A Challenge

Okay, so I promised you that I would post a שיעור about the deeper significance of the new name of 'ה that we spoke about today, "אהי-ה אשר אהי-ה".  You can learn more by listening to a fascinating class given by Mrs. Esther Wein; just click on this link and scroll down until you reach "Parshat Shemot 5771".  Once again, this class can also be heard as a podcast, just search for "Esther Wein parsha podcast" and look for the title on iTunes.


Now let's make it fun.


I know that this is not a short שיעור, clocking in at just under an hour.  Not all of it is directly related to what we are learning in שמות, but it is 100% relevant to our understanding of some major concepts in Jewish השקפה, and the fact that there is even another פורים tie-in is just icing on the cake!


Speaking of cake.....


While I would love to assign you to listen to the entire thing, I understand that for most of you, an hour is a long time.  Therefore, you are hereby required to listen only to the first 29 minutes and 50 seconds (it's easier to monitor this if you are listening to the podcast version, as some of you discovered last time).  HOWEVER, if at least 3 members of the class opt to listen to the entire שיעור and can provide written proof of having done so (in the form of an explanation of the infamous story of דוד המלך and בתשבע, and how it pertains to the general theme of אמת), I will bring in a cake some time next week for the entire class to share as a congratulatory gesture.

In the meantime, the assignment for everyone is as follows: I would like you each to summarize in 2-3 paragraphs what the name "אהי-ה אשר אהי-ה" connotes, and why 'ה chose to call Himself by that name in reference to יציאת מצרים.  You should also explain what the connection is between פורים and the ultimate, long-awaited appearance of אמת.  This work is due in class on Tuesday, March 22nd, or it can be emailed to me beforehand.


P.S. In case you were wondering who Rebbetzin Wein's grandfather is (she refers to him multiple times), you can take a look at this.