Shemot-Exodus Motive

Shemot-Exodus Motif

-Hebraicstudies.net-

Please do NOT visit this site on שַׁבָּת - Shabbat or on the ‘מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts!

Please Note: On this page I will show the blessed four letter *“Memorial Name” of the Almighty in Ivrit יְהוָה - YaHVaH, blessed be His Sanctified Name, which we usually pronounce as “Adonai” (LORD) or “HaSHEM” (The NAME). At all times please treat the most blessed Name with Sanctity and when we even see the Name, יְהוָהwe should say, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ - Baruch Shem Kadosho - Blessed be His Holy Name!

The Sacred Name should ONLY be used during our daily תְּפִלָּה - Te’fee’lah (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah (blessings) & during Torah studies, but NEVER during a general conversation!

“This is My Name FOREVER, and this is My Memorial to ALL Generations.” Shemot - Exodus 3:15. (JPS).

“I am יְהוָה, that is My Name; and My glory will I not give to another”. Yeshayahu – Isaiah 42:8. (JPS)

Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the TaNaKh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS), 2. “Sefaria.org” (SEF), 3. “Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC).

Colour coded details of the - TaNaKh: 1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings).

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

Some minor alterations have been made relating to Names and Attributes having been corrected.

YYYYYYY

The Shemot - Exodus Motif

Vayikra - Leviticus chapters 22 & 23.

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

In this study will first look at three verses in each of two chapters in Vayikra - Leviticus. However, there is so much more, when we remember the “Shemot - Exodus Motif”. I will come to that a little later in this study. But let us get started.

Please Note: The first three verses will be in Ivrit (Hebrew) then a Transliteration followed by English: the rest will be in English.

Vayikra - Leviticus 22:31-33. (MEC)..

וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם אֶת־מִצְו‍ֹתַי וַעֲשִׂיתֶם אֹתָם אָנֹכִי יְהוָה׃ Vs 31

“U’shmar’tem et-mitz’vo’tai va’a’si’tem o’tam; a’no’chi Adonai”..

“And ye shall keep My commandments, and do them: I am יְהוָה (the LORD).

וְלֹא תְחַלְּלוּ אֶת־שְׁמִי קָדְשִׁי וְנִקְדַּשְׁתִּי בְּקֶרֶב בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל אָנֹכִי יְהוָה Vs 32

“Ve’lo te’chal’lu et’sh’mi ko’dshi; ve’nik’dash’ti be’ke’rev b’nei-Yis’ra’el; a’no’chi Adonai”.

And ye shall not profane My Holy Name; but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel: I am יְהוָה (the LORD) who hallow you,

הַמּוֹצִיא אֶתְכֶם מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם, לִהְיוֹת לָכֶם לֵאלֹהִים: אֲנִי, יְהוָה Vs 33

“A’sher ho’tze’ti’tem o’ta’chem me’e’retz Mitz’rayim lehii’yot la’chem le’Elo’him; a’ni Adonai”.

that brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your אֱלֹהִים (God): I am יְהוָה (the LORD)’”.

Vayikra - Leviticus 23:1-3. (MEC).

“And יְהוָה (the LORD) spoke unto Moshe, saying: Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them: The appointed seasons of יְהוָה (the LORD), which ye shall proclaim to be Holy convocations, even these are My appointed seasons. Six days shall work be done; but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of work; it is a Sabbath unto יְהוָה (the LORD) in all your dwellings”.

There will be more about the three verses from chapter 23 above, after the Commentary below.

Commentary and information regarding these chapters and verses in this study:

The three verses above actually closes a section that addresses the offerings which the priests could eat and how they must maintain ritual purity. And after detailed regulations about blemished animals, etc, in Leviticus 22:31–33 pivots to the core principle: Israel’s relationship with אֱלֹהִים (God) rests on obedience and holiness!

The Key themes:

Sanctification of אֱלֹהִים (God’s) Name: Israel’s conduct reflects on the Divine reputation; to “hallow” אֱלֹהִים (God’s) Name is to live in a way that demonstrates His character and grace: Citing the Shemot - Exodus underscores אֱלֹהִים (God’s) claim on Israel He liberated them to be His people!

Divine initiative:

He covenant remembrance clause ends with “I am יְהוָה (the LORD)”, stressing that authority and sanctification flows from אֱלֹהִים (God) Himself!

Let us now look at chapter 23.

Obedience as worship: Keeping אֱלֹהִים (God’s) commandments is not a mere duty but an act of reverence.

Corporate holiness: Individual piety upholds communal standing; priests and laity share responsibility for sharing אֱלֹהִים (God’s) Name among the nations. However, what did the priests and Rabbis do, they removed it after thousands of years having been used during our תְּפִלָּה - Te’fee’lah (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah (blessings), etc.

Identity is rooted in deliverance: The “Shemot - Exodus motif” reminds us Hebrews and calls on us to remember regarding the basis that we belong to אֱלֹהִים, blessed be He.

The “Shemot - Exodus Motif” is more than a historical memory, it’s a theological and literary pattern that shapes the entire scriptural view. It’s the recurring theme of divine liberation, covenantal transformation, and sacred identity, rooted in the events described in Shemot - Exodus.

Below is the Core Structure of “the Shemot - Exodus Motif:

Stage	Description
Bondage in Egypt	Israel is enslaved, oppressed, and spiritually alienated.
Divine Intervention	God hears their cry, reveals Himself to Moses, and initiates redemption.
Miraculous Deliverance	Plagues, the splitting of the sea and divine signs demonstrate אֱלֹהִים (God’s) power.
Covenant at Sinai	Freedom leads to responsibility, the Torah is given, and Israel becomes a holy nation.
Ongoing Memory	Rituals like Pesach and Shabbat embed the Exodus into daily and yearly life.

Recurrence Across Torah and Liturgy:

The motif is not confined to Shemot, for it echoes throughout the following:

Leviticus 22:33: “I brought you out of Egypt to be your אֱלֹהִים (God) …” a covenantal reminder.

Deuteronomy 5:15: Sabbath is reframed as a memorial of liberation.

Daily prayers: The third paragraph of the Shema recalls the Exodus.

Tefillin and Mezuzah: It contains verses linking observance to the Exodus.

Even laws of compassion toward strangers, servants, and the vulnerable are often justified by “you were slaves in Egypt.”

Symbolic and Spiritual Dimensions:

The Exodus motif functions as:

A paradigm of redemption: אֱלֹהִים (God) intervenes in history to liberate and sanctify.

A model of identity: we the Hebrews are not defined by suffering, but by divine calling.

A liturgical anchor: Rituals re-enact and reaffirm the Exodus as a living truth.

It is also a pedagogical tool: Every generation is meant to see itself as having come out of Egypt, making the motif timeless and personal!

We return to Vayikra - Leviticus 23:1-3:

For memory sake, I will repeat the three verses of this chapter:

Immediate Context:

This passage introduces the festival calendar immediately after priestly purity laws. Verses 1–3 serve as a preface: אֱלֹהִים (God’s) appointed times are sacred assemblies ordained by divine command.

Key Themes:

מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ - Holy convocations. Times have been set apart for communal worship such as the Sabbath and Festivals alike.

Work and rest: The rhythm of labour and sacred pause enshrines dependence on אֱלֹהִים (God) rather than human effort.

Divine timetable: our calendar itself testifies to covenant identity.

Connection to Shemot - Exodus and Davarim - Deuteronomy:

Exodus 20:8–11 establishes Sabbath rest on creation memory; here Leviticus: 23:3 integrates that weekly rest into a broader liturgical cycle.

Deuteronomy: 5:12–15 reframes the Sabbath around our liberation; the Feast-calendar will later commemorate passages in the Exodus story and wilderness journey.

YYYYYYY

In Conclusion, a Question to Deepen the Conversation:

Which part of this study or a particular sentence within it, has touched you the most? And how do you feel about spending more time on studying the Tanakh? I pray that you are you doing well as a faithful Hebrew, and אֱלֹהִים - Elohim willing, you are upholding as many of our blessed Mitzvoth’s?

However, I am well aware that the modern world sadly contains far too many deviations as well as problems that seem to get in the way. Yet worse than that, it is obvious that there are far too many enticements, which can so easily throw many off track. Thus, if there are various struggles that may be taking place in your life at this or at any time, I am well aware that it sadly it often may have a sad and a cruel effect upon your life? Remember this, pray for peace, and then work on keeping as calm as possible and learn to improve your life, for אֱלֹהִים is always ready to help you! This site is also for those who need to return to our blessed and wonderful faith, thus work on your faith and pray and always seek אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance!

And remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said ...

“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה - the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi 3:7. MEC).

And Remember ...

Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, thus Shabbat Shalom!

אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ אוֹתָם

וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם

“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה (the LORD your God); walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - YaHVaH Elohim”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).

YYYYYYY

“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”,

For our Elohim is the One who gave us our ... Life!

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom (Peace) of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה(the LORD of hosts) be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the ‘מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Te’fee’lah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

iiEnter the Main Site IndexI

Or ...

http://www.hebraicstudies.net/Site-Index.htm

0Or Return to the FRONT PAGE0

Or ...

https://www.hebraicstudies.net

-hebraicstudies.net-

Email the Rabbi

RBA@hebraicstudies.net

If the email link does not open - You can also copy the link and use it.

Although the author does not believe in having to copyright “Hebraic Studies” which commenced in the mid 1980’,

but there have been occasions where there parts of his studies have been taken and quoted out of context

under his name, and thus he has been misquoted by those who have their own reasons for doing so.

Thus, it is only for this reason these works are covered under strict ...