If the first parts of the Torah tells the stories of the Matriarchs and Patriarchs who helped shape the beginnings of the Jewish people, the second book which we begin reading tomorrow tells us how those same principles that would ultimately become the bedrock of Judaism, started influencing life and society in many real and tangible ways.
The story of the exile as we all know it, is not simply a story that happened thousands of years ago, but indeed it is the dynamic that has repeatedly unfolded through the course of history. The reactions, the resistance, the suffering, and the bravery to find a way to hold on to faith, hope and a better future, are parts of the Biblical story, that have continued to be true, throughout our long history.
The bravery of the Jewish midwives who refused the orders to kill babies as they were born since they were answerable to a higher calling, set the tone and the attitude of so many others who in their own way, resisted evil and its attempt to overwhelm us or take over our morals.
Moses first exit from the Palace, ends with him risking his own life as he saves the life of an innocent Jewish slave who no doubt was minutes away from being killed.
Batya, the daughter of Pharaoh is a hero in her own right, as she was raised in a palace that taught that murder of Jews is the call of the day, yet she was the one who saves little Moses, despite knowing that he was a Jew.
These snippets are but a small window into the power of the human spirit which we discover as we study this story and the lessons that it contains.
The messages of the stories are meaningful, because they open a window into our own struggles, be it personal challenges, or communal or societal challenges.
The Jews may have suffered tremendously through this experience, but the growth and resilience that they demonstrated despite the pain and affliction, paved the way for a new path forward, that led through Sinai and on to the Promised Land.
The story of the exile in Egypt, highlights the innate strength we have been endowed with, to be able to overcome any challenge, and find a way to defy evil and negativity, break of out our metaphoric chains and obstacles, and be able to continue growing and reaching a better place.
Please join us tomorrow for the services and the Kiddush (10am Service, 11am Torah Reading, 12:15pm Kiddush), as we delve more into this story and the life lessons we can learn from this.
Good Shabbos & Shabbat Shalom
Yisroel