Time to go. Tenth plague. Slavery is finally over. Or is it?
Is it truly possible to shed 200+ years of suffering at a midnight moment's notice? Can we just shift into a mindset of freedom? Transition from the Hebrews, slaves of Pharaoh, to the Jewish Nation, chosen to receive the Torah?
Truth be told, it was not so simple. In fact, leaving Egypt was just the beginning. It was followed by 49 days of prep, each day a step away from the past, and into the future. Ascending out of the depths and up to spiritual and mental heights, ultimately reaching the summit: Mount Sinai.
Most notable during this period of time was the splitting of the Red Sea. Regretting his decision to set them free, Pharaoh and his army, in the ultimate 'just kidding' scenario, gave chase. Trapped at the crossroads of "Drowning" and "More Slavery", what were they to do? What would you do?
But this is what it's all about. On the Seder night, the Jews were freed, but it was G-d's decision, it was His Outstretched Arm that had brought Ten Plagues against Egypt. Now at the Sea, it was up to the Jews. Would they revert to servitude and fear, or would they take their own first step of Faith, into the water, and across to Freedom.
It was at this moment that they truly began the journey from Emancipation to Freedom.
Join us on Shabbat, 6pm for Yizkor, as we remember our dearly departed loved ones, and at 7pm as we explore and experience Freedom today - with a Feast of Moshiach, saying farewell to Passover, internalize its eternal messages, and look to an ever brighter future, a time of kindness, wellness, and peace.
ב"ה