No Jew Left Behind

In this week’s Torah portion, Parshat Shmot, we learn about the Jew’s descent into Egypt and the slavery which commenced. In two weeks, we will learn about the Exodus. 

G-d redeemed the Jewish people from Egypt because, as stated in this week’s Torah portion, they are “His firstborn son.” He tells Pharaoh to “send out My son so that he may serve Me.”

The redemption of the Jews from Egypt thus came about because all the Jews in Egypt, even the lowliest, were considered by G-d to be His children, and the connection between a father and child is so essential that it is not subject to deterioration or change.

G-d’s relationship with every Jew is thus so strong that, in the words of our Sages: “Whatever the case [whether you are good or not], you are called [My] children, [therefore,] exchanging them for another nation is impossible.”

This being so, why weren’t all the people redeemed from Egypt? The Midrash tells us that G-d forcefully redeemed the multitude from Egypt, even those individuals who were wicked. However, those who did not want to leave Egypt died during the three days of darkness. Why were they specifically excluded from the redemption? 

The arousal from above that brought about the redemption of the Jewish people from Egypt was predicated upon the revelation of G-d’s bond as Father of His children. Since this connection is not subject to change, it resulted in the freeing of all the Jews from Egyptian bondage, even those who were wicked, for “Whatever the case, you are called [My] children.”

But those Jews who refused to leave Egypt, choosing to remain “slaves to slaves,” placed themselves in a different category. By their refusal to leave, they opposed the very revelation of the essential bond between G-d and all Jews. It was thus impossible for this revelation to serve as the grounds for their redemption, because “a prosecutor cannot become a defense attorney.”

Nonetheless, this was only so regarding the redemption from Egypt. Concerning the future Redemption, the Torah assures us that all Jews, without exception, will be redeemed, may it happen right now!

Shabbat Shalom!

Candle lighitng time in NYC this week is at 4:38 PM.