Parsha Shemot (2025)
One of the most fascinating moments in the Torah, is when one of the greatest leaders of the Jewish people questions G-d himself.
In the Parsha this week, Parshat Shemot, we read the story of the Jewish enslavement and suffering under the Egyptian tyrant Pharaoh.
Moshe confronts the evil monarch. However instead of seeing instant success, Pharoah adds to the slavery and suffering of the Jewish people.
Moshe returned to G-d and said, “G‑d, why have You mistreated this people?”
It may seem Moshe was questioning G-ds justice, but really, he was just trying to understand G-d.
This is an important part of living Jewishly. We are able to question the things we don’t understand. Yes we have accepted the faith from our parents and grandparents, being passed down from one generation to the next.
But when does that faith become our own? It’s not enough to say, “it’s the faith of my parents and grandparents.”
The way we make it our own is by questioning it. Not because we doubt its authenticity. Not because we are just asking for the sake of questioning everything, but rather because we want to understand, so it resonates with us here today in 2025. The questioning becomes the beginning of a journey. A journey that can lead us to a path of truth and self-discovery.
We teach Jewish children at a very young age the importance of asking questions. In fact this is how we begin our story telling on the night of the seder. We encourage the children to ask the 4 questions, which then becomes the spring board to explain the story of exodus and its meaning to us.
It is important that we find a Jewish message or Torah concept that resonates with each of us. It will then become a part of our life and can be a guiding light through life’s journey.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Zalman and Esty
