This coming Shabbat, February 13 -14, 2004 - Shevat 21, 5764, we will read Parshat Yitro (annual cycle - Exodus 18:1 -22:23; triennial cycle - Exodus 19:1 -22:23). The Haftarah is from Isaiah 6:1 - 7:6; 9:5 - 6.

In this week’s Torah portion we find one of two biblical versions of the Ten Commandments. The other, found in Parshat Va-Ethanan (Deuteronomy Chapter 5) is virtually the same as the Exodus version. However, there are a few minor and other more noticeable differences. Both versions begin with the following statement: “I the Lord am your God Who brought you out of the land of Egypt, the house of bondage….”

The original Hebrew for the English phrase “house of bondage” is “” which literally means “the house of slaves.” The classical rabbinic commentators who were sensitive to every nuance of the Hebrew language point out that the term “mibayt avadeem – house of slaves” may refer to the fact that Egypt became a house of slaves for all the inhabitants. Egypt at one time was a center of slavery, of bondage, not only for Jews, but also for the Egyptians as well. It was a house of bondage throughout.

We know of this from the Bible, specifically from the end of the Book of Genesis. Genesis 47:19 tells us that during the well-known years of famine the Egyptians needed to sell their property, and eventually give up their own freedom to Pharaoh, in order to purchase food. That verse informs us that the Egyptians declared, “…we with our land will be serfs (avadeem) to Pharaoh….” The Egyptians become slaves, as they no longer can own any land on their own.

This applies to all the Egyptians except for one group, the priests. They alone in Egyptian society were able to retain their land (see Genesis 47:22). Interestingly, later on, the opposite holds true for the Israelites. The priests end up becoming the only group among the Israelite people who never own any land, probably to serve in continual contrast to the status of priests in ancient Egypt. The only class of people to avoid the status of slaves were the priests of Egypt – they do not become slaves!

And so, this may help us understand Exodus 19:6 (another verse taken from this week’s Parshat Yitro) which is in the chapter immediately preceding the revelation of the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai. In this verse all Israelites are told that all the people come together to create a “mamlechet cohaneem v’goy kadosh – a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”

It is possible that the Ten Commandments begin with the phrase, “I the Lord am your God Who brought you out of the house of bondage…” in contrast to the land of Egypt, where everyone was a slave except the cohaneem – the priests. It is as if God is saying, “I will make you, the Israelite people, through the Ten Commandments which apply to everyone, a nation not of slaves, but of priests. You will be part of a holy nation and you, the former slave now will be raised to the highest level in society.

Following the Ten Commandments and keeping them central to our tradition ensures the equal status we all share. Honoring them will not allow us to tolerate or accept slavery for anyone. They remind us quite clearly that we worship God and nothing or no one else. They have always been and will always be the bridge

- between humanity and God, and between one human and another.

Candle lighting time is 5:23 PM.

Our Friday night Sisterhood Shabbat service will begin at 6:15 PM.

Our Shabbat morning service will begin at 9:15 AM (this will be the time of Shabbat morning services through February 21).

Our Shabbat Minha service will begin at 12:30 PM.

Our service on Sunday morning, February 15 will begin at 8:45 AM.

Our services on Presidents' Day, Monday February 16, will begin at 9:00 AM and 7:30 PM.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Philip Pohl