Exodus – שְׁמוֹת

Why was Moses Taken by Surprise?

Why was Moses Taken by Surprise?

A couple of days ago I received a really good question from one of the page readers. After watching the

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Who saw Moses?

Who saw Moses?

We all know this well-known story from the Book of Exodus: “One day, when Moses had grown up, he went

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Where did the phrase “one and the same” come from?

Where did the phrase “one and the same” come from?

Although it has Latin origins, this phrase became popular in English due to the King James translation of the Bible

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What was inside the Ark of the Covenant?

What was inside the Ark of the Covenant?

In last week’s post I mentioned that the Tablets of Stone were placed inside the Ark of the Covenant. Following

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What Shape was the Bronze Basin?

What Shape was the Bronze Basin?

One of the things that the pieces of furniture in the Tabernacle had in common is the full detailed instructions

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What is the original Hebrew meaning of The Table of Showbread?

What is the original Hebrew meaning of The Table of Showbread?

The Table of Showbread was placed in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple in Jerusalem exactly opposite to the

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What is the meaning of the word ‘Mitzvah’ and how does it is relate to our weekly Torah portion?

What is the meaning of the word ‘Mitzvah’ and how does it is relate to our weekly Torah portion?

Today’s “parasha” {פרשה} (weekly Torah portion) is “Tetzaveh” {תצוה} – which is the eighth “parasha” in the Book of Exodus

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What is the meaning of the Hebrew names of Moses’ two sons: Gershom and Eliezer?

What is the meaning of the Hebrew names of Moses’ two sons: Gershom and Eliezer?

When Jethro came to visit Moses, he did not come alone. Jethro’s daughter Zipporah (Moses’ wife) and Moses’ two sons

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What is the connection between the ‘Mercy Seat’ and ‘Yom Kippur?

What is the connection between the ‘Mercy Seat’ and ‘Yom Kippur?

  The Mercy Seat is the cover of the Ark of the Covenant which was made out of solid gold.

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What fascinating thing do Moses and Noah have in common?

What fascinating thing do Moses and Noah have in common?

When Moses was a baby, his mother put him in a basket and sent it floating on the Nile in

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What does the word “manna”mean in Hebrew?

What does the word “manna”mean in Hebrew?

The heavenly bread that the Children of Israel ate in the desert is better known by its other name “manna.” In

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What does “let go” mean in Biblical Hebrew?

What does “let go” mean in Biblical Hebrew?

Today’s “parasha” {פרשה}(weekly Torah portion) is “Beshalach”{בשלח} -Hebrew for “when he let go.” It is the fourth “parasha” from the Book

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What do the Hebrew words for “armed” and “five” have in common?

What do the Hebrew words for “armed” and “five” have in common?

When Pharaoh finally let the Children of Israel go from Egypt, he suddenly decided to change his mind and sent

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What did Moses and Jethro actually eat?

What did Moses and Jethro actually eat?

In yesterday’s post we discussed Jethro’s visit to Moses. At the end of this visit, the Bible tells us about the

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What Caused “The Sea Looked and Fled…?”

What Caused “The Sea Looked and Fled…?”

After the Children of Israel crossed the Red Sea they sang “the Song of the Sea” (“Shirat Ha-yam” {שירת הים}

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The Virtue of Humility: The Nature of Moses and Jeremiah

The Virtue of Humility: The Nature of Moses and Jeremiah

  As mentioned in the post of “Parashat Shemot” {פרשת שמות} (the first weekly Torah portion of the Book of

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The Tabernacle’s Pattern?

The Tabernacle’s Pattern?

Just before the Bible provides us with a detailed description of the Tabernacle’s vessels, there is an interesting verse that

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The Tabernacle and the community

The Tabernacle and the community

Today’s “parasha” {פרשה} (weekly Torah portion) is “Va-yak’hel” {ויקהל} (and he assembled) – which is the tenth  “parasha” in the Book of

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The Sorcerers of Egypt and their Magic Tricks: A Study in Contrasts

The Sorcerers of Egypt and their Magic Tricks: A Study in Contrasts

When Moses and Aaron stood before Pharaoh and performed the miracles God commanded them to do, it is written that Pharaoh’s

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The Real Meaning of ‘Crown’ in Biblical Hebrew

The Real Meaning of ‘Crown’ in Biblical Hebrew

One of the most sacred garments which became a symbol of the High Priest in the Temple was the Holy

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The Pyramids in Egypt and the Temple in Jerusalem

The Pyramids in Egypt and the Temple in Jerusalem

After the people of Israel had increased greatly in numbers in Egypt, Pharaoh decided to oppress them: ” Therefore they

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The Purification of Israel

The Purification of Israel

We discussed the TWO weekly Torah portions that sealed the Book of Exodus: “Va-yak’hel” and “Pekudei”. We mentioned that the

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The Promised Land and the Heritage of the Children of Israel

The Promised Land and the Heritage of the Children of Israel

When God spoke to Moses, before sending him to stand in front of Pharaoh, He told him to tell the

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The Meaning of the Hebrew Name Betzalel

The Meaning of the Hebrew Name Betzalel

When God commanded Moses to build the Tabernacle and its vessels He told Moses: “See, I have called by name

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The Lesson of the Incense Offering

The Lesson of the Incense Offering

The incense offering at the Tabernacle and at the Temple in Jerusalem consisted of a couple of different fragrant spices

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The Hebrew Names of the Ark of the Covenant

The Hebrew Names of the Ark of the Covenant

Today we will begin a short series of posts about the Ark of the Covenant and other vessels of the

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The Dwelling Place of Shekinah

The Dwelling Place of Shekinah

Yesterday we mentioned the main topic of the weekly Torah portion “Terumah” {תרומה} relates to the instructions for the building

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The Census Tax and the Golden Calf

The Census Tax and the Golden Calf

Today’s “parasha” {פרשה} (weekly Torah portion) is “Ki Tissa” {כי תשא} – which is the ninth “parasha” in the Book

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The “Hebrews” in Ancient Egyptian Archeology”

The “Hebrews” in Ancient Egyptian Archeology”

  In yesterday’s post we mentioned the story of Moses and the two Hebrews. The term ‘Hebrew’ is frequently repeated

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Pharaoh’s Free Will

Pharaoh’s Free Will

Before the eighth plague of Egypt – the locusts – God commanded Moses to go before Pharaoh: “Go in to

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Out of the Labyrinth

Out of the Labyrinth

Just before the Children of Israel crossed the Red Sea, the Bible tells us that God gave very specific instructions to

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Moses: The Glorious Leader of All People

Moses: The Glorious Leader of All People

When we first started discussing the Book of Exodus, I mentioned that a new phase of history had begun! The Children

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Judges and Laws: Connections and Commonalities Between Hebrew and English Legal Words

Judges and Laws: Connections and Commonalities Between Hebrew and English Legal Words

  Today’s “parasha”{פרשה} (weekly Torah portion) is “Mishpatim” {משפטים} – which is the sixth “parasha” of the Book of Exodus

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Intelligence or Understanding? A Lesson in Biblical Translation and Biblical Etymology (Part 2)

Intelligence or Understanding? A Lesson in Biblical Translation and Biblical Etymology (Part 2)

Yesterday we began a short series of three posts about the special qualities of Betzalel, the chief artisan of the

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In Defense of Self-Defense

In Defense of Self-Defense

“If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for

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Honoring Parents: The Story of Dama Ben Natina

Honoring Parents: The Story of Dama Ben Natina

  The central theme of “Parshat Yitro” {פרשת יתרו} (last week’s Torah portion) is the receiving of the Ten Commandments

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Have you heard of the “Israel Stele?”

Have you heard of the “Israel Stele?”

“The Israel Stele,” also known as “Merneptah Stele” is an inscribed stone that was made by the ancient Egyptians at

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God’s People Give

God’s People Give

Today’s “parasha” }פרשה}(weekly Torah portion) is ” Terumah” {תרומה} – which is the seventh “parasha” in the Book of Exodus and

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God’s Name and His Land Promises to the Children of Israel

God’s Name and His Land Promises to the Children of Israel

On last Saturday’s post we discussed the transition from a “family” to a “people.” In Genesis, we learned about a family

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Did the Children of Israel actually ‘Plunder’ the Egyptians? (Part Two)

Did the Children of Israel actually ‘Plunder’ the Egyptians? (Part Two)

In yesterday’s post we posed the question as to whether or not the Children of Israel actually ‘plundered’ the Egyptians?

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Did the Children of Israel Actually ‘Plunder’ the Egyptians? (Part One)

Did the Children of Israel Actually ‘Plunder’ the Egyptians? (Part One)

Today’s “parasha” {פרשה}(weekly Torah portion) is ‘Bo’ {בא} (Hebrew for ‘come’ or ‘go’) and this is the “parasha” that tells

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Carved In Stone

Carved In Stone

Where did the phrase ‘carved in stone’ come from and how it is related to the Torah? “The LORD said

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Betzalel and the Tree of Knowledge: A Lesson in Biblical Translation and Biblical Etymology (Part 3)

Betzalel and the Tree of Knowledge: A Lesson in Biblical Translation and Biblical Etymology (Part 3)

Today is our last post in the three part series about the special qualities Betzalel the chief artisan of the

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Between Theory and Practice: Jethro’s Advice to Moses

Between Theory and Practice: Jethro’s Advice to Moses

Today’s “parasha”{פרשה} (weekly Torah portion) is “Yitro” {יתרו} – which is the Hebrew name of Jethro (Moses’ father-in-law). It is

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Between Genesis and Exodus: From a Family to a People

Between Genesis and Exodus: From a Family to a People

Last week, we finished reading the Book of Genesis and today we start with the Book of Exodus. The first “parasha”

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Absence of Light or a True Darkness?

Absence of Light or a True Darkness?

One specific extraordinary thing which characterized the Ten Plagues of Egypt was the creation effect on them. Darkness was the

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Ability or Wisdom? A Lesson in Biblical Translation and Biblical Etymology

Ability or Wisdom? A Lesson in Biblical Translation and Biblical Etymology

Betzalel Ben Uri (Hebrew for Betzalel, the son of Uri) or simply Betzalel became well known because he was the

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A Pure Heart: Light and Truth

A Pure Heart: Light and Truth

The Hebrew words “Urim” and “Thummim” have a couple of meanings. ‘Urim’ comes from the Hebrew word for ‘light’ (‘Or’)

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“You shall not fall in with the many to do evil

“You shall not fall in with the many to do evil

The story beyond the verse: “You shall not fall in with the many to do evil, nor shall you bear

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“The LORD, He is God!”

“The LORD, He is God!”

THE main issue of this week’s “parasha” (weekly Torah portion) is the story of the Golden Calf. That is why

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