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Shiur #1: Sefer Shmot - Introduction
Shiur #2: Let My People Go - A Hoax or a Mission?

Sefer Shmot - Introduction

What is Sefer Shmot? Before we talk about what "shmot" means, we must first explain what the word "sefer" implies. In our study of Chumash [the five 'books'], we work under the basic assumption that each "sefer" [book] carries a unique theme. Therefore, as we study each sefer we attempt to identify that theme. Then, we consider that theme in our study of each individual chapter or unit. In our study of Sefer Breishit, we employed this approach to uncover its primary theme of "bechira." Now, in our study of Sefer Shmot, we employ a similar approach to uncover its own theme, as well as its connection to that of Sefer Breishit. So what binds Sefer Shmot together? As we will show in our shiur, this is not an easy question to answer.

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Let My People Go - A Hoax or a Mission?

Is 'Let My People Go' just a hoax? As preposterous as this might sound, Rashbam claims that it's "pshat"! He explains that each time Moshe commands Pharaoh to 'let My people go,' he requests permission merely to allow Bnei Yisrael a three-day journey to worship their God in the desert. Yet never do we find Moshe telling Pharaoh the 'whole truth,' that he in fact intends to lead Bnei Yisrael out of slavery to the Promised Land. Is Moshe 'telling a lie'?! In this week's shiur, we uncover the basis for this daring interpretation by Rashbam, while arriving ourselves at a much different conclusion.

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