Performing our Part in the Redemption
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
The Jewish people left Mitzrayim in the springtime, in Chodesh Aviv; therefore we celebrate Pesach in Chodesh Aviv. For this purpose our calendar has leap years to assure that Pesach always falls during the springtime. It was a great kindness from Hashem to take us out at a time that was neither too hot nor too cold. Springtime, Chodesh Aviv also teaches us a lesson on a deeper level. The Jewish people suffered in Mitzrayim for 210 years under the superpower of the time. Surrounded on all sides by an army of chariots and riders, no one escaped their power. Aside from their great wealth they were academically and culturally dominant. They had a distinct worldview and philosophy. Through their use of irrigation they converted a land without rain into a thriving and abundant agriculture and economy, as the verse says; “K’Gan Hashem, k’Eretz Mitzrayim, Like a garden of Hashem like the land of Mitzrayim”.
Their philosophy and approach was founded on revolved around their perception of nature. Their goal was to exploit nature to it’s utmost to create completeness through might. The exploitation of natural cause and using it for whatever they desired was the cause of our enslavement. They forgot about Hashem the One who causes nature to work and for all things to blossom. This is represented in the spring when we see the rebirth of nature. In the midst of all this Hashem commanded the Jewish People to take a lamb, the idol of Mitzrayim and slaughter it in public! The time of our redemption had arrived and Moshe Rabbenu informed the people that after 210 years of slavery Hashem wanted to redeem them. Many were in a state of despair. They felt completely dominated and were convinced that there was no way to escape. Nevertheless, against all odds, Moshe Rabbenu strengthened them to believe that they would indeed be redeemed, but in order to get out they had to do something, they had perform a part in the redemption. “Mishchu u’kchu lachem tzon”; Pull away from idolatry, come to yourself (literally: get a hold of yourself) and take a lamb and slaughter it for Hashem (a mitzvah). It’s not enough to do this in your heart or in your house; it must be provocative, in broad daylight in front of everyone. Then, promised Moshe Rabbenu that not only would we be redeemed but also Pharaoh himself would send us out.
Pesach represents the unity and the inter-inclusion of the supernatural and the natural. Both are one expression of the one and only Hashem. Our relation with Hashem in both aspects is reflected in the culmination of the exodus on Har Sinai with the two commandments of Anochi and Lo’Yehye Lecha: that Hashem is the one and only power, there is no other and we serve Him in all aspects.
Nowadays we also live in an updated version of Mitzrayim, a culture whose philosophy are theories based solely on nature. Many proclaim in the name of science to have all the answers and to have the ability to have control nature and exploit it to fit whatever desire dictates. They claim to know how to define all things and condone all types of behavior. Just as Mitzrayim passed, this too this shall pass. It’s is a great thing to use the natural world for the sake of humanity. It should not and does not come at the expense of realizing that nature itself is a gift from Hashem. Once again the Jew is caught in the cross hairs and some people despair of a way out of today’s culture’s eventual total domination over our destiny and our purpose. This is the lesson of the springtime and of Pesach. The time of our redemption has arrived. We need to do our part. It’s time to pull our hands away from the idolatry, of today’s superpower its culture, its philosophy and its idolization of nature. It’s time to get a hold of ourselves. Instead we offer it as a sacrifice, a part of our service of Hashem by acknowledging Hashem’s power in everything this spring, by doing the mitzvos of Pesach and enjoying the Seder together.
By celebrating Pesach this year, a year of Hakel, together with our families and communities, men women and children may we merit to celebrate Pesach together with Moshiach.
A Good Shabbos; A Kosher and Freilichin Pesach!
(Adapted from the Rebbe’s Letter; 11 Nissan 5725-1965)