Jewish Texts

Moses and Aaron play complementary roles in communicating God's message of redemption to both the Children of Israel and to Pharaoh.

As the Israelites transition from being servants of Pharaoh to servants of God, they acknowledge that God will instruct them in how to best serve God.

The complicated beginnings of the Exodus from Egypt establish the expectation that redemption is often not a smooth process.

Jacob blessed his sons, not only according to each of their characters, but also with a unique piece of himself.

We should strive to emulate Abraham and Isaac rather than emulating Laban, who compartmentalized his values.

In naming his sons, Joseph communicates his thoughts on living in Egypt, alone and distant from his family.

Joseph used his position of rulership to help his brothers develop coping skills for their upcoming exile.

Judah merits the position of kingship because of his ability to acknowledge and overcome his mistakes.

Jacob sends Esau the message that despite having lived with Laban, he has kept the commandments and learned to stand up to powerful figures.

The fates of Abraham and Sarah as compared to Sodom teach us that ethics, not power, determines the future.

The greatest tributes to Sarah's life were the achievements and character of her son Isaac.

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