The sixteenth reading from the Torah is named Beshalach (בשלח), which means “When he sent.” The title comes from the first verse of the reading, which can be literally translated to say, “And it happened when Pharaoh sent out the people.” The reading tells the adventures of the Israelites as they leave Egypt, cross the Red Sea, receive miraculous provision in the wilderness and face their first battle.

There are many “supporting texts” for The Torah. One of them is the Midrash. And the character Nachshon can be found there which adds to the story of the parting of The Red Sea.

It is this portion where we find The 72 Names of God:

The fifteenth reading from the Torah is named Bo (בוא), which means “Come.” The title comes from the first words of the first verse of the reading, which says, “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘[Come] to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart” (Exodus 10:1). The portion begins by concluding the narrative of the ten plagues, the tenth of which is the slaying of the firstborn. To avoid the plague, the Israelites are given the instructions for the Passover sacrifice and the laws of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Pharaoh finally consents to let Israel go, and they leave Egypt.

Oh Boy! Sure feels like exile to me. Exile from what? Is freedom the opposite of exile? This week the first seven Plagues descend on Egypt and Pharaoh. What do these plagues mean? There is a lot in this weekly parashat to consider.

The second reading from the book of Exodus and fourteenth reading from the Torah is named Va’era (וארא), which means “And I appeared.” The title comes from the first words of the second verse of the reading, which says, “And I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as God Almighty” (Exodus 6:3). The portion begins with four expressions of redemption whereby God promises to bring Israel out of the Egyptian bondage. The narrative progresses to tell the story of the first seven of the ten plagues that God unleashed on Egypt.

This Saturday night at sunset we move from the first book of the Torah and enter the second book. We leave Genesis and we enter Exodus. The Hebrew word for the second book is Shemot which means Names. The Jewish tribe is now in slavery in Egypt. For 200 years and then Moses comes on the scene and leads them out of Egypt. The first three weeks of January we will be reading about the 10 Plagues. I came across this fascinating presentation and wanted to share with those of you following along. Listen until the end. Listen with an open mind and with “The Bigger Picture” in mind. Can you see how it is still playing out today?