Miller's Musings Parshas Bo: Transformation of a Nation

בס''ד

                         

There are many examples in Torah literature of those individuals that have entered the gates of repentance and have undergone a complete transformation from the sinful to the pious.  There are few however that can compare to the total metamorphosis that the Jewish people underwent during the exodus.  From a nation steeped in idolatry and impurity, to one that is praised for their unwavering faith in Hashem during their sojourn in the desert.  The manner in which they changed is easy to see, but the mechanism for such a change needs understanding as to what could have brought about such a complete spiritual revolution.

In essence, explains the Manchester Rosh Hayeshiva zt’l, deep within the soul of every Jew lies a yearning to find its way back to Hashem.  He compares it to a massive underground spring lying dormant that when it finds its way to the surface gushes forth with tremendous force.  But we still need to understand what instigated this spiritual awakening and what the catalyst was for this eruption of the soul.  This, he explains was due to the nature of two mitzvos they were given at this time, Bris Milah and the Korban Pesach (a sacrificial lamb), both in their own way requiring tremendous mesiras nefesh, self-sacrifice.   The first a debilitating procedure when they were on the brink of a perilous journey into the desert and the second a blatant act of defiance towards the Egyptian’s belief in the sheep as a deity.  It was these acts that provided the impetus for such a monumental national transformation. 

For each one of us there are times that we feel lost and uninspired.  The actions we truly want to be performing can seem so difficult and unattractive.  In truth this is a tool of the Yetzer Horah to distance us from the life we are meant to be living by convincing us of a false vision of Hashem’s desired goals for us.  But when we feel only aversion to the right choices, we would do well to remember that no matter how far away it seems, the reunion with our true selves is only moments away.  The key is to make that first move despite the pain it might seem to entail.  This self-sacrifice, when the challenge seems too much, is the very act that will waken us from our false perceptions and show us the beauty and joy of a Torah existence.  It is difficult to take that initial step, but once we do we will see how foolish we once were to doubt the fulfilment and authentic pleasure a life of Torah inherently brings. 

*May Shabbos awaken our slumbering souls*

לעילוי נשמת לאה בת אברהם

לרפואה שלימה:  שרה יעל בת ברכה אסתר