Shemot and the Scapegoating of Immigrants

Photo by Nitish Meena on Unsplash

In the opening chapters of Shemot (Exodus), we encounter a story that feels very familiar: a new ruler comes to power driven by fear and targets a vulnerable population, implementing harsh policies to control and oppress them. Pharaoh, noticing the growing numbers of the Israelites, labels them a threat. His fear becomes justification for a regime of cruelty—forced labor, systemic oppression, and even the horrifying command to kill Hebrew baby boys.

Pharaoh’s actions are a blueprint for how fear and xenophobia can lead to the demonization and punishment of immigrants and the marginalized. This fear isn’t rooted in actual harm caused by the Israelites; they’ve done nothing wrong. Instead, it’s a fear of their potential, their growth, and their difference. It’s the fear of "otherness" that transforms neighbors into enemies and policies into tools of oppression.

Yet, amidst this darkness, the Torah also gives us examples of moral courage. The midwives Shifrah and Puah refuse to comply with Pharaoh’s orders to kill the male babies. These women embody the highest form of resistance: they act out of empathy and compassion, recognizing the humanity of those Pharaoh seeks to dehumanize. Their defiance reminds us that even small acts of courage can disrupt systems of cruelty.

As the story unfolds, we meet Moses, a man caught between two identities. Born an Israelite but raised in Pharaoh’s palace, Moses grows up in privilege, shielded from the suffering of his people. Yet when he steps out and sees their oppression firsthand, something shifts. He doesn’t simply observe their pain; he acts on it. Moses' journey challenges us to step beyond our own comfort zones and align ourselves with the struggles of the vulnerable.

The parallels to today are striking. In the United States, we see leaders and policies that scapegoat immigrants and marginalized communities, often fueled by fear rather than facts. The language may change, but the script remains the same: targeting those who are different, building walls—literal and metaphorical—to divide and control.

The Torah calls us to a higher standard. It asks us to remember that we, too, were strangers in a strange land and that we are to honor the dignity of every person. The Torah reminds us that fear of the "other" is never an excuse for cruelty. And it shows us that empathy—like that of Shifrah, Puah, and Moses—has the power to disrupt oppression and spark liberation.

As you reflect on this portion, ask yourself:

• Do you let fear shape the way you view others?

• What small acts of courage can you take to stand with those who are targeted and vulnerable?

• How can we, like Moses, step out of our comfort zones to see the struggles of others and act in solidarity?

The story of Shemot is one of hope amidst oppression, courage, and liberation. May it inspire us to see the humanity in every person and to act with compassion, even when it’s hard. After all, justice begins when we choose to stand with the vulnerable and refuse to let fear guide our actions.

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