This is the time of year when we teach the story of the Exodus from Egypt to a number of different audiences—children, Jewish adults, non-Jewish adults, teens—in other words, many different ages and backgrounds. Because of its universal theme of the transformation from slavery to freedom, this particular story resonates in some way with almost everyone.
And true to Halpern’s Rule #3—that when everyone agrees about something, they are probably wrong—there is a vital aspect of the Exodus Story that everyone seems to get wrong, including Cecil B. DeMille (who some would have you believe actually was at the Exodus).
The tenth of the plagues, the killing of the first born, has just occurred, and a grief-stricken Pharaoh demands that the Israelites leave Egypt immediately. Israel quickly prepares to leave (hence, the Matzah) before Pharaoh can change his mind—again. Very quickly Pharaoh realizes what he has just done and sends his army to bring Israel back or maybe just to kill them (we are not totally sure which).
Israel is trapped between the Yam Suf (The Sea of Reeds) on the one side and the advancing Egyptian forces on the other. The people, as they have done in the past and will continue to do now, turn on Moses: “Thank you Moses for getting us killed!” Moses tells the people that they are now going to witness something that has never, ever happened before. He raises his staff and . . .
This is where everyone gets it wrong.
God does NOT part the Yam Sufv—yet.
God responds to the people, “Why are you calling on me? I’m not your Mother. Do it yourself—go forward!”
And it is only when Nachshon actually wades into the water that the sea parts.
We cannot expect God to do things for us if we are not willing to be partners with the Divine. God did not actually take us out of Egypt; God set the stage so that we could enable our own departure. And Israel had to leave behind the wealth and security of one of the world’s safest places at that time to wander into the wilderness. Similarly, Moses had to be willing to confront the most powerful ruler in the world and demand freedom for his people. And, of course, Nachshon had to wade into the water.
Passover is not only the story of the transformation from slavery to freedom, it also is a story of a people and individuals whose own acts of bravery transformed their lives and the lives of their nation.
Perhaps that is Passover’s most important lesson.
Chag Sameach.
B’Shalom
Rabbi Stanley Halpern