Shemot 5774
In this week’s parasha, Shemot, we read the dramatic scene of Moses, when he leaves the palace to explore what is happening in Egypt. The narrator (Exodus 2:11-12) tells us that Moses observes and Egyptian beating an ivri, a Hebrew: “And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian...” Moses looks around, and seeing no one, he kills the Egyptian. There are two main ways of understanding this passage.The first is that Moses looked around to see if there would be any witnesses to what he was about to do. He was checking to ensure that no one could trace this back to him.
But another way of reading this narrative is that which is mentioned in the rabbinic midrash (Vayikra Rabba 32:4): that no one was ready to champion the cause of the Holy One, the just ways of God.
Some of our rabbis, picking up on the fact that the verse says that Moses did not see an ish, another person stepping up, immediately ascribe to Moses the devout observance of the rabbinic maxim: Where there is no person, strive to be one (Pirkay Avot 2:5).
In this first trial, and the two that follow, Moses proves that he will fight for justice for those whose lives are threatened. Whether for his brothers and sisters, for friends, or for neighbors, Moses risks his life to protect the weak. Moses, when seeing that no one else is stepping up, takes actions into his own hands.
This shabbat, we commemorate the yahrzeit of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, one of the great rabbis and social activists of the 20th century. Rabbi Heschel’s yahrzeit, the 18th of Tevet, typically falls during the week of this week’s parasha. There could not be a more appropriate parasha to commemorate Rabbi Heschel’s memory than the one when we remember the origins of Moses fighting on behalf of those who are most vulnerable. After all, Rabbi Heschel marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, Alabama, walking arm in arm to bring about civil rights in our nation.
It is this legacy that we commemorate this week as we remember Rabbi Heschel’s yahrzeit, and as we prepare to commemorate the legacy of Dr. King. On Monday, January 20th, from 2:00-4:30 p.m., we at Anshe Emet will be hosting an interfaith Day of Study and Action in Honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. The theme of the day is entitled: “CIVIL RIGHTS: People of Multiple Faiths Continuing in MLK’s Struggle.” We are very excited to host over a hundred people (middle school and older) of multiple faiths residing in the Lakeview area here in our synagogue, as we come together for a day of learning and service in honor of Dr. King. We will begin by reflecting on the legacy of MLK from faith leaders from various traditions, followed by learning about problems of civil rights in our communities. Then we will begin acting on solving these problems through tangible action.
As we commemorate Rabbi Heschel’s memory, and as we think about Moses’ legacy as a man who fought for injustice, I hope that you will join us in that conversation one month from now, as we follow in the footsteps of Dr. King and his dream for a more just society here in America.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi David Russo
