This source sheet was created for Jewish Studio Project's Clergy Studio, a 10-month fellowship designed to support spiritual leaders in cultivating their creative leadership skills and practices. Learn more about Jewish Studio Project at jewishstudioproject.org
To understand more about how JSP uses this source sheet, see The Jewish Studio Project's Approach to Text Study.
(יג) וַיֹּ֨אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֜ה אֶל־הָֽאֱלֹהִ֗ים הִנֵּ֨ה אָנֹכִ֣י בָא֮ אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ וְאָמַרְתִּ֣י לָהֶ֔ם אֱלֹהֵ֥י אֲבוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם שְׁלָחַ֣נִי אֲלֵיכֶ֑ם וְאָֽמְרוּ־לִ֣י מַה־שְּׁמ֔וֹ מָ֥ה אֹמַ֖ר אֲלֵהֶֽם׃ (יד) וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה אֶֽהְיֶ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֶֽהְיֶ֑ה וַיֹּ֗אמֶר כֹּ֤ה תֹאמַר֙ לִבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֶֽהְיֶ֖ה שְׁלָחַ֥נִי אֲלֵיכֶֽם׃
(13) Moses said to God, “When I come to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers’ [house] has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is [God’s] name?’ what shall I say to them?” (14) And God said to Moses, “Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh (I Will Be What I Will Be)” continuing, “Thus shall you say to the Israelites, ‘Ehyeh (I will be) sent me to you.’”
Questions:
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What does this text evoke for you as you read it today?
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How does G-d self-identify here? How do you understand this name?
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Given that this moment is one of the key events that leads eventually to revelation, what might be the significance of G-d’s name here?
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How might this name relate to the creative process? What connections might we draw between the creative process, liberation, and revelation via this name?
(א) ויאמר אהי' וגו'. פי' הודיעו מדה שבה מדבר עמו, ושם זה יתייחם למדת הרחמים ואשר היא בחינת המוציא מעבדות לחרות
(1) ויאמר…אהיה אשר אהיה, G'd said: Ehyeh asher Ehyeh. G'd revealed the attribute He was using while speaking with Moses. This attribute is closely related to the attribute of rachamim (Mercy), an attribute employed in leading someone from slavery to freedom.
Questions:
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How does this commentary add to your understanding of this verse?
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What do you imagine is the relationship between this name of G-d and rachamim?
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In what ways has embodying rachamim helped or hindered your feeling of connection to G-d in your life?
Mordechai Kaplan, Meaning of God
"…creativity, or the continuous emergence of aspects of life not prepared for or determined by the past, constitutes the most divine phase of reality. For God is the Creator, that what which seems impossible today [God] may bring to birth tomorrow."
Questions:
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What connections can you draw between our relationship with God and creativity?
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How does this text open up the biblical verses above in new ways?