In small groups read the following texts answer and discuss the questions below the texts.
(יא) וַיְהִ֣י ׀ בַּיָּמִ֣ים הָהֵ֗ם וַיִּגְדַּ֤ל מֹשֶׁה֙ וַיֵּצֵ֣א אֶל־אֶחָ֔יו וַיַּ֖רְא בְּסִבְלֹתָ֑ם וַיַּרְא֙ אִ֣ישׁ מִצְרִ֔י מַכֶּ֥ה אִישׁ־עִבְרִ֖י מֵאֶחָֽיו׃ (יב) וַיִּ֤פֶן כֹּה֙ וָכֹ֔ה וַיַּ֖רְא כִּ֣י אֵ֣ין אִ֑ישׁ וַיַּךְ֙ אֶת־הַמִּצְרִ֔י וַֽיִּטְמְנֵ֖הוּ בַּחֽוֹל׃
(11) And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown up, that he went out unto his brothers, and saw their burdens; and he saw an Egyptian striking a Hebrew, one of his brothers. (12) And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he struck down the Egyptian, and buried him in the sand.
1. In this text, Moses goes out and sees his brothers, the Hebrews, and he identifies with them. Why do you think he feels a connection to his brothers rather than the Egyptian, since he was raised in the Egyptian Palace?
2. Moses sees the burdens of his brothers, what do you think is happening in Moses that allows him to change his perspective from on who inflicts pain to one who has compassion?
3. Who are our "brothers" in the 21st century? What allows you to see their burdens?
1. What do you think Moses was feeling when God asked him to go to Pharaoh to ask for freedom for the Israelites? How would you feel if you were in Moses' shoes?
2. Pharaoh represents power, Moses' words would represent truth (that all people should be free), why do you think it is important to speak truth to power?
3. What would have happened if Moses had not gone to Pharaoh?
(9) And a stranger you shall not oppress; for you know the heart of a stranger, since you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
This formulation of the prohibition to oppress the stranger is even more personal than the previous one (Exodus 22:20-23, in this instance the command is the same, however the orphan and the widow are also mentioned, God promises to hear their cry. Here: we "know" the stranger's heart or soul.) It suggests that one purpose of the Egypt experience was to sensitize the People of Israel to the suffering of others, to teach them what it means to be alienated and oppressed, so that when they set up their own society, they will be sure not to impose such suffering on others. The presentation of these laws draws upon a distinct historical and psychological experience, suggesting that is the lessons of that experience were not internalized, it would all be for naught. (Silber, David. A Passover Hagaddah: Now Go Forth and Learn, p. 33)
4. In what ways do you personally "know the heart of the stranger"? How have you sensitized the Egypt experience?
5. Who are strangers in Columbus 2016? What is the suffering in Columbus today?
6. How have you internalized the Exodus experience so that you work to ensure that suffering not be imposed on others?
(8) And the Eternal brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders.
7. In what ways do you [partner with God to] help bring forth people from their bondage? How do you represent God's "strong hand" and "outstretched arm"?
In every generation, a person is obligated to see himself or herself as if she personally went forth out of Egypt.