In this week's parsha we begin recounting the story of the Jews exiting Egypt, the most powerful and mesmerizing story of our history. Pharaoh rejects the demands of Aharon and Moshe despite witnessing the miracle of the staff changing into a snake followed by the first seven plagues. The text indicates to us that Pharaoh hardened his heart and then eventually has his heart hardened an interesting story in of itself. The story which to me is the most intriguing is described i

בס״ד This week’s Torah portion Shemot “names” is the first of the second book of the Torah. This parshah is especially resonant with the joyous celebration of an addition to my family. My sister in law and brother in New York thank G-d were blessed with a boy last week. As for every Jewish newborn, after eight days from birth he was named. His name is Ezra Yehuda. It struck me what a beautiful name it is and what power names hold and their true ability to reflect one’s identi