basket. Miriam, the boy’s sister, is stationed to watch what will become of him. The Pharaoh’s daughter finds the infant and resolves to save him. Miriam arranges for her own mother to nurse and tend him.

When the child is grown, he is brough tot the Pharaoh’s daughter to live in the palace as her son. She names him Moses, meaning “drawn out” of the water. When Moses is grown, he kills an Egyptian taskmaster who was beating a Hebrew slave. He is forced to flee Egypt. He goes to Midian, where he becomes a shepherd, a husband, and a father.

One day, while Moses is tending his sheep, God appears to him in a burning bush. God instructs Moses that he is to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and into the land of Canaan. When Moses protests his inadequacy for the task, God gives him signs through which he is to convince the Israelites and Pharaoh. His brother Aaron is appointed to be his spokesperson. Moses and his wife Tzipporah and his sons begin to journey back to Egypt. One night, God encounters him [it is unclear whether the text refers to Moses or his son] and seeks to kill him. Tzipporah quickly circumcises her son and God leaves him alone.

Moses and Aaron go to Pharaoh demanding, in the name of God, that the Israelites be permitted to leave Egypt to worship God in the wilderness, but the Pharaoh refuses to heed them. Instead he increases the labor of the Israelites, refusing now to provide them with the straw they need to make bricks.
(Synopsis courtesy of Teaching Torah, by Sorel Goldberg Loeb and Barbara Binder Kadden)

Questions for your Shabbat table:

• In Pharaoh’s palace, all the princes went to lessons taught by the priests of Egypt– Moses probably went, too. What kinds of subjects do you think Moses studied? What might he have learned that would help him later to become a leader for his people?
• In Genesis, there are many stories about conflicts between siblings (Cain and Abel, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers), yet in contrast, this first portion of the book of Exodus shows cooperation between siblings. What is an example of cooperation between Moses and his brother and/or sister? Which pattern is more common in your family – conflict or cooperation?
• In this parsha, the midwives help protect the babies who could not protect themselves. Who helps protect you?

This week's g-dcast cartoon on Parshat Shmot:

Today's Treat

Just a quick post, courtesy of Jewish Treats, one of my favorite new(ish) sources. If you like, feel free to sign up for their daily email - you'll never know what interesting tidbit might come your way.

Everything Except

A man is attacked by a gang of anti-semites. Totally drunk, they demand that the man eat a ham sandwich or else they will kill him. What should the victim do?

According to Jewish law, he should eat the sandwich. In fact, the Talmud(Sanhedrin 74a) asserts that there are only three laws that one must not transgress even at the cost of one's life: "Rabbi Johanan said in the name of Rabbi Simeon b. Jehozadak ...in every law of the Torah, if a person is commanded: 'Transgress and suffer not death' he may transgress and not suffer death, excepting idolatry, adultery/incest, and murder."

Under threat of death one may eat non-kosher food, violate Shabbat and even steal, but one may not worship idols, take part in forbidden sexual acts or commit murder. What are the reasons for these three exceptions?

MURDER: Murdering another person in order to save one's own life (not in self-defense), is, in effect, an attempt to do “Divine math.” Who can say whose life is more valuable? (Raba ... answered him, 'Let him rather slay you, rather than that you should commit murder; how do you know that your blood is redder than his [the intended victim]? Perhaps his blood is redder.' - Sanhedrin 74a).

ADULTERY/INCEST: Sexual immorality undermines society's entire social structure. The repercussions of such an act can effect not just the man and the woman involved, but also a child who may come from such an act...for hundreds of years. (A child born of incest or adultery is known as a mamzer, a status that lasts forever.)

IDOLATRY: Any act of idolatry, no matter how minor, denies the omnipotence of God. Since serving God is the primary purpose of every Jew, and since God is the creator of all life, denying God by worshiping an idol is, in effect, denying life itself.