The story of the Exodus, yetzi'at mitzrayim – exiting the narrow place, is a story full of questions of agency and free will. There are questions around Pharaoh's heart hardening, questions about waiting for vs. causing liberation, questions about what it takes for a people or even a person to put their full weight toward freedom.
Many moments in what we might tell as part of the maggid (the telling the story) section of the Passover seder could relate to these topics and more. No part comes quite as stark for me then just before the sea splits. These lines are traditionally recited on the seventh day of Passover – the day the sea is said to have split. The people call out to Moses, complaining that he had just led them out only to be stuck now between an army and a sea. A potentially lethal impasse.
And just as Moses stands firm in his belief that G-d will save them, G-d reminds Moses that it's actually up to him. The protective cloud moves to behind the Israelites and Moses raises his staff to act toward liberation.
As we resist Pharaohs in our own time, may we find those who are willing to have our backs while also raising our staff, so to speak, – taking action that frees ourselves and our people: all people.
Shabbat shalom and chag pesach kasher v'same'ach!
R’ David
Many moments in what we might tell as part of the maggid (the telling the story) section of the Passover seder could relate to these topics and more. No part comes quite as stark for me then just before the sea splits. These lines are traditionally recited on the seventh day of Passover – the day the sea is said to have split. The people call out to Moses, complaining that he had just led them out only to be stuck now between an army and a sea. A potentially lethal impasse.
And just as Moses stands firm in his belief that G-d will save them, G-d reminds Moses that it's actually up to him. The protective cloud moves to behind the Israelites and Moses raises his staff to act toward liberation.
As we resist Pharaohs in our own time, may we find those who are willing to have our backs while also raising our staff, so to speak, – taking action that frees ourselves and our people: all people.
Shabbat shalom and chag pesach kasher v'same'ach!
R’ David
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