Shabbos Parshas Shemos

This week's Parsha is really action-packed.  Moshe Rabbeinu (Moses) is born in Egypt and we learn about his adolescence and early adulthood.  Moshe Rabbeinu is raised as a prince, but abandons the posh life to serve his people.  Not content to live to be served, he recognizes that his people need him and instead lives to serve.  It is in the course of this role that he discovers his true purpose.  While serving as a simple shepherd for his father in law, Yitro (Jethro), a sheep wonders away.  Moses follows the sheep to the Burning Bush where HaShem addresses Moses directly for the first time. 

I think it's significant that Moses ' role of leader of the Jewish people is revealed to him while he is working as a Shepherd.  After all, it was Moses who Shepherded us out of Egypt and it is his Neshama (soul) that will return in Moshiach and lead us once again out of Exile. 

At the end of the Parsha, HaShem promises Moses that the redemption of the Jewish people is close at hand.  Let us hope as we read the Parsha this week that we can relive it and hear G-d's promise once again.

Things to think about to make this Shabbos Shiny

Moses was lucky.  HaShem told him plainly what He wanted Moses to do.  HaShem isn't so direct with us.  Look around you.  Is HaShem trying to give you a message about something He wants from you?  Try to get a little closer to Him this Shabbos.  Let Him shine through you and maybe you can help others get a little closer, too.


 

Find the Parsha in a Nutshell here.