Monday 1 Shevet 5783 (23.01.23)
Connect Yourself to Life?
לֹֽא־רָא֞וּ אִ֣ישׁ אֶת־אָחִ֗יו וְלֹא־קָ֛מוּ אִ֥ישׁ מִתַּחְתָּ֖יו שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת יָמִ֑ים וּֽלְכׇל־בְּנֵ֧י יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל הָ֥יָה א֖וֹר בְּמוֹשְׁבֹתָֽם׃
“No Egyptian man could see his brother, but the darkness did not obstruct the Israelites’ vision. During these first three days,the Israelites who did not want to leave Egypt—four-fifths of the population—died.This happened specifically when the Egyptians could not see it so they should not be able to think that these Jews were dying of the same cause that the Egyptians died of during the plagues. For the next three days, the darkness became so palpable that no Egyptian who was sitting when it started could rise from his place, and no Egyptian who was standing when it started could sit down. The Israelites, however, canvassed the Egyptians’ dwellings freely during these three days,taking note of the Egyptians’ possessions and where they kept them. Furthermore, during these six days, there was light for all the Israelites in their dwellings; the darkness did not cover the district of Goshen.”
Hashem did not force those Jews that did not want to leave to do so. By choosing to remain in Egypt, these individuals denied the purpose of their existence; their lives lost their meaning and had to be ended. This process purified the Jewish people, much as wine becomes purified as the dregs and other impurities settle over time.
In contrast, in the future redemption from the present and final exile, even those Jews who do not consciously want to be redeemed will be taken out of exile
In Egypt, there was – so to speak – a natural bond between Hashem and His People, like the bond between a Father and a child. And a child – especially at puberty – has the choice and ability to go against the Father’s will.
After the Torah was given by Hashem at Sinai and the people accepted it, this parent-child connection deepened. It rooted the people in His essence. As a result, the people became completely one with HaShem, through which alone redemption and life is possible.
Just as HaShem did not force the people to leave Egypt, He did not force Noahides to leave their Egypt.
The Noahides who choose to stay in Egypt may very well be good and sincere people. They may out of their own logic choose to observe (most of) Noahide Laws. However they do not voluntarily choose to commit to HaShem, they do not choose to recognise Him as King Almighty and Hashem will not force them. He will reward them for their good deeds, but they have not committed themselves to eternal life.
In contrast, Noahides who voluntarily choose to carefully observe the 7 Noahide Laws and their details because HaShem gave them to Moses at Sinai in recognition that Noahides were already obliged to live them before, commit themselves to the Torah which is the tree of life, commit themselves to HaShem who is the source of life. These Noahides will receive their due share in the Coming World.
He who voluntarily binds himself to Life will be connected to Life in all eternity.
Geschreven door Angelique Sijbolts
Sources: Kehot Chumash Parshah Bo
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