Artistic block is the bane of anyone who works in a creative field. The aspiring author. The brilliant artist. The talented musician. They all dream of taking the world by storm. Yet just as they are about to soar, self-doubt creeps in. They begin to wonder: Do I have what it takes? The author’s pen falters; the artist’s brush hesitates; and the singer’s powerful voice fades into an insecure whisper. What does it take to shake all-too-human inhibition and let the inner light brightly shine?
Tractate Brachot 1:5 records a halachic discussion between the Sages of the Mishah, as delivered by Rabbi Elazar on the day he was inaugurated as the head of the Great Assembly of Mishnaic scholars:
There is a mitzvah in the Torah to mention the exodus from Mitzrayim (Egypt) every day, and some argue that this mitzvah can be fulfilled only during the daytime. The Sages therefore determined the exodus from Mitzrayim is mentioned at night. Rabbi Elazar ben Azaria said:
I am approximately seventy years old, and I was never privileged to establish that the exodus from Mitzrayim should be mentioned at night, until Ben Zoma interpreted the Torah obligation homiletically and proved it obligatory. Ben Zoma quoted the verse “That you may remember the day you went out of the land of Mitzrayim all the days of your life” [Devarim 16:3]. “The days of your life” refers to daytime alone; the addition of the word “all,” as it is stated, “All the days of your life,” brings in the nights as well. And the Rabbis explain the word “all” differently and say “The days of your life” refers to the days in this world. “All the days of your life” is added to bring in the days of Moshiach.
Out of Bounds
The exodus from Egypt is a cornerstone of Jewish faith, enshrined in the first of the Ten Commandments: “I am Hashem, your G-d, Who took you out of Egypt.” Why is this the first, essential conversation between G-d and the Jews?
The redemption from Egypt is also recalled in Jewish liturgy every day and night. What is so important about it—particularly since it was not a permanent redemption, but was followed by other exiles?
The Egyptian exodus is an enduring pillar of our Torah because it introduced the idea of redemption to the world, marking the transition from being a subjugated people to a free nation. Emancipated from Egypt, the Jews were finally free to serve G-d without being subservient to others. The impact of this profound transformation endures to this day.
This conceptual idea of Egypt can be seen in its very name—Mitzrayim. An alternate reading of this name translates as bondage and constraints (meitzarim in Hebrew). This broader reading of “breaking free of limitations” is the deeper, timeless level of the Exodus. It represents freedom from the entrapment of human impulses and insecurities to allow for a wholehearted embrace of the deepest, truest values.
The sages of the Mishnah emphasize that redemption is an ongoing process, one that fills the person’s mind by day, when times are favorable, and at night, when times are challenging. This mindfulness persists through every era, extending even into the days of Moshiach. What is the key to integrating the redemption from Egypt into daily life?
Torat Menachem
I heard from my master and father, the Kabbalist Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, also my teacher and rabbi, of blessed memory, an explanation of the precise wording of “lehavi liymot hamoshiach” to bring to the days of Moshiach, used in the above Mishnah, and not the usual “lerabot,” to include, the term customarily used in the Talmud.
The word lehavi signifies that we must bring, usher in, the revelation of “the days of Moshiach” even now, in this world.
Finding Freedom
What does it take to feel truly liberated? A person newly released from prison would have no difficulty describing the heady taste of freedom. But many people, shackled to their nine-to-five job and monotonous routine, may struggle to define what it means to be free.
Eating without counting calories, cholesterol, or sugar may seem liberating, as would traveling anywhere in the world on a whim, sleeping late, or in general shirking obligations and attachments. But it only postpones the inevitable question of what comes next.
The removal of constraints is only the first step of freedom. Unlocking creativity or clearing obstacles and inhibitions creates its own challenge: how to harness this newfound power mindfully and permanently. True redemption is transformative, completely changing human perception of potential and possibilities. The ability to conceive and define what to do with sovereignty is perhaps the greatest freedom of all.
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson (1878-1944)
The father of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, was the chief rabbi of Yekaterinoslav (now Dnepro, Ukraine). An acclaimed scholar, a mystic, and tireless Jewish activist, he was arrested by the Communist authorities for his activities to strengthen Judaism. He died in exile in Alma Ata, Kazakhstan, on the 20th of Av, 1944.
Remember the exodus from Egypt by reciting the morning and evening Shema. Twice each day, take a moment to ponder on the true meaning of freedom. Which obstacles are holding you back? And if they were removed, what would you hope to achieve? Write a list and commit to one small action to make your vision a reality.
SOURCES & FURTHER READING:
- Beis Aaron, Parshas Noach
- Pele Yoetz, Erech Tzipuy
- Sefer Hasichot 5752, Parshat Shemot
- Toras Menachem, Chag Hapesach 5719
In the bigger picture of global liberation from the current exile, this process of personal redemption plays a pivotal role. The original exodus from Egypt provided the Jewish people with the key to continuously strip away constrictions—to, in essence, leave Egypt on a daily basis. They were given the ability to harness the power of the Divine tools (G-d’s mitzvot) to transform the person, and by association, the entire world.
This is the meaning of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak’s interpretation of the words of the Sages: All the days of your life, to bring the days of Moshiach. Even during the days of exile, bring in some of the limitless potential of the days of Moshiach, thus reframing the definition of freedom beyond a childish, “I can do whatever I want,” to formulate more meaningful goals and aspirations.
Glimpsing the full vista that lies outside the laws of the natural, physical world, draws in the passion and spiritual energy and brings the ideals of the future era of Redemption to fruition.
- True liberation is not just the removal of obstacles. It is the awareness and knowledge of what to do with that freedom.
True redemption is transformative, completely changing human perception of potential and possibilities.
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