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These are the names of the children of Israel
who came to Egypt, Jacob and his sons. Jacob’s
firstborn was Reuben. 

Genesis 46:8

We are taught that the oppression of our people in Egypt could not begin as long as any of Jacob’s family who originally emigrated to Egypt remained alive. This is alluded to by the fact that, as it begins the account of Jacob’s family stay in Egypt, the Torah reviews the names of the family members – even though it has already told us their names previously.

Mentioning their names again highlights how G-d cherished each one of them, just as someone who possesses a prized collection of something frequently inspects it, attentively examining each item separately.

Moreover, a person’s name is their connection to their inner essence. We see that when we call a person by their name, their whole self is summoned to attention, and can even be revived from a fainting spell. Thus, by reviewing their names in this context, G-d was connecting Jacob’s family to their inner, Divine essence, which can never be subject to “exile,” that is, be constrained by any force or representative of nature.

Today, as well, by cultivating a conscious connection to our Divine essence, we can remain free and independent of any servitude to the forces of nature, and realize our Divine potential to its fullest.

-- Daily Wisdom Volume 3