Summary of Parashat Shemot (Weekly Torah Portion)

BS"D

Rishon: The Parasha opens up with a recap of the seventy souls who came down to Mitzrayim. Yosef, his brothers and all that generation have now passed away and Bnei Yisrael have increased and filled the land. A new Paroh came into power who did not know Yosef. He created propaganda against Bnei Yisrael and made his people fearful of them. He then appointed officials over them and subjected them to backbreaking labor. The more they were afflicted, the more they increased. Paroh then told the Jewish midwives to kill all the male babies on the birthstool. They feared Hashem however, and did not do as they were told.

Sheni: Paroh questioned them about their failure to follow his orders and Hashem caused him to believe their excuse. Bnei Yisrael continued to increase and grow stronger. Paroh then ordered that all the male babies born were to be thrown into the river. Baby Moshe was then born and hidden for a period of three months. At that point he was put into a basket and placed in the river. Paroh's daughter discovered him and decided to raise him as her own child, she named him Moshe.

Shelishi: Moshe grew up and went out to see his brethren. He saw a Mitzri hitting an Ivri, so he killed the Mitzri and hid him in the sand. The next day Moshe saw two Ivriim fighting, and he realized that yesterdays matter had become known. He fled to Midyan where he ended up marrying Tzipporah, the daughter of Yitro. They had a son and named him Gershom. During this time, Yisrael cried out because of their hard labor and Hashem remembered the covenant with their forefathers and paid attention to them.

Revii: While out shepherding Yitro's flock, Moshe saw a bush that was burning but not being consumed. He turned to look at it and understand what this was all about. G-d called to him from within the bush and told him to remove his shoes because he was standing on holy ground. G-d told Moshe that He desired to take the Jewish people out from Mitzrayim and that he was the one who was to be their leader. Moshe doubted his ability to approach Paroh and take Yisrael out from Mitzrayim. Moshe then asked G-d for a name to tell Yisrael. The response was, "tell them, I Will Be With You has sent me to you."

Chamishi: Hashem tells Moshe to gather the elders, approach Paroh and ask him to allow Bnei Yisrael to go out for a three day journey into the desert. Hashem tells Moshe that He will strike Mizrayim and perform wonders and Yisrael will leave with many possessions of gold, silver and clothing. Moshe is concerned that Yisrael will not believe him that he is a messenger of G-d. Hashem then gives Moshe three signs to gain Yisrael's trust. 1) The staff that turned into a snake 2) His hand which turned white 3) Water from the Nile which will turn to blood when poured onto the ground. Moshe then said to Hashem that he is not a man of words and has difficulty speaking. Hashem promises to help Moshe speak, but Moshe preferred that another messenger be sent in his place. Hashem got angry with Moshe and told him that Aharon will be his mouthpiece. 

Shishi: Moshe took leave of Yitro and returned to Mizrayim with his wife and sons. On the way, an angel of Hashem came to kill Moshe. Tzipporah quickly took a sharp stone and circumcized her son to save her husband's life. Aharon then met Moshe in the desert and they went along with the elders to show the signs to Bnei Yisrael who believed them. 

Shevii: Moshe and Aharon then went to Paroh and asked him to let G-d's people go. Paroh said 'No'. He then commanded the taskmasters to cut off the supply of straw to the Jews and to still require the same quota of bricks to be made. The overseers of Bnei Yisrael were beaten when the quota was not met. The people complained to Moshe and to Aharon regarding their worsened situation. Moshe asked Hashem why things had been made worse. Hashem responded to Moshe, "Now you will see what I will do to Paroh."