Ohev Shalom Voice
Nissan - April, 5768
Rabbi Weberman’s Message
Hashem took us out of Egypt with a strong hand (Deut. 6:21)
With an outstretched arm (Exodus 6:6)
In answer to the child’s four questions at the Seder, the father’s response is that we were slaves in Egypt and the Lo-d took us out with a strong hand and with an outstretched hand. What do these two expressions mean and how does it explain the relevance of the Exodus to us in every generation and in all circumstances?
The Strong Hand: Change is difficult. Even when one’s circumstances are painful, inertia suppresses a person to resist coming out of his status. Even after the Exodus, Moshe Rabenu received repeated complaints indicating they would have preferred to be back in Egypt. (Exodus 14:12-16:3-17:3; Numbers 11:5-14:2-16:13). A powerful force is needed to drive people to a change in status even if it would be in their best interest.
An Outstretched Arm: Emerging from slavery is only meaningful, consistent and in a people’s best interest when that freedom is accompanied by responsibility. While being slaves, people had no possessions, no families, no sense of decision-making and no personal pride. Just to emerge from under the yoke of their oppressors without being given a sense of direction to live the life of freemen is a meager accomplishment for a people.
In the third month from the exodus of the Children of Israel from Egypt, on this day, they arrived at Sinai. (Exodus 19:1) With no undue delay, our people stood ready to experience the Revelation of Sinai. When they were asked by Moshe Rabenu of their willingness to accept the Commandments, they responded: Everything that Hashem has spoken, we will do. (Exodus 19:8). The Torah is the Outstretched Arm giving instruction how to live a life of freedom and responsibility; a life of fulfillment and pride; a guide to eternal life.
Each year as we celebrate Pesach - the Season of our Freedom, we again experience the Strong Hand and the Outstretched Arm. To whatever extent we may have been subjected to greed, lust and vanity, we are granted freedom from that enslavement as we feel the force of the sanctity of the Festival of Freedom and we emerge from under those undesirable instincts. We go on to a renewed commitment to follow the Outstretched Arm - the direction given us by the Holy Torah to go:
From deep darkness to great light,
From enslavement to redemption
מאפלה לאור גדול משעבוד לגאולה
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