Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh: A commentary on the times and our Torah portion of Shemot

Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh. I Will Be That Which I Shall Become.

As Moses journeys in the wilderness, shepherding the sheep at his charge, he notices a bush that was on fire. Rather than run from it in fear, Moses draws near enough to realize that its flames continued to burn without consuming the plant. The voice of God calls out to Moses from this bush, revealing to the future leader of the Israelites a Name for the Divine Presence.

Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh, I Will Be That Which I Shall Become.

As Moses listens, he learns of his own destiny as the leader of the Israelite revolution that will overthrow the Pharaoh of Egypt and free the Hebrew slaves. During a time of fears and inequality, Moses is to become an instrument of freedom and justice. He will learn to stand up and become the voice for others, even as he fears that his own imperfections will get in his way.

Moses learns that he, too, will be that which he can become. Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh.

This name of God reveals an uncertain certainty for the future. We cannot always predict the future or know exactly the role we will play in the long story of our people. But throughout our texts, God has emerged to help inspire prophets and individuals to get up, to stand up, to speak up for those who are most vulnerable during times of great changes. God has encouraged each of us to embrace this name,

Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh, I Will Be That Which I Shall Become.

When God is not revealing God's self as that source of hope, there is an expectation that we can become the mouthpiece for God - being unafraid to show the world what it can become, not resigning ourselves to accept the way things are. Like Moses and the prophets before us, may we embrace the spirit of God's name, striving to be more than the voices of intolerance, anger and selfishness that surround us. May we spread a message of hope and a vision for justice in word and in deed. May we strive together to build a future that we can look upon with pride, as Jews, as Americans, as Children of God.

N'hiyeh-Asher-N'hiyeh. May We Be All That We Can Become.