11th of Nissan 5721 - Part 1 of 2
Yetzias Mitzraim, the Exodus (the departure from Egypt). the focal point of the festival of Pesach -· occupies a central place in Jewish life, both on the collective as well as on the individual level. As such it is a source of instruction and inspiration not only in its general theme, but also in every detail and aspect of it.
One of the fundamental features of the Yetzias Mitzraim message is the unlimited Bitochon - the absolute reliance on Divine Providence - which found such poignant expression in the historic event of the Exodus from Egypt. A whole people, men, women and children, several million in number, eagerly leave a well-settled and prosperous country, with all its fleshpots and material blessings, and go out on a long and perilous journey, without provision, but with absolute reliance on the word of God coming through Moshe Rabbenu.
Moreover, they do not follow the well-trodden and shorter route (through the land of the Philistines) which, although possibly entailing war, was yet more logical by far than crossing the vast and desolate desert. For in the fortunes of war there is a chance of victory, and even in defeat there is a chance of escape and survival for many, whereas the chances of survival in the terrible desert without food or water were, by all laws of nature, virtually nil. Nevertheless they follow the obviously "irrational" route solely on the word of Moshe speaking in the name of G-d.
Still greater is the wonder considering that this takes place after spending 210 years in a highly agricultural country, where nomadic life was despised, a land of fertile soil, independent of rain and climatic inclemencies, richly irrigated by the faithful Nile River, in short, a land completely secure in its natural resources and natural laws and conditions.
-To Be Continued-
