Now is when we answer these questions with a little story.

  • The Israelite community emerged in Egypt as a result of Joseph, son of Jacob. As an interpreter of the Pharaoh’s dreams, he was able to predict oncoming feasts and famines, saving the Egyptians from starvation. As a result, his family was invited to settle in Egypt, and they flourished, becoming known as the Israelites, or the descendants of Jacob (also known as Israel, which means “wrestling with God”).

  • Eventually, a new Pharaoh came to power who did not remember Joseph or what he had done for Egypt. All he knew was that the Israelites were too numerous, and that threatened him, as he feared that these outsiders would rise up against him. As a result, he enslaved the Israelites, who were forced to build monuments. The worst decree of all- all Israelite baby boys were ordered to be drowned in the Nile.

  • One Israelite woman, Yocheved, gave birth to a baby boy. She could not bear to drown him, so she hid him in her home. Eventually, however, his cries became too loud, so she put him in a basket and placed him in the Nile. His sister, Miriam, watched over him until the Pharaoh’s daughter found the basket and takes him in to be raised, naming him Moses, or “he who was drawn from the water.”

  • Miriam approached Pharaoh’s daughter, telling her that she could find her a wet nurse- an Israelite woman named Yocheved! Thus, Moses was allowed to be raised in his own home and learn about his identity until he was older. Then, he was given back to the Pharoah’s daughter, who raised him like a son.

  • Moses grew up in luxury in the palace, but he could not ignore the suffering of his people forever. One day, he left the palace and saw an Egyptian slavemaster beating an Israelite slave, which infuriated him so much that he killed the slave master. Horrified at what he’d done, Moses fled Egypt for the land of Midian.  

  • One day, Moses came across a bush that, although burning, was not consumed by the fire. From this bush he heard God’s voice telling him to return to Egypt and free the Israelites from slavery. Moses objected, as he had a speech impediment and doubted his abilities. However, he eventually gave in on the conditions that God will help and guide him the whole way and that his brother Aaron be his spokesman.


haggadah Section: -- Exodus Story