Jewish Identity in Egypt and America: Lessons from Parshas Shemos

Rabbi Zweig addresses a fundamental question about Jewish identity in Egypt: how could the Jews merit redemption by maintaining their names, language, and dress, yet fail to observe circumcision - the most basic covenant? He argues that this apparent contradiction stems from a misunderstanding of the timeline. The Jews only maintained their distinct identity during the first 130 years in Egypt, while the original seventy souls who came down were still alive. The opening verses of Shemos describe these original settlers in present tense ("habaim" - coming), indicating they looked as if they had just arrived even after 130 years. The turning point came when a new Pharaoh arose who "did not know Yosef." According to Onkelos, this means he did not fulfill Yosef's decrees - specifically, the requirement for all Egyptians to be circumcised. When this law was rescinded, Jews faced a choice: circumcise and stand apart as different, or assimilate completely. They chose assimilation, abandoning circumcision along with their Jewish names, language, and dress.