The Jews in Egypt Source sheet.docx

Learning Objective: To evaluate how the Jewish people became a nation in Egypt There is a concept in Judaism called Tzniut – being modest. We will see how this applied to the Jews in Egypt. Background: Joseph had been sold by his brother as a slave, eventually ending up in Egypt. In Egypt, through...

Learning Objective: To evaluate how the Jewish people became a nation in Egypt There is a concept in Judaism called Tzniut – being modest. We will see how this applied to the Jews in Egypt. Background: Joseph had been sold by his brother as a slave, eventually ending up in Egypt. In Egypt, through a series of miracles, Joseph became the viceroy, the second in command, of the whole country. A great famine hit the whole region, including in the land of Canaan where Joseph’s family were living. Joseph had stored up grain in Egypt, and his brothers came down to buy grain. His brothers did not recognise Joseph, and he treated them cruelly, accusing them of being spies. Eventually, Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, telling them that he does not blame them for being sold. Bereishis (Genesis) Chapters 45&46 45:8. It was not you who sent me to Egypt, rather it was G-d. And G-d has made me the viceroy of Egypt וְעַתָּה לֹא־אַתֶּם שְׁלַחְתֶּם אֹתִי הֵנָּה כִּי הָאֱלֹ..ם וַיְשִׂימֵנִי לְאָב לְפַרְעֹה וּלְאָדוֹן לְכׇל־בֵּיתוֹ וּמֹשֵׁל בְּכׇל־אֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם׃ 9. Now, hurry back to my father and say to him from me, G-d has made me lord of all Egypt; come and join me. מַהֲרוּ וַעֲלוּ אֶל־אָבִי וַאֲמַרְתֶּם אֵלָיו כֹּה אָמַר בִּנְךָ יוֹסֵף שָׂמַנִי אֱלֹ...ם לְאָדוֹן לְכׇל־מִצְרָיִם רְדָה אֵלַי אַל־תַּעֲמֹד׃ 10. You will live in the area of Goshen, where you will be near me—you and your children and your grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and everything you own. וְיָשַׁבְתָּ בְאֶרֶץ־גֹּשֶׁן וְהָיִיתָ קָרוֹב אֵלַי אַתָּה וּבָנֶיךָ וּבְנֵי בָנֶיךָ וְצֹאנְךָ וּבְקָרְךָ וְכׇל־אֲשֶׁר־לָךְ׃ 46:5. So Jacob set off from Beer-sheba. The sons of Israel put their father and families in the wagons that Pharaoh had sent to take them. וַיָּקׇם יַעֲקֹב מִבְּאֵר שָׁבַע וַיִּשְׂאוּ בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת־יַעֲקֹב אֲבִיהֶם וְאֶת־טַפָּם וְאֶת־נְשֵׁיהֶם בָּעֲגָלוֹת אֲשֶׁר־שָׁלַח פַּרְעֹה לָשֵׂאת אֹתוֹ׃ 27. The total of Jacob’s family who came to Egypt was seventy people. כׇּל־הַנֶּפֶשׁ לְבֵית־יַעֲקֹב הַבָּאָה מִצְרַיְמָה שִׁבְעִים׃ 28. Jacob sent his son Judah ahead of him, to scout the way to Goshen. Soon, they came to the area of Goshen, וְאֶת־יְהוּדָה שָׁלַח לְפָנָיו אֶל־יוֹסֵף לְהוֹרֹת לְפָנָיו גֹּשְׁנָה וַיָּבֹאוּ אַרְצָה גֹּשֶׁן׃ What happened next?: After moving to Egypt, the Torah tells us what happened to that small family. וּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל פָּרוּ וַיִּשְׁרְצוּ וַיִּרְבּוּ וַיַּעַצְמוּ בִּמְאֹד מְאֹד וַתִּמָּלֵא הָאָרֶץ אֹתָם׃ And the sons of Israel multiplied greatly and filled the entire land. Question: What do you think the Egyptians would have felt? Being a community – 12th Sept ‘23 We are told that the Jews in Egypt did not change their: Clothes – Names – Language Questions: What do you think this means? When looking at the idea of community, what would you say is important? Can you be a community if you do not live near each other? What keeps people connected? Extended Writing In nearly every country you will find some Jewish presence. So many communities with so many different customs. Compare what the Jewish community looks like today to what it was like in Egypt. Your task is to write an ‘open letter’ to all the Jewish people. In it you will describe the importance of being a community. Talk about how the Jewish community started and what they did to remain as one community. Write a well-reasoned suggestion as to what can be done to recreate the sense of community. Acknowledge that we are different, but what can be done to bring everyone together. Explain how your idea will work and what can be done to make sure your ideas will happen. Sentence starters: Dear Jewish people We live all around the world and live amongst many different people. We need to ensure that we …… Therefore, just like the Jews in Egypt, we should …. As a result, we will….. Summarise the meaning of the key terms below Beit Knesset: A Jewish community should have a synagogue or a "beit knesset" ​ Beit Midrash: A Jewish community should also have a "beit midrash" (house of study) where members can study Torah  ​ Mikveh: A Jewish community should have a "mikveh," or ritual bath, for spiritual purification  ​ Tzedakah: A Jewish community should establish a system of charitable giving, or "tzedakah," to provide for the needs of the poor and other vulnerable members of the community. ​ Community Leadership: A Jewish community should have strong and capable leadership, including rabbis and other communal leaders, to provide guidance and direction for the community. ​ Education: A Jewish community should prioritize education, ensuring that children and adults have access to religious and secular education