Moshe Refuses God's Mission

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  1. Liberating the Spirit of the Israelites

    Rabbi Ezra Bick

    The first two chapters of Parashat Va'era are disruptive to the narrative sequence. Several times, God tells Moshe (and Aharon) that they are to go to Pharaoh and take the Children of Israel out of Egypt. While Moshe seems reluctant, the triple repetition of descriptions that seem identical is unclear.

  2. The Appointment of Moshe

    Parashat Va'era

    Rabbi Chanoch Waxman

    Early in Parashat Va’era God commands Moshe to rescue Bnei Yisrael from Egypt. However, Moshe was already consecrated for this mission once, by the Burning Bush. What is the significance of this duality? Why is there a need for two consecrations? An analysis of each episode reveals the different reasons for saving the Children of Israel; each consecration focuses on another aspect of redemption.

  3. "When you bring the nation out of Egypt, you will serve God upon this mountain"

    Sharón Rimón

    Parashat Yitro describes the main component of the change Bnei Yisrael are meant to undergo while travelling through the desert. Bnei Yisrael arrive at Sinai - the place they had originally set out for in order to worship God, where they will experience God's revelation and become God's nation.

  4. How to Save Israel

    Rabbi Ezra Bick

    Why is Moshe so reluctant to speak to the Jewish people while they were enslaved in Egypt, and begin the process of the exodus? Moshe understands that his task entails more than merely informing the Jewish people that they are about to leave Egypt, but rather he must free the Jewish people from the psychological state of enslavement and dependency that they have sunk to. By closely examining the text as a whole, we can understand how every part of the exodus is meant to encourage that inner process of spiritual liberation within the Jewish nation.  

  5. Yirmiyahu’s Prophecy of Consecration

    Rabbi David Sabato

    The consecration prophecy of Yirmiyahu is compared to the opening prophecies of Yishayahu and Moshe. What does this consecration prophecy teach about Yirmiyahu and his prophecies in general and what is the significance of the fact that God chose the prophet "from the womb"?

  6. “For the God of my father has been my aid and saved me from Pharaoh’s sword”

    Rabbi Gad Eldad

    We would expect that when God entrusts Moshe with the mission of bringing Bnei Yisrael out of Egypt, it will feel like a perfect fit. As the figure who made the first move in saving Bnei Yisrael from the Egyptians, it seems only natural that Moshe should be the one to complete the task.

    So why does Moshe try to evade his mission?

    Through a close examination of the story of Moshe, as well as a comparison between Moshe and Yosef’s life stories, we can reach a deeper understanding as to the nature of Moshe’s initial refusal of his mission. 

  7. Parshat Shemot Part 4: Moshe’s Objections and God’s Answers and Signs

    Dr. Yael Ziegler | 35 minutes

    This podcast discusses the verses describing Moshes objections to God’s mission, and God’s responses. We also see an overview of the events that will transpire leading up to Am Yisrael leaving Egypt. 

    Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com

  8. Parshat Shemot Part 5: Moshe’s Refusal and Divine Anger: The Beginning of Moshe’s Journey

    Dr. Yael Ziegler | 35 minutes

    This podcast describes the final sign that God offers Moshe, and the difference between this sign and the previous ones, and Moshe’s subsequent arguments. We also explore the cryptic circumcision of Tzipporah’s son and the various interpretations that attempt to explain the nature of this incident. 

    Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com

  9. Parshat Vaera Part 2: Moshe's Hesitation and the Genealogy of the Tribe of Levi

    Dr. Yael Ziegler | 33 minutes

    This section of verses describes Moshe grappling with the religious aspect of his new mission as the representative of God, and his hesitations associated with this important task.  

    Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com

  10. From Sinai, Back to Sinai

    Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom | 54 minutes

    Through a two-part discussion of the sequential narrative of the book of Exodus, and specifically the date of Matan Torah relating to the manna and the story of Moshe at the burning bush, we can gain a deeper understanding of Moshe as the representative of God.  

    Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com