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Sweet Freedom
This week we begin the 2nd of the 5 books of the Torah. In early sources we find a discussion as to what is an appropriate name for this book. Many call it "sefer sh'mos"- the book of names, however there are those who refer to it as "sefer hageulah"- the book of redemption. The question is raised that the entire story of the Jewish nation's redemption from Egypt is all over by the end of the 4th parsha "Beshalach", the rest of the book (the majority) contains many other episodes, seemingly not related to the exodus from Mitzrayim. Surely a name that makes reference to a wider range of topics contained within would be more fitting.
The commentators offer the following profound answer. The continuation of the "book of redemption" contains the account of the Jewish People receiving the Torah and followed by the narrative describing the building of the Tabernacle- the mini Temple which was designed to provide a place in which each person could focus on the building of their relationship with his Creator. Freedom is not about the transition from servitude to sunning oneself on a Caribbean island, under a palm tree and tropical drink in hand. But rather true liberty means to free oneself from all factors which limit a person from fulfilling their potential. Self determination, inspired by the guiding teachings and practices contained within the Torah is the realizing of real freedom. Without having received the Torah and having built the Tabernacle, the redemption from Egypt would have been no more than a temporary respite until the next difficulty. Therefore the name "Book of Redemption" is indeed a fitting reference to the entire contents of the sefer- a redemption of the Human spirit by giving each person the opportunity to live a life of clarity and fulfillment, and consequently, happiness.
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