Parshas Shemos opens with a difficult time for Klal Yisrael. After Yosef and his generation passed away, the Jewish people multiplied in Egypt, but a new Pharaoh arose who did not know Yosef. He enslaved the Jewish people, imposing harsh labor and suffering:

וַיִּשְׂרְצוּ בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיִּרְבּוּ וַיִּשְׁרְצוּ וַיַּרְבּוּ מְאֹד מְאֹד; וַתִּמָּלֵא הָאָרֶץ אֹתָם
(שמות א:ז)athy T

וַיָּרָע הַפַּרְעֹה לִפְנֵיהֶם, וַיְעַנֵּם אֶת-בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל
(שמות א:יד)

It is in this context of pain and oppression that Hashem chooses Moshe Rabbeinu to lead His people. Later, while Moshe is in Midian tending Yisro’s sheep, Hashem appears to him in the burning bush:

וַיֵּרָא מַלְאַךְ ה’ אֵלָיו בְּלַבַּת אֵשׁ מִתּוֹךְ הַסְּנֶה, וַיַּרְא וְהִנֵּה הַסְּנֶה בֹּעֵר בָּאֵשׁ וְהַסְּנֶה אֵינֶנּוּ אֻכָּל
(שמות ג:ב)........

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