Parashat Shemot

This week we start the second book of the Torah, Sefer Shmot.  In English it’s referred to as the Book of Exodus, but the literal translation is “names,” because “shmot” is the first important word in the Parasha (which is how the names of the parshiyote and their books are determined.)

I was fortunate to daven on Monday with the 5th grade boys, which in itself is always a pleasurable experience.  I marveled at their growth and how they seamlessly took on the different roles, switching chazanim for the various parts of the service, knowing when to wait for others to finish a tefilah before continuing, and some very naturally simply leading the others.  As I watched these 10 and 11 year olds, I saw a society in formation, our future shul leaders: who will very likely be a Gabbai, who will help out with gathering up stray siddurim, who will help a latecomer.

At the end, I discussed with them “Shmot.”  Why are names so important?  They had many great ideas, but I, who has watched them grow and thrive over their 6 years in the Lower School, have another perspective.  Names are so important; we are all part of a greater whole.  Certainly when it is related to us as Jews, whether today or as slaves in Mitzrayim, each of us has a role.  Each of us is known by our actions, sometimes leading, sometimes following, sometimes speaking up and sometimes being silent.  HOW we are known is up to us. 

This is a recurring theme in our conversations with our students.  WHO are you?  Who do you want to be? When people hear your name, what will they think?  Is your name going to cause others to be happy, to smile, to think positive thoughts, or not?   Who determines that?    The children all know that it is they who are the determinants.  Even children who have multiple older siblings who have gone through the Lower School, whose siblings might have had the same teachers as they currently have – know that they cannot rest on their siblings’ (or parents’) laurels.  Occasionally, a student tries on “a different hat,” starts acting out in some way, maybe by not studying or doing homework, maybe by starting to disrupt a class or be the “clown.”  Is s/he satisfied with the results of these behaviors? Are these choices that have positive effects on the child? Does s/he like the consequences? Is this who the child wishes to be? 

B’nai Yisrael banded together; each family defied Egypt , slaughtered the lamb and smeared the blood, each person  took up his/her bundles and walked out of Egypt, each person said “naaseh v’nishma” (we will do and we will listen) at Har Sinai.  There was an Am Yisrael, and it was made up of individuals, of shaymote.    They forged our nation.

So too we teach our children to be individuals as well as part of a whole, but  never to forget his or her name, who s/he is, who s/he wants to be, how s/he can  help and what s/he needs to do.  In Pirkei Avot, it says in chapter 4, verse 13 “Rabbi Shimon would say: ……-but the crown of good name surmounts them all.”  We work with our students to help them find their appropriate names and encourage each to find that shiny one of a good name so that s/he may take his/her rightful place in the greater community. Shabbat Shalom