Parshat Shemot; Exodus 1:1 – 6:1 By Rabbi Denise L. Eger

Jewish memory is an important component of our tradition. We remember, recall and reflect upon our ancestors in many different ways. Our prayers often recall our patriarchs and matriarchs. Our founding myths and legends recited at ceremonial and ritual moments recount the tales and journeys of our people such as at the Passover Seder. The thrice weekly public readings of our Torah are a large component of shaping our Jewish memory.

This week’s portion, parshat Shemot, the opening portion of the second book of the Torah, Exodus, begins with a clear focus on Jewish memory. The opening words recount briefly the ancestors that went down to Egypt to escape the famine in Canaan. Joseph’s brothers whom we met in Genesis and have just concluded their story are now mentioned again. Yes it is a literary bridge between the two books. But it is much, much more than just a writing device. This recounting and synopsis describing how we Jews arrived in Egypt, a foreign land succinctly recalls our history. “These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob. (Ex. 1:1).” By reading this verse aloud we place our history before us and we own it.

“These are the names…” begins this new book of the Torah. This book that will focus on the Israelites’ enslavement, liberation, emerging national identity and covenant making with God, begins by grounding the story in our genealogy. By verse 8 of Exodus we are told, “A new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. (Ex. 1:8).” In an instance with few words we are taught an extremely important lesson. It is easy to forget. It is easy within a few generations to forget and ignore the great contributions of individuals and groups of people to the welfare of a nation. New alliance and new circumstances can quickly arise and wipe out the memory and good will that perhaps was created by an individual. Joseph who saved Egypt from starvation is forgotten. Joseph who was second only to Pharaoh and his family are now in peril because the institutional memory of ancient Egypt and the Pharaonic dynasties is shallow.

This is counter to the message of our tradition. We still recall our history and preserve the names of the tribal leaders who went down to Egypt. We, Jews, know only too well the cost of forgetting. When we forget our history we have met with trouble. When we drift from our people or disconnect from the Jewish story we are lost or meet with dire consequences. Here in the beginning of the book of Exodus is evidence of that! Joseph’s contribution was forgotten (or ignored) and it was then easy for the new Pharaoh to trample over the Israelites, Joseph’s family and descendants and enslave them.

In a time when the 24 hour news cycle thirsts for an ever increasing flow of information, it is easy to forget what happened a mere 24 hours ago. Our attention shifts and is refocused quickly from story to story. But Jewish tradition teaches us that there is a critical importance in recalling the past and keeping it alive. Jewish tradition teaches us to linger at least for awhile on those memories called our people’s history. And our annual rereading and recitation of our history helps to refocus and renew our connection and our memory. Our reading of Torah and our study of the story weekly keeps those links strong. We learn from that memory and it shapes our present and our future. Certainly that we are still reading the book of Exodus and reciting aloud the names of the sons of Israel who went down with their father Jacob to Egypt links us in a profound way –their story is ours. But if no story is our own story, if there is no institutional memory, (as Exodus shows us) then the winds of change sweep away those profound links of family, community, tradition and history.

So as we begin the book of Exodus we savor the opening lines. We read the names of the households who went down to Egypt with their father Jacob- Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah. Issachar, Zebulun and Benjamin, Dan and Naphatali, Gad and Asher. Joseph was already there. By saying and reading their names we know that they are a part of us and we are a part of them.

Posted by Lee at January 8, 2007 10:04 AM