Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)

1 Adonaispoke to Moshe and Aharon in the land of Egypt; he said,

2 “You are to begin your calendar with this month; it will be the first month of the year for you.

3 Speak to all the assembly of Isra’el and say, ‘On the tenth day of this month, each man is to take a lamb or kid for his family, one per household —

4 except that if the household is too small for a whole lamb or kid, then he and his next-door neighbor should share one, dividing it in proportion to the number of people eating it.

5 Your animal must be without defect, a male in its first year, and you may choose it from either the sheep or the goats.

6 “‘You are to keep it until the fourteenth day of the month, and then the entire assembly of the community of Isra’el will slaughter it at dusk.

7 They are to take some of the blood and smear it on the two sides and top of the door-frame at the entrance of the house in which they eat it.

8 That night, they are to eat the meat, roasted in the fire; they are to eat it withmatzahandmaror.

9 Don’t eat it raw or boiled, but roasted in the fire, with its head, the lower parts of its legs and its inner organs.

10 Let nothing of it remain till morning; if any of it does remain, burn it up completely.

11 “‘Here is how you are to eat it: with your belt fastened, your shoes on your feet and your staff in your hand; and you are to eat it hurriedly. It isAdonai’sPesach[Passover].

12 For that night, I will pass through the land of Egypt and kill all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both men and animals; and I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt; I amAdonai.

13 The blood will serve you as a sign marking the houses where you are; when I see the blood, I will pass over you — when I strike the land of Egypt, the death blow will not strike you.

14 “‘This will be a day for you to remember and celebrate as a festival toAdonai; from generation to generation you are to celebrate it by a perpetual regulation.

15 “‘For seven days you are to eatmatzah —on the first day remove the leaven from your houses. For whoever eatshametz[leavened bread] from the first to the seventh day is to be cut off from Isra’el.

16 On the first and seventh days, you are to have an assembly set aside for God. On these days no work is to be done, except what each must do to prepare his food; you may do only that.

17 You are to observe the festival ofmatzah, for on this very day I brought your divisions out of the land of Egypt. Therefore, you are to observe this day from generation to generation by a perpetual regulation.

18 From the evening of the fourteenth day of the first month until the evening of the twenty-first day, you are to eatmatzah.

19 During those seven days, no leaven is to be found in your houses. Whoever eats food withhametzin it is to be cut off from the community of Isra’el — it doesn’t matter whether he is a foreigner or a citizen of the land.

20 Eat nothing withhametzin it. Wherever you live, eatmatzah.’”

(v)

21 Then Moshe called for all the leaders of Isra’el and said, “Select and take lambs for your families, and slaughter thePesachlamb.

22 Take a bunch of hyssop leaves and dip it in the blood which is in the basin, and smear it on the two sides and top of the door-frame. Then, none of you is to go out the door of his house until morning.

23 ForAdonaiwill pass through to kill the Egyptians; but when he sees the blood on the top and on the two sides,Adonaiwill pass over the door and will not allow the Slaughterer to enter your houses and kill you.

24 You are to observe this as a law, you and your descendants forever.

25 “When you come to the land whichAdonaiwill give you, as he has promised, you are to observe this ceremony.

26 When your children ask you, ‘What do you mean by this ceremony?’

27 say, ‘It is the sacrifice ofAdonai’sPesach[Passover], because[Adonai]passed over the houses of the people of Isra’el in Egypt, when he killed the Egyptians but spared our houses.’” The people of Isra’el bowed their heads and worshipped.

28 Then the people of Isra’el went and did asAdonaihad ordered Moshe and Aharon — that is what they did.

(vi)

29 At midnightAdonaikilled all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh sitting on his throne to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock.

30 Pharaoh got up in the night, he, all his servants and all the Egyptians; and there was horrendous wailing in Egypt; for there wasn’t a single house without someone dead in it.

31 He summoned Moshe and Aharon by night and said, “Up and leave my people, both you and the people of Isra’el; and go, serveAdonaias you said.

32 Take both your flocks and your herds, as you said; and get out of here! But bless me, too.”

33 The Egyptians pressed to send the people out of the land quickly, because they said, “Otherwise we’ll all be dead!”

34 The people took their dough before it had become leavened and wrapped their kneading bowls in their clothes on their shoulders.

35 The people of Isra’el had done what Moshe had said — they had asked the Egyptians to give them silver and gold jewelry and clothing;

36 andAdonaihad made the Egyptians so favorably disposed toward the people that they had let them have whatever they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.

37 The people of Isra’el traveled from Ra‘amses to Sukkot, some six hundred thousand men on foot, not counting children.

38 A mixed crowd also went up with them, as well as livestock in large numbers, both flocks and herds.

39 They bakedmatzahloaves from the dough they had brought out of Egypt, since it was unleavened; because they had been driven out of Egypt without time to prepare supplies for themselves.

40 The time the people of Isra’el lived in Egypt was 430 years.

41 At the end of 430 years to the day, all the divisions ofAdonaileft the land of Egypt.

42 This was a night whenAdonaikept vigil to bring them out of the land of Egypt, and this same night continues to be a night whenAdonaikeeps vigil for all the people of Isra’el through all their generations.

43 Adonaisaid to Moshe and Aharon, “This is the regulation for thePesachlamb: no foreigner is to eat it.

44 But if anyone has a slave he bought for money, when you have circumcised him, he may eat it.

45 Neither a traveler nor a hired servant may eat it.

46 It is to be eaten in one house. You are not to take any of the meat outside the house, and you are not to break any of its bones.

47 The whole community of Isra’el is to keep it.

48 If a foreigner staying with you wants to observeAdonai’sPesach, all his males must be circumcised. Then he may take part and observe it; he will be like a citizen of the land. But no uncircumcised person is to eat it.

49 The same teaching is to apply equally to the citizen and to the foreigner living among you.”

50 All the people of Isra’el did just asAdonaihad ordered Moshe and Aharon.

51 On that very day,Adonaibrought the people of Isra’el out of the land of Egypt by their divisions.

1 (vii)Adonaisaid to Moshe,

2 “Set aside for me all the firstborn. Whatever is first from the womb among the people of Isra’el, both of humans and of animals, belongs to me.”

3 Moshe said to the people, “Remember this day, on which you left Egypt, the abode of slavery; becauseAdonai, by the strength of his hand, has brought you out of this place. Do not eathametz.

4 You are leaving today, in the month of Aviv.

5 WhenAdonaibrings you into the land of the Kena‘ani, Hitti, Emori, Hivi and Y’vusi, which he swore to your ancestors to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, you are to observe this ceremony in this month.

6 For seven days you are to eatmatzah, and the seventh day is to be a festival forAdonai.

7 Matzahis to be eaten throughout the seven days; neitherhametznor leavening agents are to be seen with you throughout your territory.

8 On that day you are to tell your son, ‘It is because of whatAdonaidid for me when I left Egypt.’

9 “Moreover, it will serve you as a sign on your hand and as a reminder between your eyes, so thatAdonai’sTorahmay be on your lips; because with a strong handAdonaibrought you out of Egypt.

10 Therefore you are to observe this regulation at its proper time, year after year.

11 WhenAdonaibrings you into the land of the Kena‘ani, as he swore to you and your ancestors, and gives it to you,

12 you are to set apart forAdonaieverything that is first from the womb. Every firstborn male animal will belong toAdonai.

13 Every firstborn from a donkey, you are to redeem with a lamb; but if you choose not to redeem it, you must break its neck. But from people, you are to redeem every firstborn son.(Maftir)

14 When, at some future time, your son asks you, ‘What is this?’ then say to him, ‘With a strong handAdonaibrought us out of Egypt, out of the abode of slavery.

15 When Pharaoh was unwilling to let us go,Adonaikilled all the firstborn males in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of humans and the firstborn of animals. This is why I sacrifice toAdonaiany male that is first from the womb of an animal, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.’

16 This will serve as a sign on your hand and at the front of a headband around your forehead that with a strong handAdonaibrought us out of Egypt.”

Haftarah Bo: Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 46:13–28

B’rit Hadashah suggested readings for Parashah Bo: Luke 2:22–24; Yochanan (John) 19:31–37; Acts 13:16 –17; Revelation 8:6–9:12; 16:1–21

Parashah 16: B’shallach (After he had let go) 13:17–17:16

17 After Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not guide them to the highway that goes through the land of the P’lishtim, because it was close by — God thought that the people, upon seeing war, might change their minds and return to Egypt.

18 Rather, God led the people by a roundabout route, through the desert by the Sea of Suf. The people of Isra’el went up from the land of Egypt fully armed.

19 Moshe took the bones of Yosef with him, for Yosef had made the people of Isra’el swear an oath when he said, “God will certainly remember you; and you are to carry my bones up with you, away from here.”

20 They traveled from Sukkot and set up camp in Etam, at the edge of the desert.

21 Adonaiwent ahead of them in a column of cloud during the daytime to lead them on their way, and at night in a column of fire to give them light; thus they could travel both by day and by night.

22 Neither the column of cloud by day nor the column of fire at night went away from in front of the people.

1 Adonaisaid to Moshe,

2 “Tell the people of Isra’el to turn around and set up camp in front of Pi-Hachirot, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Ba‘al-Tz’fon; camp opposite it, by the sea.

3 Then Pharaoh will say that the people of Isra’el are wandering aimlessly in the countryside, the desert has closed in on them.

4 I will make Pharaoh so hardhearted that he will pursue them; thus I will win glory for myself at the expense of Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will realize at last that I amAdonai.” The people did as ordered.

5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his servants had a change of heart toward the people. They said, “What have we done, letting Isra’el stop being our slaves?”

6 So he prepared his chariots and took his people with him —

7 he took 600 first-quality chariots, as well as all the other chariots in Egypt, along with their commanders.

8 Adonaimade Pharaoh hardhearted, and he pursued the people of Isra’el, as they left boldly.(ii)

9 The Egyptians went after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, with his cavalry and army, and overtook them as they were encamped by the sea, by Pi-Hachirot, in front of Ba‘al-Tz’fon.

10 As Pharaoh approached, the people of Isra’el looked up and saw the Egyptians right there, coming after them. In great fear the people of Isra’el cried out toAdonai

11 and said to Moshe, “Was it because there weren’t enough graves in Egypt that you brought us out to die in the desert? Why have you done this to us, bringing us out of Egypt?

12 Didn’t we tell you in Egypt to let us alone, we’ll just go on being slaves for the Egyptians? It would be better for us to be the Egyptians’ slaves than to die in the desert!”

13 Moshe answered the people, “Stop being so fearful! Remain steady, and you will see howAdonaiis going to save you. He will do it today — today you have seen the Egyptians, but you will never see them again!

14 Adonaiwill do battle for you. Just calm yourselves down!”

(A: iii)

15 Adonaiasked Moshe, “Why are you crying to me? Tell the people of Isra’el to go forward!

16 Lift your staff, reach out with your hand over the sea, and divide it in two. The people of Isra’el will advance into the sea on dry ground.

17 As for me, I will make the Egyptians hardhearted; and they will march in after them; thus I will win glory for myself at the expense of Pharaoh and all his army, chariots and cavalry.

18 Then the Egyptians will realize that I amAdonai, when I have won myself glory at the expense of Pharaoh, his chariots and his cavalry.”

19 Next, the angel of God, who was going ahead of the camp of Isra’el, moved away and went behind them; and the column of cloud moved away from in front of them and stood behind them.

20 It stationed itself between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Isra’el — there was cloud and darkness here, but light by night there; so that the one did not come near the other all night long.

21 Moshe reached his hand out over the sea, andAdonaicaused the sea to go back before a strong east wind all night. He made the sea become dry land, and its water was divided in two.

22 Then the people of Isra’el went into the sea on the dry ground, with the water walled up for them on their right and on their left.

23 The Egyptians continued their pursuit, going after them into the sea — all Pharaoh’s horses, chariots and cavalry.

24 Just before dawn,Adonailooked out on the Egyptian army through the column of fire and cloud and threw them into a panic.

25 He caused the wheels of their chariots to break off, so that they could move only with difficulty. The Egyptians said, “Adonaiis fighting for Isra’el against the Egyptians! Let’s get away from them!”

(A: iv, S: iii)

26 Adonaisaid to Moshe, “Reach your hand out over the sea, and the water will return and cover the Egyptians with their chariots and cavalry.”

27 Moshe reached his hand out over the sea, and by dawn the sea had returned to its former depth. The Egyptians tried to flee, butAdonaiswept them into the sea.

28 The water came back and covered all the chariots and cavalry of Pharaoh’s army who had followed them into the sea — not even one of them was left.

29 But the people of Isra’el walked on dry ground in the sea, with the water walled up for them on their right and on their left.

30 On that day,Adonaisaved Isra’el from the Egyptians; Isra’el saw the Egyptians dead on the shore.

31 When Isra’el saw the mighty deed thatAdonaihad performed against the Egyptians, the people fearedAdonai, and they believed inAdonaiand in his servant Moshe.

1 Then Moshe and the people of Isra’el sang this song toAdonai:

“I will sing toAdonai, for he is highly exalted:

the horse and its rider he threw in the sea.

2 Yahis my strength and my song,

and he has become my salvation.

This is my God: I will glorify him;

my father’s God: I will exalt him.

3 Adonaiis a warrior;

Adonaiis his name.

4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his army

he hurled into the sea.

His elite commanders

were drowned in the Sea of Suf.

5 The deep waters covered them;

they sank to the depths like a stone.

6 Your right hand,Adonai, is sublimely powerful;

your right hand,Adonai, shatters the foe.

7 By your great majesty you bring down your enemies;

you send out your wrath to consume them like stubble.

8 With a blast from your nostrils the waters piled up —

the waters stood up like a wall,

the depths of the sea became firm ground.

9 The enemy said, ‘I will pursue and overtake,

divide the spoil and gorge myself on them.

I will draw my sword; my hand will destroy them.’

10 You blew with your wind, the sea covered them,

they sank like lead in the mighty waters.

11 Who is like you,Adonai, among the mighty?

Who is like you, sublime in holiness,

awesome in praises, working wonders?

12 You reached out with your right hand:

the earth swallowed them.

13 In your love, you led the people you redeemed;

in your strength, you guided them to your holy abode.

14 The peoples have heard, and they tremble;

anguish takes hold of those living in P’leshet;

15 then the chiefs of Edom are dismayed;

trepidation seizes the heads of Mo’av;

all those living in Kena‘an are melted away.

16 Terror and dread fall on them;

by the might of your arm they are still as stone

until your people pass over,Adonai,

till the people you purchased pass over.

17 You will bring them in and plant them

on the mountain which is your heritage,

the place,Adonai, that you made your abode,

the sanctuary,adonai, which your hands established.

18 Adonaiwill reign forever and ever.

19 For the horses of Pharaoh went with his chariots

and with his cavalry into the sea,

butAdonaibrought the sea waters back upon them,

while the people of Isra’el walked on dry land

in the midst of the sea!”

20 Also Miryam the prophet, sister of Aharon, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines, dancing,

21 as Miryam sang to them:

“Sing toAdonai, for he is highly exalted!

The horse and its rider he threw in the sea!”

22 Moshe led Isra’el onward from the Sea of Suf. They went out into the Shur Desert; but after traveling three days in the desert, they had found no water.

23 They arrived at Marah but couldn’t drink the water there, because it was bitter. This is why they called it Marah [bitterness].

24 The people grumbled against Moshe and asked, “What are we to drink?”

25 Moshe cried toAdonai; andAdonaishowed him a certain piece of wood, which, when he threw it into the water, made the water taste good. ThereAdonaimade laws and rules of life for them, and there he tested them.

26 He said, “If you will listen intently to the voice ofAdonaiyour God, do what he considers right, pay attention to hismitzvotand observe his laws, I will not afflict you with any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians; because I amAdonaiyour healer.”

(A: v, S: iv)

27 They came to Eilim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and camped there by the water.

1 They traveled on from Eilim, and the whole community of the people of Isra’el arrived at the Seen Desert, between Eilim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after leaving the land of Egypt.

2 There in the desert the whole community of the people of Isra’el grumbled against Moshe and Aharon.

3 The people of Isra’el said to them, “We wishAdonaihad used his own hand to kill us off in Egypt! There we used to sit around the pots with the meat boiling, and we had as much food as we wanted. But you have taken us out into this desert to let this whole assembly starve to death!”

4 Adonaisaid to Moshe, “Here, I will cause bread to rain down from heaven for you. The people are to go out and gather a day’s ration every day. By this I will test whether they will observe myTorahor not.

5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they have brought in, it will turn out to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.”

6 Moshe and Aharon said to all the people of Isra’el, “This evening, you will realize that it has beenAdonaiwho brought you out of Egypt;

7 and in the morning, you will seeAdonai’s glory. For he has listened to your grumblings againstAdonai— what are we that you should grumble against us?”

8 Moshe added, “What I have said will happen whenAdonaigives you meat to eat this evening and your fill of bread tomorrow morning.Adonaihas listened to your complaints and grumblings against him — what are we? Your grumblings are not against us but againstAdonai.”

9 Moshe said to Aharon, “Say to the whole community of Isra’el, ‘Come close, into the presence ofAdonai, for he has heard your grumblings.’”

10 As Aharon spoke to the whole community of the people of Isra’el, they looked toward the desert; and there before them the glory ofAdonaiappeared in the cloud;(A: vi, S: v)

11 andAdonaisaid to Moshe,

12 “I have heard the grumblings of the people of Isra’el. Say to them: ‘At dusk you will be eating meat, and in the morning you will have your fill of bread. Then you will realize that I amAdonaiyour God.’”

13 That evening, quails came up and covered the camp; while in the morning there was a layer of dew all around the camp.

14 When the dew had evaporated, there on the surface of the desert was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground.

15 When the people of Isra’el saw it, they asked each other, “Man hu?[What is it?]” because they didn’t know what it was. Moshe answered them, “It is the bread whichAdonaihas given you to eat.

16 Here is whatAdonaihas ordered: each man is to gather according to his appetite — each is to take an‘omer[two quarts] per person for everyone in his tent.”

17 The people of Isra’el did this. Some gathered more, some less;

18 but when they put it in an‘omer-measure, whoever had gathered much had no excess; and whoever had gathered little had no shortage; nevertheless each person had gathered according to his appetite.

19 Moshe told them, “No one is to leave any of it till morning.”

20 But they didn’t pay attention to Moshe, and some kept the leftovers until morning. It bred worms and rotted, which made Moshe angry at them.

21 So they gathered it morning after morning, each person according to his appetite; but as the sun grew hot, it melted.

22 On the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two‘omers per person; and all the community leaders came and reported to Moshe.

23 He told them, “This is whatAdonaihas said: ‘Tomorrow is a holyShabbatforAdonai. Bake what you want to bake; boil what you want to boil; and whatever is left over, set aside and keep for the morning.’”

24 They set it aside till morning, as Moshe had ordered; and it didn’t rot or have worms.

25 Moshe said, “Today, eat that; because today is aShabbatforAdonai— today you won’t find it in the field.

26 Gather it six days, but the seventh day is theShabbat —on that day there won’t be any.”

27 However, on the seventh day, some of the people went out to gather and found none.

28 Adonaisaid to Moshe, “How long will you refuse to observe mymitzvotand teachings?

29 Look,Adonaihas given you theShabbat.This is why he is providing bread for two days on the sixth day. Each of you, stay where you are; no one is to leave his place on the seventh day.”(S: vi)

30 So the people rested on the seventh day.

31 The people called the foodman. It was like coriander seed, white; and it tasted like honey cakes.

32 Moshe said, “Here is whatAdonaihas ordered: ‘Let two quarts ofmanbe kept through all your generations, so that they will be able to see the bread which I fed you in the desert when I brought you out of Egypt.’”

33 Moshe said to Aharon, “Take a jar, put in it two quarts ofman, and set it aside beforeAdonaito be kept through all your generations.”

34 Just asAdonaiordered Moshe, Aharon set it aside before the testimony to be kept.

35 The people of Isra’el atemanfor forty years, until they came to an inhabited land. They atemanuntil they arrived at the borders of the land of Kena‘an.

36 (An‘omeris one-tenth of aneifah[which is a bushel dry-measure].)

1 (vii)The whole community of the people of Isra’el left the Seen Desert, traveling in stages, asAdonaihad ordered, and camped at Refidim; but there was no water for the people to drink.

2 The people quarreled with Moshe, demanding, “Give us water to drink!” But Moshe replied, “Why pick a fight with me? Why are you testingAdonai?”

3 However, the people were thirsty for water there and grumbled against Moshe, “For what did you bring us up from Egypt? To kill us, our children and our livestock with thirst?”

4 Moshe cried out toAdonai, “What am I to do with these people? They’re ready to stone me!”

5 Adonaianswered Moshe, “Go on ahead of the people, and bring with you the leaders of Isra’el. Take your staff in your hand, the one you used to strike the river; and go.

6 I will stand in front of you there on the rock in Horev. You are to strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so the people can drink.” Moshe did this in the sight of the leaders of Isra’el.

7 The place was named Massah [testing] and M’rivah [quarreling] because of the quarreling of the people of Isra’el and because they testedAdonaiby asking, “IsAdonaiwith us or not?”

8 Then ‘Amalek came and fought with Isra’el at Refidim.

9 Moshe said to Y’hoshua, “Choose men for us, go out, and fight with ‘Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with God’s staff in my hand.”

10 Y’hoshua did as Moshe had told him and fought with ‘Amalek. Then Moshe, Aharon and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

11 When Moshe raised his hand, Isra’el prevailed; but when he let it down, ‘Amalek prevailed.

12 However, Moshe’s hands grew heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aharon and Hur held up his hands, the one on the one side and the other on the other; so that his hands stayed steady until sunset.

13 Thus Y’hoshua defeated ‘Amalek, putting their people to the sword.

(Maftir)

14 Adonaisaid to Moshe, “Write this in a book to be remembered, and tell it to Y’hoshua: I will completely blot out any memory of ‘Amalek from under heaven.”

15 Moshe built an altar, called itAdonaiNissi[Adonaiis my banner/miracle],

16 and said, “Because their hand was against the throne ofYah,Adonaiwill fight ‘Amalek generation after generation.”

Haftarah B’shallach: Shof’tim (Judges) 4:4–5:31 (A); 5:1–31 (S)

B’rit Hadashah suggested readings for Parashah B’shallach: Luke 2:22–24; Yochanan (John) 6:25–35; 19:31–37; 1 Corinthians 10:1–13; 2 Corinthians 8:1–15; Revelation 15:1–4

Parashah 17: Yitro (Jethro) 18:1–20:23(26)

1 Now Yitro the priest of Midyan, Moshe’s father-in-law, heard about all that God had done for Moshe and for Isra’el his people, howAdonaihad brought Isra’el out of Egypt.

2 After Moshe had sent away his wife Tzipporah and her two sons, Yitro Moshe’s father-in-law had taken them back.

3 The name of the one son was Gershom, for Moshe had said, “I have been a foreigner in a foreign land.”

4 The name of the other was Eli‘ezer [my God helps], “because the God of my father helped me by rescuing me from Pharaoh’s sword.”

5 Yitro Moshe’s father-in-law brought Moshe’s sons and wife to him in the desert where he was encamped, at the mountain of God.

6 He sent word to Moshe, “I, your father-in-law Yitro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons.”

7 Moshe went out to meet his father-in-law, prostrated himself and kissed him. Then, after inquiring of each other’s welfare, they entered the tent.

8 Moshe told his father-in-law all thatAdonaihad done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Isra’el’s sake, all the hardships they had suffered while traveling and howAdonaihad rescued them.

9 Yitro rejoiced over all the good thatAdonaihad done for Isra’el by rescuing them from the Egyptians.

10 Yitro said, “Blessed beAdonai, who has rescued you from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh, who has rescued the people from the harsh hand of the Egyptians.

11 Now I know thatAdonaiis greater than all other gods, because he rescued those who were treated so arrogantly.”

12 Yitro Moshe’s father-in-law brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God, and Aharon came with all the leaders of Isra’el to share the meal before God with Moshe’s father-in-law.

(ii)

13 The following day Moshe sat to settle disputes for the people, while the people stood around Moshe from morning till evening.

14 When Moshe’s father-in-law saw all that he was doing to the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing to the people? Why do you sit there alone, with all the people standing around you from morning till evening?”

15 Moshe answered his father-in-law, “It’s because the people come to me seeking God’s guidance.

16 Whenever they have a dispute, it comes to me; I judge between one person and another, and I explain to them God’s laws and teachings.”

17 Moshe’s father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing isn’t good.

18 You will certainly wear yourself out — and not only yourself, but these people here with you as well. It’s too much for you — you can’t do it alone, by yourself.

19 So listen now to what I have to say. I will give you some advice, and God will be with you. You should represent the people before God, and you should bring their cases to God.

20 You should also teach them the laws and the teachings, and show them how to live their lives and what work they should do.

21 But you should choose from among all the people competent men who are God-fearing, honest and incorruptible to be their leaders, in charge of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

22 Normally, they will settle the people’s disputes. They should bring you the difficult cases; but ordinary matters they should decide themselves. In this way, they will make it easier for you and share the load with you.

23 If you do this — and God is directing you to do it — you will be able to endure; and all these people too will arrive at their destination peacefully.”

(iii)

24 Moshe paid attention to his father-in-law’s counsel and did everything he said.

25 Moshe chose competent men from all Isra’el and made them heads over the people, in charge of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

26 As a general rule, they settled the people’s disputes — the difficult cases they brought to Moshe, but every simple matter they decided themselves.

27 Then Moshe let his father-in-law leave, and he went off to his own country.

1 (iv)In the third month after the people of Isra’el had left the land of Egypt, the same day they came to the Sinai Desert.

2 After setting out from Refidim and arriving at the Sinai Desert, they set up camp in the desert; there in front of the mountain, Isra’el set up camp.

3 Moshe went up to God, andAdonaicalled to him from the mountain: “Here is what you are to say to the household of Ya‘akov, to tell the people of Isra’el:

4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.

5 Now if you will pay careful attention to what I say and keep my covenant, then you will be my own treasure from among all the peoples, for all the earth is mine;

6 and you will be a kingdom ofcohanimfor me, a nation set apart.’ These are the words you are to speak to the people of Isra’el.”

(v)

7 Moshe came, summoned the leaders of the people and presented them with all these words whichAdonaihad ordered him to say.

8 All the people answered as one, “EverythingAdonaihas said, we will do.” Moshe reported the words of the people toAdonai.

9 Adonaisaid to Moshe, “See, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, so that the people will be able to hear when I speak with you and also to trust in you forever.” Moshe had toldAdonaiwhat the people had said;

10 soAdonaisaid to Moshe, “Go to the people; today and tomorrow separate them for me by having them wash their clothing;

11 and prepare for the third day. For on the third day,Adonaiwill come down on Mount Sinai before the eyes of all the people.

12 You are to set limits for the people all around; and say, ‘Be careful not to go up on the mountain or even touch its base; whoever touches the mountain will surely be put to death.

13 No hand is to touch him; for he must be stoned or shot by arrows; neither animal nor human will be allowed to live.’ When theshofarsounds, they may go up on the mountain.”

(S: vi)

14 Moshe went down from the mountain to the people and separated the people for God, and they washed their clothing.

15 He said to the people, “Prepare for the third day; don’t approach a woman.”

16 On the morning of the third day, there was thunder, lightning and a thick cloud on the mountain. Then ashofarblast sounded so loudly that all the people in the camp trembled.

17 Moshe brought the people out of the camp to meet God; they stood near the base of the mountain.

18 Mount Sinai was enveloped in smoke, becauseAdonaidescended onto it in fire — its smoke went up like the smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain shook violently.

19 As the sound of theshofargrew louder and louder, Moshe spoke; and God answered him with a voice.

(A: vi, S: vii)

20 Adonaicame down onto Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain; thenAdonaicalled Moshe to the top of the mountain; and Moshe went up.

21 Adonaisaid to Moshe, “Go down and warn the people not to force their way through toAdonaito see him; if they do, many of them will perish.

22 Even thecohanim, who are allowed to approachAdonai, must keep themselves holy; otherwise,Adonaimay break out against them.”

23 Moshe said toAdonai, “The people can’t come up to Mount Sinai, because you ordered us to set limits around the mountain and separate it.”

24 ButAdonaianswered him, “Go, get down! Then come back up, you and Aharon with you. But don’t let thecohanimand the people force their way through to come up toAdonai, or he will break out against them.”

25 So Moshe went down to the people and told them.

1 Then God said all these words:

א

2 “I amAdonaiyour God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the abode of slavery.

ב

3 “You are to have no other gods before me.

4 You are not to make for yourselves a carved image or any kind of representation of anything in heaven above, on the earth beneath or in the water below the shoreline.

5 You are not to bow down to them or serve them; for I,Adonaiyour God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sins of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,

6 but displaying grace to the thousandth generation of those who love me and obey mymitzvot.

ג

7 “You are not to use lightly the name ofAdonaiyour God, becauseAdonaiwill not leave unpunished someone who uses his name lightly.

ד

8 “Remember the day,Shabbat, to set it apart for God.

9 You have six days to labor and do all your work,

10 but the seventh day is aShabbatforAdonaiyour God. On it, you are not to do any kind of work — not you, your son or your daughter, not your male or female slave, not your livestock, and not the foreigner staying with you inside the gates to your property.

11 For in six days,Adonaimade heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. This is whyAdonaiblessed the day,Shabbat, and separated it for himself.

ה

12 “Honor your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land whichAdonaiyour God is giving you.

ו

13 “Do not murder.

ז “Do not commit adultery.

ח “Do not steal.

ט “Do not give false evidence against your neighbor.

י

14 “Do not covet your neighbor’s house; do not covet your neighbor’s wife, his male or female slave, his ox, his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

(A: vii)

15 All the people experienced the thunder, the lightning, the sound of theshofar, and the mountain smoking. When the people saw it, they trembled. Standing at a distance,

16 they said to Moshe, “You, speak with us; and we will listen. But don’t let God speak with us, or we will die.”

17 Moshe answered the people, “Don’t be afraid, because God has come only to test you and make you fear him, so that you won’t commit sins.”

18 So the people stood at a distance, but Moshe approached the thick darkness where God was.

(A: Maftir)

19 Adonaisaid to Moshe, “Here is what you are to say to the people of Isra’el: ‘You yourselves have seen that I spoke with you from heaven.

20 You are not to make with me gods of silver, nor are you to make gods of gold for yourselves.(S: Maftir)

21 For me you need make only an altar of earth; on it you will sacrifice your burnt offerings, peace offerings, sheep, goats and cattle. In every place where I cause my name to be mentioned, I will come to you and bless you.

22 If you do make me an altar of stone, you are not to build it of cut stones; for if you use a tool on it, you profane it.

23 Likewise, you are not to use steps to go up to my altar; so that you won’t be indecently uncovered.’”

Haftarah Yitro: Yesha‘yahu (Isaiah) 6:1–7:6; 9:5(6)– 6(7) (A); 6:1–13 (S)

B’rit Hadashah suggested readings for Parashah Yitro: Mattityahu (Matthew) 5:21–30; 15:1–11; 19:16–30; Mark 7:5–15; 10:17–31; Luke 18:18–30; Acts 6:1–7; Romans 2:17–29; 7:7–12; 13:8–10; Ephesians 6:1–3; 1 Timothy 3:1–14; 2 Timothy 2:2; Titus 1:5–9; Messianic Jews (Hebrews) 12:18–29; Ya‘akov (James) 2:8–13; 1 Kefa (1 Peter) 2:9–10

Parashah 18: Mishpatim (Rulings) 21:1–24:18

1 “These are the rulings you are to present to them:

2 “If you purchase a Hebrew slave, he is to work six years; but in the seventh, he is to be given his freedom without having to pay anything.

3 If he came single, he is to leave single; if he was married when he came, his wife is to go with him when he leaves.

4 But if his master gave him a wife, and she bore him sons or daughters, then the wife and her children will belong to her master, and he will leave by himself.

5 Nevertheless, if the slave declares, ‘I love my master, my wife and my children, so I don’t want to go free,’

6 then his master is to bring him before God; and there at the door or doorpost, his master is to pierce his ear with an awl; and the man will be his slave for life.

7 “If a man sells his daughter as a slave, she is not to go free like the men-slaves.

8 If her master married her but decides she no longer pleases him, then he is to allow her to be redeemed. He is not allowed to sell her to a foreign people, because he has treated her unfairly.

9 If he has her marry his son, then he is to treat her like a daughter.

10 If he marries another wife, he is not to reduce her food, clothing or marital rights.

11 If he fails to provide her with these three things, she is to be given her freedom without having to pay anything.

12 “Whoever attacks a person and causes his death must be put to death.

13 If it was not premeditated but an act of God, then I will designate for you a place to which he can flee.

14 But if someone willfully kills another after deliberate planning, you are to take him even from my altar and put him to death.

15 “Whoever attacks his father or mother must be put to death.

16 “Whoever kidnaps someone must be put to death, regardless of whether he has already sold him or the person is found still in his possession.

17 “Whoever curses his father or mother must be put to death.

18 “If two people fight, and one hits the other with a stone or with his fist, and the injured party doesn’t die but is confined to his bed;

19 then, if he recovers enough to be able to walk around outside, even if with a cane, the attacker will be free of liability, except to compensate him for his loss of time and take responsibility for his care until his recovery is complete.

(ii)

20 “If a person beats his male or female slave with a stick so severely that he dies, he is to be punished;

21 except that if the slave lives for a day or two, he is not to be punished, since the slave is his property.

22 “If people are fighting with each other and happen to hurt a pregnant woman so badly that her unborn child dies, then, even if no other harm follows, he must be fined. He must pay the amount set by the woman’s husband and confirmed by judges.

23 But if any harm follows, then you are to give life for life,

24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

25 burn for burn, wound for wound and bruise for bruise.

26 “If a person hits his male or female slave’s eye and destroys it, he must let him go free in compensation for his eye.

27 If he knocks out his male or female slave’s tooth, he must let him go free in compensation for his tooth.

28 “If an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox is to be stoned and its flesh not eaten, but the owner of the ox will have no further liability.

29 However, if the ox was in the habit of goring in the past, and the owner was warned but did not confine it, so that it ended up killing a man or a woman; then the ox is to be stoned, and its owner too is to be put to death.

30 However, a ransom may be imposed on him; and the death penalty will be commuted if he pays the amount imposed.

31 If the ox gores a son or daughter, the same rule applies.

32 If the ox gores a male or female slave, its owner must give their master twelve ounces of silver; and the ox is to be stoned to death.

33 “If someone removes the cover from a cistern or digs one and fails to cover it, and an ox or donkey falls in,

34 the owner of the cistern must make good the loss by compensating the animal’s owner; but the dead animal will be his.

35 “If one person’s ox hurts another’s, so that it dies, they are to sell the live ox and divide the revenue from the sale; and they are also to divide the dead animal.

36 But if it is known that the ox was in the habit of goring in the past, and the owner did not confine it; he must pay ox for ox, but the dead animal will be his.

37 “If someone steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters or sells it, he is to pay five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep.