Judaism – Origins 3
Historical context
The tradition of the Exodus begins with the Hebrews in Egypt following the story of
Joseph. Over the passage of time the situation has worsened considerably for the
Hebrews. Having once enjoyed a favoured status in Egypt they have now been
reduced to the situation of slaves.
The oppression of the Hebrews reached a highpoint with the decree of the Pharaoh
to execute any male child born to the Hebrews (Exodus 1:15-22). It is in this
environment that the child Moses was born. However, due to the cunning of the
midwives in subverting the Pharaoh's decree, Moses' life was spared and he came to
be a dopted by the Pharaoh's daughter (Exodus 2:1-10).
Having killed an Egyptian who was beating one of the Hebrews, Moses was forced to
flee to save his life taking refuge in Midian. In the course of his sojourn in Midian,
Moses experienced and extraordinary encounter with God in the story of the burning
bush at Horeb (Exodus 3:1-22).
Moses' encounter with God at Horeb
This encounter comes in the form of God calling Moses for the mission of liberating
the Hebrew people from their captivity in Egypt. God is announced to Moses as "the
God of your father.the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob" (Exodus
3:6).
Moses' mission
The story continues with God's lament for the suffering of the Hebrews in Egypt and
God's proclamation of their rescue and deliverance to "a land flowing with milk and
honey" (Exodus 3:8). God also announces that Moses is to be the one to lead the
people out of Egypt. Moses protests that he is not capable of the task but God
responds "I will be with you: and this shall be your proof that it is I who have sent
you: when you bring my people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this very
mountain" (Exodus 3:12).
As the encounter proceeds the name of God is revealed to Moses. This name is
regarded as sacred in the Jewish tradition and is not spoken out of reverence for God.
Moses petitions the Pharaoh
Following this encounter Moses returned to Egypt with his brother Aaron. On their
return Moses and Aaron petitioned Pharaoh to release the Hebrews from slavery,
however, their request was refused. Not only was the request refused but the treatment
of the Hebrews worsened. As a consequence Moses and Aaron were subjected to the
complaints of their people for making their situation worse.
God then sent Moses and Aaron to Pharaoh with the threat of catastrophe. Once again
the petition was rejected and as a consequence the first of the plagues occurs, the
water turned into blood. This was followed by eight other plagues, however, the
Pharaoh continued to reject the petition (Exodus 7:25-10:29).
Death of the first born
After the ninth plague, God instructed Moses to prepare for the tenth and final plague,
the death of the first born. The Hebrews were to prepare to escape in haste. They were
to sacrifice a lamb and daub blood on the door posts and lintel of the house to
designate it as belonging to the Hebrews. During the night the angel of the Lord
passed through the land bringing about the death of the first born in every house not
marked with the blood as prescribed. The angel passed over the houses belonging to
the Hebrews sparing their first born.
The Passover ritual in Judaism takes its name from the "passing over" of the Hebrew
households during the death of the first born. The ritual includes the elements drawn
from the instructions given to the Hebrew people on the night of the Exodus from
Egypt (Exodus 12). The Passover ritual is one of the most significant occasions in the
Jewish calendar.
Following the death of the first born, Pharaoh relented and allowed the Hebrews to go
free. After the Hebrews had begun to escape, Pharaoh changed his mind and sent his
army in pursuit of the fleeing Hebrews.
Red Sea
This pursuit climaxed at the Red Sea where Moses was instructed by God to stretch
out his staff over the water which parted allowing the Hebrews to cross to the other
side. In their pursuit the Egyptian army attempted to take the same course, however,
Moses stretched out his hand again and the water flowed back in its place drowning
the Egyptians who were pursuing them (Exodus 14:21-28).
Exodus - The foundational moment in Judaism
The process of the Hebrew people being liberated from their captivity in Egypt is
known as the Exodus. It is a defining moment in the Jewish tradition and is seen as
foundational for the tradition. In this moment of liberation the Hebrew people
experience the saving action of God. They experience the reality of God's intervention
in human history and they learn of God's concern for those who are oppressed.
God's saving action
The Exodus is a profound moment of understanding for the Jewish people. In and
through the Exodus they come to understand God's intervention as a saving action
overcoming oppression and leading to freedom. This liberating action is seen as
characteristic of God and the concern God has for the poor and disadvantaged.
Importance of liberation in Jewish ethics
Not only does the Exodus stand as a foundational moment in the Jewish tradition, it
also significantly defines the ethics of Judaism in rejecting oppression and working
towards the liberation of all people.
After crossing the Red Sea the Hebrew people were sustained in the wilderness
through Quail and Manna and water which flowed from rock (Exodus 16). They
continued journeying in the desert until they reached Mount Sinai.
Sinai covenant
Exodus chapter 19 begins the climactic experience of Moses' encounter with God at
Sinai. It begins with a reiteration of the covenant made with Abraham. "If you listen
to my voice and keep my covenant you shall be my special possession, dearer to me
than all other people. You shall be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation" (Exodus
19:5-6).
Ten Commandments
The experience continues with the great theophany where Moses encounters God face
to face on Mount Sinai. In this encounter Moses receives the Ten Commandments
(Exodus 20:1-17).
Torah lies at the heart of Judaism
These commandments are the beginning of what is referred to as the Sinai law. This
law is the Torah, the very heart of the Jewish tradition. The Torah spells out the
expected response of the Jewish people to the requirements of the Covenant.
613 mitzvot
The Ten Commandments are followed immediately in the text by numerous laws
governing all aspects of community life. Interspersed among these laws are
statements ratifying the Covenant (Exodus 24:1-11). The chapters of laws amount to
613 including the Ten Commandments. These are the 613 mitzvot of the Torah which
are required to be followed by observant Jews.
The 613 mitzvot of the Torah form the basis for the actions of Jewish people in
relation to every aspect of life. They govern religious ritual, interpersonal
relationships, business dealings, dietary requirements and a myriad of other concerns.