JEWISH HOME LA

Dear readers,

Pesach might be behind us but there’s still plenty of Mitzrayim to leave.

Indeed, it says “kimei tzetcha m’eretz Mitzrayim…” – with kimei in the plural. Leaving Mitzrayim wasn’t a “one and done.” We may have left the geographical territory of Egypt, but we need to escape that which it represents on a daily basis. It is for this reason we remember our departure from Egypt every day.

Interestingly, as we said in the Haggadah, we will continue to recount yetzias Mitzraim even after the geulah shleimah. The simple reason is that, like with building a Lego set, at least half the thrill is in the actual building and challenges that come with it. We may be experiencing spiritual bliss in the coming redemption, but we’ll always look back longingly to the sweat and hard work we expended in keeping the Torah and mitzvos in golus.

Having said that, we still want Moshiach now!

We are living in unprecedented times. It is now unsurprising to read that the first response to Assad’s use of sarin gas came from Israel. Or that Israel is #1 in cyber security, has been helping California and other arid regions fight draught conditions, is at the forefront of medical breakthroughs, and has half the crime rate of this great country!

But we are a stiff-necked nation. Although eternally grateful for the miraculous success the State of Israel has had, our eyes are still on the goal: redemption from jealousy, sadness, and pain, marking a time when the world will be filled with the knowledge of G-d. May it come speedily in our days.

Wishing you a wonderful Shabbos,

Shalom