The Redeemer

Weekly Torah Lesson

Parasha: Va’era and I appeared
Torah:  Shemot 6:2 – 9:35

A synonym of the verb, to redeem is to ransom.  It could mean, to buy back or to trade something in order to own something else. Judaism teaches that Moshe was the “redeemer” of Israel from Mitzryim.  The Scriptures say that Avinu  is their “Redeemer”.

6 say to the children of Israel, I am Avinu, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Mitzryimians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: 7  And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a Elohim: and you shall know that I am Avinu Elohekah, which brings you out from under the burdens of the Mitzryimians. 8  And I will bring you in to the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Avraham, to Yitzchak, and to Ya’akov; (Shemot 6:6-8)

In ancient Israel, when a “first born male” was born he “belonged” to Avinu. The child was “redeemed” by the child’s parents when they gave a kosher animal to the priests in the child’s place.

15 And it came to pass, when Paro was stubborn about letting us go, that Avinu killed all the firstborn in the land of Mitzryim, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of beast. Therefore I sacrifice to Avinu all males that open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem. (Ex 13:15 )

68 Blessed is Avinu, Elohei Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, (Lu 1:68 )

18  knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19  but with the precious blood of Meshiach, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20  He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you 21  who through Him believe in Avinu, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in Avinu. 22  Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, (1Pe 1:18-22 )

9 And they sang a new song, saying: You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to Avinu by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, (Re 5:9 )

He who “redeemed” Israel has also “redeemed” us. This is why we believe:

6 say to the children of Israel, I am Avinu, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Mitzryimians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: 7  And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a Elohim: and you shall know that I am Avinu Elohekah, which brings you out from under the burdens of the Mitzryimians. (Shemot 6:6-7)