Reply To: Short & Sweet

Shemos: A Return, Not an Escape

Sefer Shemos is about Galus and Geulah that Bnei Yisroel experienced in Mitzrayim. If so, why does it begin by listing the names of the Shevatim? What does this have to do with Geulas Mitzrayim?

R’ Ahron Lopiansky explains that the answer is alluded to in the Ramban’s introduction to Shemos. The Ramban cryptically writes that ????? ????? ???? ?? ??? ???? ?? ????? ??? ???? ?????, “The exile was not finished until Bnei Yisroel returned to their own place, and to the stature of their forefathers.”

This gives a new understanding of what Geulah means. Geulah is not simply being rescued from oppression. We celebrate not just our freedom from the slavery of Mitzrayim, but our regaining the ability to be Hashem’s chosen people. Geulah means an actualization of our potential, a return to being all that we can be.

We can now understand why Sefer Shemos begins by listing the names of the Shevatim. Each Shevet has its own unique potential, planted by the Avos. The Geulah was not complete until that latent potential was finally realized with the acceptance of the Torah and the building of the Mishkan.

In our own lives, we ought to realize that our job is not just to do and accomplish. Hashem has planted unique potential inside of each one us; our job is to nurture and actualize that potential. We are not charged with building something new; we are instead supposed to realize the potential that we have carried within us all along.

The above is adapted from the new Golden Apples on !Shemos; get it now at eshelpublications.com
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