Redemption? Nu? - Shemot 5785

Redemption from Egypt was close.  The Jewish people were excited that the long awaited moment of their release from the vicious captivity and slavery had arrived.  The feeling of relief must have been overwhelming.

The events leading up to this moment were earthshaking.  Hashem had appeared to Moshe in a burning bush that didn’t burn up, and given him three miracles to perform.  A stick turning into a snake, a healthy hand instantaneously becoming diseased with leprosy and then returning to full health, and water turning to blood.  Moshe and Aaron came to the leaders of the Jewish people,  informed them of the great news, and performed the miracles.  The people 

wholeheartedly believed them and were elated!  Mission one successful!

Then Moshe and Aaron confidently went to Pharaoh and told him to send the people out of Egypt to serve Hashem.  Not only does he refuse, but he ramps up the slavery!  Now the slaves have to find their own straw to make bricks, and keep up the same quota of bricks as before, an impossible task.  The taskmaster beat them because they can’t keep up.

I think it is safe to say, based on the dialogue that Moshe had with Hashem at this point, that Moshe was crushed.  “Moses returned to G-d and said, ‘G-d, why have You mistreated this nation? Why have You sent me?  For since I went to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has made things worse for this nation, and still You have not delivered Your people!’” (Shemot 5:22,23.)  What a letdown!  

Hashem answered: “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: that because of My strong hand he will send them forth, and indeed, he will forcibly drive them out of his land.” (Shemot 6:1.)  Don’t despair, nothing has changed, the time of your redemption is here.  This new decree is just one last painful challenge you have to endure and that will be the end of the exile.  Moshe, the “Faithful Shepherd” of the Jews, is advocating for his people.  Hashem, who appreciates Moshe’s leadership and loyalty to the people, encourages Moshe to withstand the test of faith and not question.  And sure enough, shortly after that, the plagues begin and the Jews are free.

The prophet Micha (7:15) said, regarding the future redemption by Moshiach:  “As in the days of your going out of the Land of Egypt I will show him wonders.”  Our Sages have told us that there are many similarities between the redemption from Egypt and the future redemption, although, as implied in the verse, the miracles of the future will be wondrous even in comparison to the Exodus.

We have been told by the leaders of our people, beginning with the Rebbe, that the time of our redemption has arrived.  We have been looking forward to the moment of Moshiach’s arrival and the great revelation of Hashem’s light, along with all the prophecies of peace and harmony among all nations.  Over the past few decades we have been talking about Moshiach with great faith and conviction that he is coming imminently.  Hundreds of songs and thousands of articles and books have been written on the subject, and the excitement has been palpable.  

Then we have had the horrific attacks and the re-emergence of bold, open anti-Semitism.  Many are disillusioned and wondering how this could happen.  Is the redemption a reality when we are facing such hatred?  I think the answer is right there in this Parsha.  Note that Hashem did not answer Moshe’s question of “why?”  He reassured him that the time of redemption was here and that it would happen as planned.  I apply that to our generation.  The time of our redemption is here, and the additional suffering is the last gasp of evil.  May it be so immediately!