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Why does Sefer Shemos repeat the names of the Shevatim from Bereishis? The shiur develops the Maharal's yesod that a person's function in the family unit mirrors exactly his cosmic role. The Shevatim's birth names—reflecting their mother's personal circumstances—simultaneously foreshadow their roles in the three stages of redemption: Egypt's slavery, Kriyas Yam Suf, and post-Exodus national development.
This shiur explores the profound transition between Sefer Bereishis and Sefer Shemos, addressing why the Torah (תורה) appears to repeat nearly word-for-word the enumeration of Yaakov's sons despite almost 100 years having passed. The fundamental question is why there is a demarcation between these two sefarim at all, given that according to Rashi (רש"י), the entire section from Bereishis through Parshas Yisro was given at Har Sinai as one unit, and Moshe read the Sefer HaBris which encompassed everything from Bereishis through the beginning of Mishpatim. The key to understanding this lies in recognizing that Sefer Bereishis and Sefer Shemos represent two fundamentally different perspectives on the same people. Sefer Bereishis is the "sefer of the Avos"—it focuses on the patriarchs and their relationship with HaKadosh Baruch Hu. In that context, the children and grandchildren are viewed as they affect and participate in the family dynamics of the Avos. The phrase in Bereishis "Ve'eileh Shemos Bnei Yisrael Haba'im Mitzrayima Eis Yaakov" describes them as coming "with Yaakov"—they are functioning as children within a patriarchal family structure headed by Yaakov.
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Shemos 1:1-7
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