Invoking the Memory of the Exodus

The Principles of Egypt: Memory and Morality: Dear class, Tonight we will explore the different contexts in which the Exodus is mentioned in the Torah after the physical exodus from Egypt. What are the lessons we were supposed to internalize as a nation from the experience? We will begin to answer this compelx question by assessing mitzvot and other statements made by God in which he utlizes the theme of the Exodus. Next week we will learn about the four pesach celebrations mentioned in Tanach and see how they do and don’t relate to the conclusions we came to this week. I have attached source materials which we will use tonight. Best, Yosefa

Invoking the Memory: Pesach Celebrations in Nach: Dear class, As mentioned last night, next week we will be discussing the four celebrations of Pesach mentioned in Neviim and Ketuvim. We will notice that each of these celebration, while sharing a holiday in common, really relate to the challenges and successes of each individual period. It would be very helpful if you could reveiw these stories before the shiur. We will not have time to go through all of them verse by verse. Yehoshua 5-If you have time, feel free to review the first four chapters as well paying attention to the other parallels to stories from Chumash. II Divrei Hayamim 30 (Chizkiyahu’s Pesach) and 35 (Yoshiyahu’s Pesach). The Yoshiyahu story appears in a much shorter version in II Melachim 23:21-23. Ezra 6 (specifically verses 19-22). Feel free to use a translation for the Aramaic if you wish to read the entire perek. This week’s source sheets are attached. I want to thank you for being patient regarding last night’s technical difficulties. I have already contacted the Webyeshiva technician and we will do our best to make sure that doesn’t happen again. Shavua tov, Yosefa