Do not worry about a child’s future livelihood, but emphasize the child’s Jewish education
Every Jew is obligated to toil with mesiras nefesh to educate a fellow Jew. Everyone (whether high or low) needs to worry about the education of Jewish children. Changing one’s habits is called “serving G-d”, which can become a substitute for the enslavement of Galus.
Paroh’s Decree and Spiritual Death
(א) Paroh’s decree was physical death for the Jewish boys & even worse, spiritual death for the Jewish girls.
Toil in Mesiras Nefesh
(ו) “Our toil means our children” (Hagadah) in other words, we need to toil in mesiras nefesh for them.
Merit of Yehoshua ben Gamala
(ט) Merit of Yehoshua ben Gamala (the leader) that he created schools even for young children.
Enduring Questions
(יא) Since the question of “why you mistreated” is written in the Torah, it remains a question for all time.
Spiritual Challenges
The way to deal with spiritual challenges is to not give in at all. Tribe of Levi was not enslaved because they did not give in spiritually to Paroh.
Galus and the Essence of the Jew
Galus does not affect the essence of the Jew, and can not conceal the essence; the avodah in exile causes an elevation. Physical freedom from exile is attained by freeing ourselves from spiritual exile.
Names and the Soul
(א) Only the name, a glimmer of the soul's essence, descends into exile; the essence of the soul remains above exile to enable us to protect that part of the soul that descends into the exile.
Preoccupation with Business
(ט) Preoccupation with business (“hard labor”) makes bitter one’s spiritual life.
Overcoming Difficulties
When the essence of the soul shines, one can overcome all difficulties; using one’s unique abilities to fulfill one’s purpose elevates one’s soul.
Two Ways HaShem Expresses His Love
Two ways HaShem expresses His love: 1) counting - emphasis on what the recipients have in common חלק א-לוה 2) calling by name - emphasis on the unique distinctions of the recipients.
Making Bricks of Holiness
Our main avodah in Galus is making bricks of holiness from permissible materials for G-d’s Home below; turning bad into good and darkness into light. Two types of building materials: stones, made from Heaven indicate a lofty level; bricks, man-made from permissible matters reflects the main service in Egypt and in this world.
Descent and Ascent
Just as descent (physical) after descent (spiritual) to enter Galus, so too the Geulah requires ascent after ascent. Mother of the Redeemer needed elements contrary to the concept of Mitzraim: 1. שבט לוי not enslaved 2. conceived outside of its borders 3. supernatural (return of signs of נערות).
