Shemot. Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. Undated
- Title
- Shemot. Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. Undated
- Author
- Morais, Sabato
- Format
- 11 pages on 4 sheets
- Language(s)
- English
- Source
- Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies
- Sabato Morais Collection, Box 9, Folder 10
- Has Format
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3gm8279w/manifest.json
- Link to Colenda
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3gm8279w
- Provenance
- Transfer of Custody from the Hebrew Education Society, 10 March 1913.
- Is Format Of
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/judaicadh/morais/main/TEI/SMBx9FF10_5.xml
- content
-
An explanatory lecture
on
Parashat Shemot.
Brethren! I purpose this Sabbath to take a cursory view of the section we have read, explaining as I proceed what may need elucidation, and referring to that from which we some useful lesson may be drawn.
The first book of the Pentateuch closes with a description of the happy state enjoyed by Joseph both socially and domestically, and of the honors he received at his death, as the embalming of his body notably shows. The second book which we have just begun, relates, at the outset, that after the brothers of the viceroy of Egypt and their contemporaries had passed away from the earth, a circumstance arose which wrought much injury against the descendants of Jacob. A new dynasty succeeded in establishing itself over the land of Mizraim, and whereas the kings of a former race had favored the Hebrews because of the advantages which the country had derived from one of their ancestors, the rulers now in power ignoring past history, followed the opposite course. Seeing a people of foreign origin increase amazingly, they harbored suspicions. They feared that
in the event of an invasion, or an insurrection, the same people might make common cause with the enemy, and even if temporarily subdued, they might leave the country which they enriched with their industry. That apprehension sug--gested a wicked device. The Israelites must be reduced to a degraded condition. Spurned and contemned because of the menial services performed, they would be incapable of manly thoughts. Overburdened with labor, they would gradually sink under its weight, and deminish in number. Now; when we bear in mind that the sufferings of our progenitors were occasioned by their having closely clung toge--ther, and that for upwards of a hundred years--which must necessarily have elapsed since the family of Jacob had died off--a mere tradition sufficed to prevent any amal--gamation with idolaters, we must bestow a meed of praise on such religious constancy. We may admit with the Rabbins that a miraculous deliverance was well earned by those who long remained distinct in name, in language and in character. Only in one instance does the Pentateuch chronicle a deviation from that faithful demeanor, and as to demonstrate its ill-effects, it records that how from an intermarriage with a heathen, the man was born who became
guilty of blasphemy. The parting words of Joseph had been indelibly stamped on the memory of his descend=-ants. From father to son was handed down the promise that for the God of the patriarchs would surely visit those that who had gone to soju sojurn sojourn in Egypt, and bring them form thence to a land of their own possession. That celestial declaration imparted a buoyancy to the mind which kept it afloat amid a sl sea of troubles. For, notwithstanding the extreme severity of the work to which they were subjected, the Israelites grew numerous and full of vigour. Therefore did the tyrant resort to an expedient which he imagined it would accomplish his scheme, without being himself himself exposed to public odium. It was after he perceived that the secret agents he had employed, refused to imbue their hands in innocent blood, that he threw off the mask, and commanded that all male- infants be cast into the Nile. How long that inhu--man mandate continued in force we cannot easily ascer--tain; but it seems that it was of short duration. For, it had not evidently been issued at the birth of
Aaron, which occurred three years prior to that of Moses, and after the wondrous rescuing of the latter, it does not appear that it was further put into execution. Still its effect on Hebrew families must need shave been crushing. If we credit an ancient legend, Amram who had already two children by Jochebed, was terrified by that edict into a total separation from his wife, and only the reasoning of his daughter Miriam awakened him to a sense of the injustice he had committed. But how must the hearts of those parents have sunk within them, when their reunion gave existence to a son! Who but the compassionate Lord beheld their watching in the dead of night to prevent the infant cry so fatal to their happiness? At every sound they startled. Every step inspired them with dread. Yet for three months the remarkably quiet nature of the child, enabled them to evade the vigilance of Pharaoh's officers. But at the expiration of that period, concealment became impossible. With anguish of spirit but not hopelessly did the mother fashion the chest wherein her babe would be shut. She places doubtless had heard from her sires, of the marvellous salvation of Noah, and she also shaped an ark which
might, through a heavenly power, defy the surging waters. She placed it on the banks of the river, and turned homeward. Her presence at that spot might arouse suspicion. But strong in faith, she placed bid her young daughter watch at a distance. A hand is stretched out. Her son will not be con--signed to an untimely death grave. The seed of wicked--ness has singularly yeilded a righteous fruit. From the stock of Pharaoh, a branch issued forth, whereon Moses held for safety. Nurtured in a lowly dwelling, he was from thence conveyed to a palace. The adopted son of a Princess imbibed rare knowledge. For, the learning of a sacerdotal caste in Egypt, was confessedly great. The favored youth must have been initiated in the arts and sciences withheld in the days of yore from the multitudes, and imparted solely to the privileged few. But if his mind had been richly stored, the education of his heart proved itself most complete. For his nature was open to the tenderest emotions, while it revolted against every act of injustice.
The sentiment which [?] prompted him to fell to the ground the dastardly Egyptian who struck the defenseless Hebrew, impelled him likewise to rebuke the Israelite who wrongfully attacked his fellow-believer. And the same human feeling was a stimulous to his manly deed at the well in the country of Midian.
Not infrequently we meet self-sufficiency as the ac--companiment of a high-spirit. He who braves dan--ger while engaged in a righteous cause, may be also likely to entertain an overweening opinion of his own powers. Moses was daring, but withal meek in the extreme. Reared in the splendour of royalty, he did not disdain to take a shepherd's crook, and go in quest of pasture. The wilderness of Sinai offered some fertile spots, wherein his flock might feed and lie down. Thither he wended his steps. Wrapped in solitude his soul must have sorrowed, in contemplating meditating on the oppression of his brethren; and [?] forth supplications for their speedy deliverance. But....why does he gaze so intently on yonder hill? The apparition is truly un stupendous! A bush unconsumed amidst a blazing fire. He moves forward. His eyes must search
into a cause so supernatural. Could the bush typify a feeble nation, and the blazing fire its fierce enemies? But how can it remain unscathed? Nay, by a divine influence resting therein. A voice calls. Moses, Moses thou art the celestially chosen Libera--tor of an oppressed race. Through thy instrumentality will be fulfilled the coe covenant established [?] with the righteous patriarchs. Their progeny will believe when thou presentest thyself as the messenger of that Being, whose name refer signifies his eternity, and whom tradition has taught to recognize as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Fear none. Thy staff will become a serpent, with which to scourge the [?], while it will lead the upright to the way of freedom. Thy hand will at times uplift the degraded, at others it will strike the d obdurate as with leprosy. And to prove furthermore that the elements will be subservient to thy will, in the discharge of thy undertaking, thou wilt be enabled to change water into blood. But the meekest of men distrust his powers. He pleads his inab incapacity by reason of his present condition in life. He alleges
the difficulty he will encounter in inspiring his brethren with confidence. He dwells on his lack of eloquence, and after all arguments advanced are set at rest, he betakes himself to prayer. He entreats the Lord that one might be sent whose agency could not possibly fail; intimating that as an angel effected the destruction of Sodom and the salvation of Lot, so now a celestial being might be commissioned to overthrow the king--dom of the Pharaohs, and let the bondmen go free. But more than we ourselves know, Our Maker understands the powers of which we are capable. He who has framed our minds sees how vigourous or how feeble are the faculties we possess. Moses was beyond question the fittest man, by nature and education to be whom an authority divine should be delegated. Who will now dispute his preeminence as a leader and a prophet? To quiet his agitated spirits, he was promised a coadjutor, but it soon became apparent that he was the soul of that mission so marvellous in all its features, so momentous in its consequences.
Taking leave of his father-in-law, Moses departed for Egypt. But almost to show human liability to error, the Scriptures relate how at the very hour he had been selected for a high purpose, the servant of the Lord in his anxiety to fulfil one duty, became oblivious of another. His negligence might have been visited on him with severity, had not his sagacious wife made atonement for it, by introducing her youngest son into the Abrahamic covenant. Reassured against all dangers, restored to perfect health, Moses directed all his thoughts to the deliverance of the enthralled. As he who long envelopped in darkness hails the faint glimmer of the rising dawn, so did the afflicted greet the two heralds of their forthcoming redemption. All they had learnt from their fathers crowded then their memories. They remembered that what now happened had been revealed four hundred years before in a vision to the first believer, and they fell prostrate in adoration to the great God, whose promises are unfailing, and whose attributes are justice and goodn mercy.
Pharaoh denied any knowledge of that eternal Being, the avenger of innocent blood. He rivetted the chains wound around his slaves. He commanded that their oppression be made more fierce. The Hebrews had heretofore received the straw, which, blended with the soft clay of Egypt, imparted to the bricks they made more solidity. But now the supply should b withheld. They should go in search thereof, with--out lessening aught of their customary task. The lash is applied to their weary bodies. Contumely is added to the injury. But God had said it. "But "The nation whom they shall serve, I will judge? The hour has struck. Inhabitant of Mizraim flee for thy life. The tempest is raging abroad. It threatens to overwhelm thy life thee. But..... wisdom has departed from Mizraim. God has poured out on her Sages a spirit of stupection stupefaction; that they might stumble and fall. The oppressors shall be rooted out from of the earth. The oppressed shall inherit it, and rejoice in the salvation of their Lord. - Identifier
- p3gm8279w
- identifier
- SMBx9FF10_5
Part of Shemot. Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. Undated
Morais, Sabato, “Shemot. Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. Undated”, Sabato Morais Digital Repository, accessed September 19, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/morais/item/91215