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Hebrew Text
וְזָכַרְתָּ כִּי־עֶבֶד הָיִיתָ בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם וַיֹּצִאֲךָ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ מִשָּׁם בְּיָד חֲזָקָה וּבִזְרֹעַ נְטוּיָה עַל־כֵּן צִוְּךָ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ לַעֲשׂוֹת אֶת־יוֹם הַשַׁבָּת׃
English Translation
And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Miżrayim, and that the Lord thy God brought thee out from there with a mighty hand and a stretched out arm: therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.
Transliteration
Vezakharta ki-eved hayita be'eretz mitzrayim vayotzi'akha Adonai Eloheikha misham beyad chazaka uvizroa netuya al-ken tzivkha Adonai Eloheikha la'asot et-yom hashabbat.
Hebrew Leining Text
וְזָכַרְתָּ֗֞ כִּ֣י־עֶ֤֥בֶד הָיִ֣֙יתָ֙ ׀ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔֗יִם וַיֹּצִ֨אֲךָ֜֩ יְהֹוָ֤֨ה אֱלֹהֶ֤֙יךָ֙ מִשָּׁ֔ם֙ בְּיָ֥֤ד חֲזָקָ֖ה֙ וּבִזְרֹ֣עַ נְטוּיָ֑֔ה עַל־כֵּ֗ן צִוְּךָ֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת אֶת־י֥וֹם הַשַּׁבָּֽת׃ {ס}
Parasha Commentary
📚 Talmud Citations
This verse is quoted in the Talmud.
📖 Berakhot 20b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the importance of remembering the Exodus from Egypt, particularly in the context of the Sabbath commandment.
📖 Sanhedrin 56b
The verse is cited in a discussion about the Noahide laws and whether Gentiles are also commanded to observe the Sabbath.
📖 Megillah 31a
The verse is mentioned in the context of the Torah reading for festivals, emphasizing the connection between the Exodus and Sabbath observance.
Connection Between Yetziat Mitzrayim and Shabbat
The verse links the Exodus from Egypt (Yetziat Mitzrayim) with the commandment to observe Shabbat. Rashi (Devarim 5:15) explains that this serves as a reminder that just as Hashem liberated us from slavery, He also commanded us to rest on Shabbat—emphasizing that our freedom includes the ability to sanctify time. The Rambam (Hilchot Shabbat 2:1) further notes that Shabbat is a testament to Ma'aseh Bereishit (Creation) and Yetziat Mitzrayim, as both demonstrate Hashem's mastery over the world.
The "Mighty Hand and Outstretched Arm"
The phrase "בְּיָד חֲזָקָה וּבִזְרֹעַ נְטוּיָה" ("with a mighty hand and outstretched arm") is interpreted in Mechilta (Bo 6) as referring to the Ten Plagues, through which Hashem displayed His power. The Sforno adds that this language underscores the miraculous nature of our redemption, which obligates us to acknowledge Hashem's sovereignty—a recognition embodied in Shabbat observance.
Shabbat as a Covenant of Freedom
The Talmud (Berachot 20b) teaches that Shabbat is a "matanah tovah" (a precious gift) from Hashem, symbolizing our transition from servitude to Pharaoh to avodat Hashem. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 25:12) compares Shabbat to a freed slave receiving their manumission papers, as it is a weekly affirmation of our spiritual liberation. This aligns with the verse’s implication that Shabbat commemorates our redemption.
Practical Implications