Parshas Shemos
A Series of Ups and Downs
The second book of the Torah, Shemot begins with the Jewish people at a
high level of accomplishment and integration within Egyptian society. But
from this lofty perch of security and success in Egyptian society they are
soon toppled. The situation changes dramatically for them and they go from
being accepted and even respected to the position of abject and cruel
slavery. And this slavery situation is not temporary, for it will last for
centuries. Eventually the Jewish people, though not certainly all of the
Jews, or even a majority of them, are freed from Egyptian bondage by
Divine intervention and are forged into a “kingdom of priests and a holy
nation.”
This wild roller coaster ride from dizzying heights to terrible lows and
then the climb up again, is a startling example of God’s plan, so to
speak, for Israel throughout all of its ages and climes. The Jewish world
is seldom on an even keel. It has always been a series of ups and downs
for us, many times even in one lifetime and generation. The past century
is undoubtedly an excellent example of this pattern in Jewish history.
Fortunate is the person who lives in the up times. But even that person
has no guarantee that those good times are permanent and long lasting. The
only thing certain in Jewish life is uncertainty. And even though we would
wish for greater stability in these matters, we have to accept this Divine
mandate of change and uncertainty.
Moshe’s appearance in the parsha is another example of this roller
coaster, up and down situation of Jewish life. Moshe begins life as an
infant thrown into the crocodile infested waters of the Nile River. He
then is miraculously delivered from that fate of certain death and is
raised as a prince in the house of the Pharaoh no less. He forfeits his
high position out of loyalty and compassion to his Jewish brothers. A
hunted man, he escapes Egypt and comes to Midian, there to marry and
become a shepherd tending the flocks of his father-in-law.
Apparently there is no natural way that he can see to reclaim his role as
a prince and leader. But at the incident of the burning bush the Lord
plucks him away from his sheep flocks and sends him on his giant mission
to redeem and educate the Jewish people, and through them of all of
humankind.
Moshe rises to the highest level of human leadership and of spiritual
attainment. He becomes the measuring rod – the symbol represented by his
staff – of all future Jewish leadership and spirituality. But Moshe, like
Israel itself, first had to be plunged into the depths of persecution and
poverty before being raised to greatness. Why the Lord does things this
way is naturally an unanswerable question. Suffice it for us to realize
that this is our historical pattern, both in our national and personal
lives. Let us hope that we will yet witness the ultimate high and full
redemption of Israel and the vindication of Moshe’s great vision.
Shabat shalom.
Rabbi Berel Wein
Rabbi Berel Wein- Jewish historian, author and international lecturer offers a complete selection of CDs, audio tapes, video tapes, DVDs, and books on Jewish history at www.rabbiwein.com
Text Copyright © 2007 by Rabbi Berel Wein and Torah.org
Visit www.rabbiwein.com for a complete selection of Rabbi Wein's books and tapes.
