This past week I had the privilege of being asked to give a shiur to the students who are learning Shnayim Mikrah as an introduction to Sefer Shemot. (Thank you, Mr. Rossman). I decided to share some ideas based on a presentation by Rabbi David Fohrman. Rabbi Fohrman wonders why is this book called Shemot “Names” and what does it tell us about the nature of the purpose of the sefer? And, the question is even greater when you see that in English/Latin it is called “Exodus” - which is a pretty good summary of the main theme of the book. Why don’t we call it “Yetziat Mitzrayim”?
Yes, we know that the literal answer is that the sefer begins with the words וְאֵ֗לֶּה שְׁמוֹת֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל הַבָּאִ֖ים מִצְרָ֑יְמָה- “These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt…” so that is the simplistic reason. The answer is found by looking at the first Rashi 1:1:
ואלה שמות בני ישראל. אַעַ"פִּ שֶׁמְּנָאָן בְּחַיֵּיהֶם בִּשְׁמוֹתָם, חָזַר וּמְנָאָם בְּמִיתָתָם, לְהוֹדִיעַ חִבָּתָם, שֶׁנִּמְשְׁלוּ לְכוֹכָבִים, שֶׁמּוֹצִיאָם וּמַכְנִיסָם בְּמִסְפַּר וּבִשְׁמוֹתָם (שמות רבה), שֶׁנֶּ' "הַמּוֹצִיא בְמִסְפָּר צְבָאָם לְכֻלָּם בְּשֵׁם יִקְרָא" (ישעיהו מ'):
NOW THESE ARE THE NAMES OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL — Although scripture has already enumerated them by name whilst they were living, when they went down into Egypt (Genesis 46:8-27), it again enumerates them when it tells us of their death, thus showing how dear they were to God — that they are compared to the stars which also God brings out and brings in by number and name when they cease to shine, as it is said, (Isaiah 40:26) “He bringeth out their host by number, He calleth them all by name” (Exodus Rabbah 1:3; Tanchuma Yashan 1:1:2).
Rashi says that the list of their names is repeated, even though it was already mentioned at the end of Sefer Bereishit, to show us how much Hashem loves the Jewish people- how dear they were to Him. He counts them one by one, by name, as He does the stars.
What does counting have to do with naming? The Midrash sees that naming and counting (the stars and Bnai Yisrael) is a sign of affection. Rabbi Fohrman uses a parable: The teacher who has a huge class, but remembers each student’s name, knows when somebody is absent, even that shy kid in the back of the classroom – that’s amazing. There’s a teacher who really cares. God cares about the stars. He puts them all out individually at night, and tucks each one back to sleep in the morning. And so he will relate to us…
The book of Shemot is about the slavery, and one might think that it is an indication that Hashem does not care about the Jewish people. But, in essence it is a fulfillment of the promise to Avraham, that they will be many, they will be enslaved, but Hashem will save them and take care of them. I think calling the book “Names”... Through it all (the enslavement), G-d knows our names. He cares about each and every one of us, in all of our pain, in all of our anguish. For we are, after all, like stars, indeed.”
What a beautiful introduction to the sefer. But, as an educator, I was of course drawn to Rabbi Fohrman’s comparison to the teacher with a huge class who remembers and calls each student by name. Every student feels cared for.
Naming each person is important. But, it is not only about the naming of the person. It is about making every person feel noticed. Ever since I was a child I was trained by my parents to say “Hello” to everyone I meet in the street, in stores, in an elevator, or a “Good Shabbos” in the streets on a Shabbos day. It does not matter if you know the person’s name or not. It feels good to feel noticed.
And, at Yavneh, we try to encourage the students and teachers to implement this strategy. Those of us who were at the dinner last night noticed in the video the daily cheerful greeting by Rabbi Knapp and other administrators as students enter the school each morning. Those moments were not staged for the videographer. They truly happen each day.
I recently read an article by Rachel Cannon “Inclusion Starts In The Hallway.” Greeting everyone in the hallway is a daily reminder to people that they matter. She calls it “investing in micro-moments- these small acts of connection, of presence of seeing someone for who they are… Micro-interactions are those brief moments in passing when you take a second to truly acknowledge someone. These interactions may seem small, but they’re doing important work behind the scenes. Our brains are constantly scanning for signs of safety or danger—what neuroscientist Dr. Stephen Porges refers to as “neuroception.” A smile, eye contact, a warm greeting—all of these send a simple yet powerful message: you’re safe here; you belong here.
When someone feels seen and valued, their brain releases oxytocin, a hormone connected to trust and bonding. That feeling of connection opens people up—to learning, to relationships, to fully engaging in a community. But when someone is ignored, excluded, or overlooked—even unintentionally—it activates the same part of the brain that processes physical pain. It hurts.” It is in those “in-between” moments that we create connection.
In a study by Dr. Gillian Sandstrom she noted that people who had more conversations with “weak ties” (casual “hellos” with people they don’t know in the street, for example) were happier than those who had less of those interactions. And, on the days they had more of those interactions they were happier than on the days they had less of those. She did another study where some of the subjects were asked to chat with the barista (whom they did not know) at a coffee shop while waiting for coffee, and some were told not to interact. Those who did interact reported being in a better mood and had a greater sense of belonging. So, not only does the person who is greeted feel happier, but the “greeter” does as well. She quotes another research study that people who greeted others on public transportation felt happier about their ride. So, making everyone feel noticed is good for the noticer and for the noticed!
Kelly Owens, in her article, “Kids Learn More When We Invite Them In” tells a story that she used to greet all the children in the hallway in her school- most of whom she did not know by name. After two years of doing so, one day a student she did not know stopped by her classroom to say she was moving and switching schools and handed her a note. The note said, “Thank you for the comments you gave to me each day.”
And, so as parents, let us model for and teach our children to say “Good Shabbos” in the streets to even those we do not know, and “Hello” to the custodian, and “Have a good day” to the receptionist at the doctor’s office. And, as Hashem modelled for us, we, at Yavneh Academy, will continue greeting our students, by name, showing them how much we care for them.
(I am going to add a piece here, which I know that Mrs. Rubin, in her humility, will not want me to discuss at length. But, those of us who were at the dinner last night, and have been privileged to work with Mrs. Rubin for the past 19 years, know that Mrs. Rubin is truly an expert in making every child feel noticed. She treats each child with the respect due to an adult, hears them, and listens to them, making each one feel important. Our students have been so blessed to have Mrs. Rubin as their number one cheerleader who connects with and notices each student on a daily basis).
Advisory Update:
Sixth Grade: Students had their mock bar/bat mitzvah event where they were able to implement what they learned about bar/bat mitzvah etiquette in Advisory. They began discussing what behaviors in class are beneficial for them.
Seventh Grade: Students began a new unit “When Life Gives You Lemons- Coping With Adversity In Life” and heard a presentation by Rabbi Yitzy Haber who discussed the coping strategies he utilized when facing illness as a middle school student.
Eighth Grade: Students began discussing their changing (positive!) relationship with parents in this stage of life.
