Shemoth: Identity

Shemoth: Identity

In mathematics identity means: "the exact same as" But nothing can be the same as something else.  Two things generally cannot occupy the same space at the same time,  Even a thing itself changes between its  time of  observation and  the description.  There is some slack in mathematical identity;  it is not really exactly the same.  It is more a matter of no deviation from the definition.   The definition places the object in a set and distinguishes it from all other members of the set. The identity is in  the name. 

When we talk about a person's identity, we mean a concept that a person grows into.  Part of that is belonging to a group and part of it is distinguishing that person from all other members of the group. 

The crucial identity in this week's parsha (on identity) is Gd, the revelation at the (quai)burning bush. The salvation is announced and Moshe needs to identify the savior. The first statement is, "I will be what I will be."  Does this mean that everything is by this entity's will? Or does it mean that the entity is unpredictable? Perhaps the key point is that the entity has existence and can be a source of consequences.

When Pharaoh says that he never heard of this Gd (not a member of the set of gods as Pharaoh understands the term), it allows him to act without fear of the consequences.  It allows him to make the work more burdensome and to have the kapos beaten.  But this entity is not like the familiar deities, all things are part of Gd's realm.

When Moshe appeals to Gd at the end of the parsha, saying that the revelation has only made matters worse, Gd tells him to watch as things unfold.  The world is unpredictable to our limited understanding.

Gd is our source of hope.  Hope is a wisp, its identity is insubstantial.