The Exodus and revolution today

ESTHER TAUBY

Throughout history, there have been many revolutions that began with visions of liberty. These were followed by deep disappointment and worse oppression following the revolution.

For example, the French Revolution began with the call for “liberty, equality and fraternity” and ended up escalating into the Napoleonic wars across Europe. The Russian Revolution in 1917 also began with much hope for freedom from the autocratic rule of the Romanov kings. The Soviet people’s hope was crushed under the oppression of the secret police and the slave camps of the Gulag.

In Russia in 1990, there was adifferent kind of revolution – a spiritual one. For 70 years, the communist dictatorship spread fear throughout the world. They did all they could to suppress all forms of spirituality. Then they were thrown out. The new government stood for freedom and supported religion and, even though the current regime has its problems, millions of people in the former Soviet Union can freely learn about their religions, and live religious, spiritual lives, if they choose.

Now, we are witnessing similar revolutions in the Middle East, where historic events are unfolding before our eyes. First Tunisia, then Egypt, Libya and Yemen. Who knows where will be next? This is a revolution for freedom from tyranny that is sweeping across the region. Cruel dictatorships are tumbling down. Egypt’s longstanding dictator was ousted by his own people. The question is who will be the new leader? Will the new one be better than the old one? What will be his position on democracy, which is what so many gave their lives for during the protests?

In Libya, we are seeing the fall of a murderer and madman who has kept his people under his thumb for far too long. Again, we worry what will happen when he is gone, which is only a matter of time. Then there are the surrounding nations, who watch and wait, eager to start their own revolutions and begin anew. Different institutions of government will need to be created. Will they be fair, democratic bodies?

Of course, Israel, our main concern, is surrounded by all this turmoil, and is waiting, watching and hoping from the sidelines. Political scientists, intelligence officers, historians and others will no doubt be studying the events of recent months and making predictions. What about the rest of us? Where can we turn?

As a Jew, I feel it is imperative to look at everything that happens in life through a Jewish lens. This means searching our Jewish history to see what we can learn from previous generations to help us understand the events of today. The Torah is the authoritative text on our Jewish history, so let’s look into the Torah, back to one of the events leading up to our becoming a nation.

In the first section of the Book of Exodus, we read about how G-d told Moses at the burning bush that he needed him for a very important job – to save the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. “Right now, the cry of the Israelites is coming to Me. I also see the pressure to which Egypt is subjecting them. Now go. I am sending you to Pharaoh. Bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.” (Exodus 3:9-10) Then, a bit later, G-d reassures the reluctant Moses that he will get all the people out of Egypt and all of them (including Moses) will then become “G-d’s servants on this mountain.” (3:12)

We see how Moses did go to Pharaoh, demand that he release the Hebrew slaves so that they could worship their G-d freely but, time after time, Pharaoh refused. Egypt was smitten with increasingly harsh plagues until finally, after Pharaoh’s own firstborn son was killed during the 10th plague, he relented and gave permission for the slaves to leave.

After the first plague, blood, G-d tells Moses to go to Pharaoh and say in His name, “Let My people go so they can serve Me. If you refuse, I will strike all your land with frogs.” (Exodus: 7: 26-27) There were two parts to the command. First, “let my people go” and, second, “so that they may serve me.” Why did G-d need both parts of the verse? Our commentaries explain that merely letting the people go, out of Egyptian slavery, would not have accomplished much on its own. Where would they have gone? Who would have hired them? After all, they had been slaves for so many years and didn’t know any other way of life. So G-d offers them the second part of the verse, “so that they can serve me.” That is the purpose of the freedom from slavery. To leave that slave mentality, heal from the trauma and abuse and then be embraced by G-d’s kindness and compassion to become a holy nation. The people would have a purpose.

Indeed, we are taught by our sages that the burning bush incident took place on the very spot where the Torah would be given exactly 50 days later, Mount Sinai. The greatest gift we ever received, our instructional manual on how to live as G-d wants us to – this is what gave us hope for the future. Someone cared about us, took us seriously, trusted us and wanted us to succeed. Powerful messages for anyone, let alone newly released slaves!

The Torah was then and still is today the one thing that all Jews own and share equally. This revolutionary document would also transform and empower all humanity for future generations.

The Torah describes the Exodus from Egypt in great detail. It is a mitzvah to remember the Exodus every day of our lives and, in fact, we mention it in our daily prayers throughout the year. On Passover, however, it is the focus. The eight-day festival, known in Hebrew as Zman Chairutainu, the Season of our Redemption, beginning with its two sederim in the Diaspora, gives us the opportunity to tell and relive the Exodus from Egypt, because this is how it all started for us as the Jewish people. It was the beginning of our nation.

The seder is a blueprint for freedom and not only enables us the opportunity to retell the story of our nation’s history in comfort surrounded by family, friends and guests, but it is also a way for us to experience exodus and freedom ourselves. How can we accomplish this?

One of the objectives of the seder is to connect us to our inner child. This is why there is so much emphasis on children during the seder. Just as the innocence of a young child hasn’t been tarnished by the emotional entanglements of adult life, so too, each of us has an inner child that has not been negatively affected by this physical world. The 15 steps of the seder help us reconnect to this innocence, found at the core of every person. A critical component of child development is asking questions and only a free person is allowed and encouraged to ask questions. At the seder, we are all like children, free to ask questions and then receive answers.

When we eat matzah during the festival of Pesach, which is called “bread of faith,” we are helping ourselves digest the faith that our ancestors had upon leaving Egypt to follow G-d into the desert and an unknown future. This year, especially, we need all the faith we can get, as we see the world around us looking very frightening, whether in the Middle East, Japan or anywhere else.

Only G-d knows what His master plan is for the world and we hope and pray that these recent events will only lead to peace and justice for all people around the world with no more wars, suffering, disasters or pain. This is why we must pray for the immediate redemption when all the above will disappear forever. Praying is wonderful, but there is so much more we can do.

Learning Torah, whether at home, at a synagogue or Chabad House, online, in the office, gym or car, is just one way of many to connect to G-d. After all, He’s the author! Learning about Passover is a great way to feel connected to the festival and prepare for the sederim. If you have children, it’s a great way to get them involved, too. Praying at home or at synagogue even for a few minutes a day has a very calming effect. G-d has big shoulders, so we can give Him all our burdens and worries. Performing mitzvot, acts of goodness and kindness, also helps us feel better and connects us to our creator. This, too, brings redemption closer.

May it be G-d’s will that we are able to return to Jerusalem with all our brothers and sisters the world over, and celebrate Passover together in peace and unity at the largest Passover seder in history. This year in Jerusalem! Wishing you a happy and kosher Passover.

Esther Tauby is a local educator, writer and counselor.

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