Moshe's Return to Egypt: Responsibility Without Position

This shiur analyzes the narrative of Moshe's return to Egypt at the beginning of Parshas Shemos, focusing on the puzzling dynamics between Moshe, Hashem (ה׳), and Yisro. Rabbi Zweig opens by highlighting numerous textual difficulties: Why does the Torah (תורה) use the seemingly redundant language "Vayelech Moshe vayashav" (Moshe went and returned)? Why is Yisro called "Yeser" here when that name only became appropriate later? Why does Moshe ask Yisro's permission when God already commanded him to return? And if Moshe was bound by oath to Yisro, how could God command him to do something impossible? The core insight emerges from examining Moshe's seven-day dialogue with Hashem at the burning bush. Unlike Avrohom, who jumped to fulfill God's command to sacrifice Yitzchok, Moshe argued and refused repeatedly. This cannot be simple disobedience—rather, it reveals that Hashem was not commanding Moshe but offering him an appointment. The Hebrew word "tzivui" means both "command" and "appointment," but they differ fundamentally: a command cannot be refused, while an appointment by definition includes the right to refuse. Throughout the burning bush dialogue, Hashem is convincing Moshe, offering arguments and reassurances ("Who gave man speech? Who made you escape Pharaoh's executioners?"), not issuing orders.