Parashat Shemot: Names, Galut, and the Power of Empathy 5786
- Rebetzein Chavi
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Shovavim, Redemption, and the Light Revealed in Darkness
A Personal Opening from Yerushalayim
Good evening, everyone. I’m sending this rather late from Yerushalayim, as we had a very exciting evening. Baruch Hashem, my granddaughter got engaged in New York, so it’s a very, very big simcha in the family. May I always be able to share simchas with each one of you and may all those who are in need of shidduchim merit them easily.
This is being sent le’iluy nishmat Rav Shlomo ben HaRav Yitzchak.
With Parashat Shemot, we begin the period of Shovavim. Shovavim is based on the pasuk “Suru, suru banim shovavim”— “Move away, children who have gone astray; now is the time to make amends.”
Shovavim includes the parshiot: Shemot, Vaera, Bo, Beshalach, Yitro, and Mishpatim.
Shovavim and the Purpose of Galut Mitzrayim
This is the time when we begin reading about the slavery in Mitzrayim—the galut of Mitzrayim and the great suffering endured there. But the purpose of this suffering was not suffering itself. It was meant to elevate the Jewish people, to raise them from the 49th level of impurity to the 49th level of kedusha.
“Ve’Eleh Shemot”: Why Sefer Shemot Begins with a Vav
The sefer opens with the words “Ve’eleh shemot”— “And these are the names.” Chazal ask: why does a new book begin with a vav, a connective “and”?
Many explain that Sefer Bereishit is the Sefer HaYetzira, the Book of Creation—not only the creation of the world, but the creation of the Avot, who laid the foundations of Am Yisrael. But that creation did not end.
It continued with Yaakov bringing the twelve shevatim into the world, and it continues through the fulfillment of the brit bein habetarim—that Avraham’s descendants would be strangers in a foreign land. Sefer Shemot continues this process. Through galut comes geulah, Matan Torah, and the building of the Mishkan.
This ongoing process of creation explains the vav hachibur—Sefer Shemot is inseparably connected to Bereishit.
“Ish U’Beito”: Hashem Enters the Galut with His People
The Torah says they descended to Mitzrayim “ish u’veito.” The Midrash explains that “ish” refers to Hashem—Ish Milchamah—and “beito” refers to the Heavenly Beit Din. Even as Hashem brings His nation into slavery, He brings the angels to witness and ultimately judge Mitzrayim.
Why the Parashah Is Called Shemot
Why is the parashah called Shemot and not Bnei Yisrael?
Because the Torah is teaching us the power of a name. A name is given through Ruach Hakodesh and contains a person’s mission. Rashi compares Am Yisrael to stars—they shine most brightly in darkness.
When the world is spiritually dark, each person has the ability to illuminate it.
A Living Example: Reb Uri Lubiliansky and Yad Sarah
Some illuminate through extraordinary deeds, such as Reb Uri Lupolianski, who passed away in Yerushalayim. As a young avreich, he once needed a humidifier for his baby and couldn’t find one. He realized others must need one too, and he began a gemach.
Starting with simple caravans and even a bus on Rechov Neviim, he slowly built Yad Sarah, named after his grandmother who was killed in the war. His parents did not know what he would become—but his name, Uri, light, foretold his mission.
When Is Greatness Revealed?
Chazal explain that night symbolizes death. Often, we only recognize a person’s greatness after they leave this world—when their legacy continues to give life and meaning to others.
Hashem counts names again and again because there is no insignificant soul.
Pharaoh: The Power of Manipulative Speech
The Torah introduces Pharaoh. Chazal explain his name hints to peh ra—an evil mouth. Pharaoh manipulated Bnei Yisrael through speech.
At first, he spoke kindly: “Come work with me, I’ll pay you.” Then suddenly, everything changed. This is pe rach—first attraction, then entrapment.
They became gerim, then avadim, and finally endured brutal suffering.
This is why Hashem commands: “Zachor et asher asah lecha Mitzrayim.” Remember—so that when you have power, you never repeat this cruelty.
This lesson applies powerfully today, in a world shaped by media and persuasion that slowly distorts truth.
Names That Carry Pain and Hope: Aharon, Miriam, and Moshe
Amram named his children with meaning.
Aharon comes from herayon, pregnancy—gratitude for life amid terror, and har, elevation.
Miriam comes from mar, bitterness, as the galut intensified.
Moshe Rabbeinu, who had ten names, was shaped by the actions of his mother Yocheved (Shifra) and his sister Miriam (Puah)—women who brought beauty, calm, and gentle speech into a world of fear.
Bat Pharaoh: The Power of Will and Compassion
Bat Pharaoh went down to the river on the day Moshe was placed in the water. Chazal teach she intended to convert.
She stretched out her hand beyond physical limits, teaching us: “Ein davar ha’omed bifnei haratzon.” When a person truly wills something, Hashem helps.
She named him Moshe—“Min hamayim meshitihu”—you were drawn out, therefore you must draw others out.
Moshe Rabbeinu: Bearing the Burden of Others
Moshe went out to see the suffering of his people. His defining trait was nosei b’ol im chaveiro—carrying another’s burden.
Even when betrayed by fellow Jews and forced to flee to Midian, Moshe’s path continued.
The Burning Bush: Unlocking Habit to Hear Hashem
At the burning bush, Moshe said: “Asura na v’ereh.” He did not look out of curiosity, but reflection.
Hashem said: “Remove your shoes.” A shoe (na’al) means locked. To hear Hashem, one must unlock oneself—remove habits (hergel) and external influence.
The message: I am sending you to redeem them.
“Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh”: Redemption as a Process
Moshe asked which Name he should tell the people. Hashem answered: “Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh.”
Redemption is a process. There will be future exiles, but Hashem will always be present—lifting, redeeming, and guiding until Mashiach.
A Story of Empathy: The Klausenberger Rebbe
The Klausenberger Rebbe, who lost his wife and eleven children in the Holocaust, founded institutions that continue to give life.
One snowy night in America, he stopped to ask directions from a drunken man. Years later, that man revealed the encounter saved his life and brought him back to Torah.
A single moment of empathy changed a destiny.
Conclusion: Remembering Yetziat Mitzrayim Every Day
“Zachor et yom tzeitcha me’eretz Mitzrayim kol yemei chayecha.”
Reflect. Understand. Look deeply—Asura na v’ereh.
Just as the bush was not consumed, Am Yisrael will never be consumed. Hashem will always save us.
May we merit to uplift others, share many simchas, and walk this path together.
Have a wonderful Shabbos, and all my love from Yerushalayim.
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