Glossary of Terms Used in the Shemot Weekly Torah Portion

Moses

“Moses” is the force within us that pulls us out of this world and into the spiritual one.

Burning Bush

The “burning bush” is Malchut that rises to Bina and receives the light of Hochma.

Pharaoh

“Pharaoh” is the entirety of our ego. The word, Pharaoh, comes from the word, Oref (back of the neck), which is the posterior of our will to receive. The will to receive is the substance of Creation. That substance can aim toward its own benefit, but it can also aim toward the benefit of others, depending on how we use it.

For now we are receiving it, as it is written, “I have created the evil inclination,” as Pharaoh. We must turn it into the good inclination through the spice of Torah, which is the upper light we draw through our studies. This is how we shift from hatred of others to love of others.

Nile

The Nile is all of Egypt’s wisdom. It is written, “There is wisdom in the nations, believe” (Midrash Rabah, Eicha, Portion 2). Israel is small, the least of all the nations. It does not have the power of wisdom (Hochma), the great desire. It only has the force of bestowal, love. The Nile symbolizes all of Egypt’s wisdom.