Shining a spotlight – Sh’mot
The opening of the second Book of the Torah is also the opening of a new phase of history.
With B’reshit, which we completed last Shabbat, we see the beginnings of the history of the cosmos. The focus broadens from the first man and woman to the families of humankind.
Then, with Sh’mot, the focus narrows again and the Torah shines the spotlight on the story of one of the nations, the Israelite people which from now onwards is the especial concern and interest of the Divine Creator/Lawgiver under the leadership of Moses and his successors.
