Guiding Questions: Exodus 3

This is part of the Tanakh Yomi Project.

  1. Does text indicate how long Moses had been serving as a shepherd for his father-in-law?
  2. Does text indicate why the name of his father-in-law is now rendered as Jethro instead of Reuel?
  3. Is it assumed that the reader will know where “Har HaElohim” was (in Horeb not in Sinai) and what the nature of this mount was?
  4. Is there any introduction whatsoever or preparation for the appearance of a “messenger (angel) of God” to Moses?
  5. In Exodus 3:2 reference is made not to “a bush” but “the bush”; would there be any significance in the definite article as representing an established tradition?
  6. Insofar as the bush itself was concerned it was burning and not consumed, and this led Moses to express what observation?
  7. Exodus 3:4 notes that “God saw that he turned to look” and then called to him; what if he had not turned to look? What characteristic was evidenced by the “turning to look” which led to “God speaking?”
  8. What is the (a) test of leadership — the courage to explore the new?
  9. Does Moses “pass the test” — does he flee or does he “turn to inquire?”
  10. From the time of Jacob’s death and through the early part of Shmot (a period of some hundreds of years) has God reached out to man?
  11. Is God’s “silence”, then, now ended?
  12. Is Moses, accordingly, the “continuum” of the Patriarchs?
  13. And is Moses to “take out” only or to “bring to” and to what – “lifestyle” and/or “living place?”
  14. Does leadership (as per this vignette) “accept assignment without close questioning and inquiry?”
  15. Is the inquiry as to the “sending authority” answered?
  16. But — who/what is “Eheyeh”; I will be — i.e.: “I represent the future, change, etc.” or?
  17. And, is there another (a second) answer of identification of the sending authority and, if yes, why?
  18. Is the “second” name a “function” of the first (having common grammatical roots) or is it “other?”
  19. Which of the answers to the Name inquiry has come to be the answer as to “God’s name?

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    Exploring Judaism is the digital home for Conservative/Masorti Judaism, embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning, learning, and connecting. Our goal is to create content based on three core framing: Meaning-Making (Why?), Practical Living (How?), and Explainers (What?).

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Perek Yomi materials originally produced by the USCJ and Dr. Morton K. Siegel.
We are grateful to be able to share this material.

Author

  • favicon of exploring judaism logo

    Exploring Judaism is the digital home for Conservative/Masorti Judaism, embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning, learning, and connecting. Our goal is to create content based on three core framing: Meaning-Making (Why?), Practical Living (How?), and Explainers (What?).

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