by Simon Gottlieb-Cohen
In the beginning of the second book of the Torah, we are told about the enslavement and affliction of the Children of Israel in the land of Egypt. The actual event of the exodus from bondage comes much later. Yet Exodus was the name given to the second book in the early Greek translations and carried over into all the modern European languages.
In Jewish tradition the book is known as ‘Shemot’ -Names.
Referring to the opening verse of the book ‘’ These are the names of the children of Israel, who came to Egypt with Jacob ‘’
The names Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah
Issachar, Zebulun and Benjamin
Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher.
These names are not given in a birth sequence but grouped under their mothers.
The text places Leah’s children first, then lists Rachel’s and then the two hand maidens Bilhah and Zilpah.
Joseph’s name is of course missing from this sequence as he was already in Egypt.
The fact that the book opens with a list of names, those of the tribes of Israel shows that names played an important role in the process from Egyptian slavery.
So, what’s in a name? A whole world of culture and tradition. One of the main factors that kept the Children of Israel together as one people and merited their being liberated, was according to early rabbinic sources the fact that they did not change their original Hebrew names, thus avoiding acculturation into Egyptian society. They came as Reuben, Simeon and Levi and stayed as such.
According to Biblical lore, a name represents the personality of the bearer, as well as the aspirations and directions of those who gave it.
It is interesting how many forenames and surnames have become Anglicised as if Jews are afraid to be name after Jews. Which is better Jacob or Julius, Deborah or Diane. Some names are loaded with non-Jewish connotations, and some may have anti-Jewish associations.
I have 2 names an English common name
Simon Laurence Gottlieb Cohen
And a Hebrew name to show I am of the Jewish people
Shimon Laeb ben Reb. Shmuel Beryl
Nation
It is interesting to note that the first time the children of Israel are called am a ‘people’ is in the words of Pharoah. The first one to become aware of their identity as a nation was not one of them but rather their arch enemy the new king of Egypt who warns his own people:
‘Behold the people of the children of Israel are more numerous and mightier than we’
History has repeatedly shown that national groups do not reach self-awareness of their own strength until it is pointed out to them by their enemies who recognise and fear it.
A relatively small number of Jews who decided to control their own futures by seeking, making and keeping a state wrote the story of modern Israel. Linking people to the land and building an infrastructure for a state are the story of modern Zionism, the story of Israel’s establishment.
Zionism was and remains the Jewish quest to have and sustain a Jewish state in Jews’ ancient land.
A place where Jews do not fear antisemitism, blood libels, where people can speak modern Hebrew and not be afraid of being openly Jewish.
Modern Israel was founded on14th May 1948.
In the Hebrew calendar 5th Iyar 5708, Yom Ha’aztmaut
Strong Women
Two women whose names only appear once in the Bible, Shiphrah and Puah are credited with opening the road to freedom.
Pharoah tasked these two midwives with the immoral order of killing the newly born males whilst sparing the females.
By a heroic act of civil disobedience two obscure working women defied the orders of the mighty ruler of Egypt. This act begins a process of liberation that has had resounding universal and everlasting implications. The exodus could never have taken place were it not for this first act of resistance to evil by Shiphrah and Puah.
Now then were these two midwives Egyptian or Hebrews?
If Hebrews we may understand how they could muster the courage to disobey the King’s orders and refuse to kill Hebrew children.
If they were Egyptian, their disobedience is more valiant. They did not say ‘My country right or wrong’ They are the first ‘righteous gentiles’
What made them different from the rest of the Egyptians?
What gave them the courage to resist evil even at the risk of their lives?
The answer offered in the bible is that ‘the midwives fearing God, did not do as the King of Egypt had told them.’
What is the fear of God that gives someone the strength of spirit to stand alone on the side of justice and morality in the face of danger.
The case of the Midwives is the proof that dissenting individuals can resist evil and thus start a whole process of liberation.
Princess Alice of Battenburg was born in Windsor Castle and lived in Athens Greece during World War 2. She sheltered Jewish refugees. She became deaf when young and when interviewed by a suspicious Gestapo, pretended not to understand their questions until they left her alone.
She moved back to London to Buckingham Palace to be close to her son the late Duke of Edinburgh.
She wished to be buried close to her aunt and therefore lies in a crypt in Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.
Princess Alice of Battenberg a Righteous among the Nations