In the days preceding the Exodus from Egypt, the Jews were commanded to tie a sheep to their bedposts. The ancient Egyptians served sheep as one of their pagan gods. This commandment was difficult for the Jews. They were so used to being cautious and obedient towards the Egyptians that this went against the grain of their imbedded survival instincts. And yet they overcame. They made this tremendous statement of confidence and faith in the one true G-d.

Then, the night before they left, they were commanded to slaughter the sheep and to enjoy a feast celebrating their redemption.

G-d understood the emotional state that the Jewish people were in. He knew that leaving Egypt, albeit a tremendously welcome redemption, was a difficult process. He understood that the Jews were still stuck in slave mentality, fearing that their actions would end up angering their oppressors, just as any abuse victim struggles with freeing themselves not only physically, but emotionally and mentally from their abuser.

Therefore, the process of the Exodus was just that, a process. It began with Moses demanding that Pharoah release his people, for we always make an attempt at diplomacy. The ten plagues gave the Egyptians numerous chances to understand how serious G-d is about the release of His beloved children. And finally, with great wonders and miracles, G-d commanded Moses to lead His people with their heads held high, with the entire world looking on in wonder, out of Egypt.

Although we were redeemed from Egypt thousands of years ago, the story of the Jewish people repeats itself throughout the generations. We are constantly being challenged to leave the slave mentality behind and to hold proudly to our title as G-d’s chosen people. Many have attempted to humiliate and crush our national spirit, yet we rise again and again, each time showing the world around us that G-d’s people will always prevail.

Just this week we have witnessed the tremendous miracles of our time, when our mortal enemies, the Iranian regime, tried to crush us. We held our own and showed the world that the Jewish people will defend themselves and that we will always prevail.

May this Passover season be filled with many more miracles, and may we shed any remaining vestige of our slave mentality and march proudly towards our final redemption as G-d’s proud nation, united.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Zushe Cunin