|
Chidushay Bang
Purim- Do Looks Matter?
Yaakov Eizicovics
Purim- Do Looks Matter?
Steve Wind
Parshat Vayikra - G-d's "Go-to" Guy
David Mahler
Parshat Vayakhel- Shekels of Fire
Alan Gersch
Parshat Ki Sesa - A Glitch in the Matrix
Avi Korn
Parshat Vayishlach: Dina
R' Michael Zauderer
The Simchat Torah Dance!
Isaac Galena
Shaking up Succos
Yaakov from Toronto
SHAVUOT - Holiday of the NIGHT!
Steve Wind
Purim: Is Shikar the Ikar?
myles brody
When I saw his face now I'm a
Baal Teshuva
seth galena
It's
Raining Mun, Hallelukah
seth galena
Unlikely
Savior or Brady Bunch Father
avi korn
Who know's 8?
Ethan Eisenberg
Where's
the beef on Chanukah?
Myles Brody
Rushing
into Greek Week
avi korn
Shabbos Reinforcement
by R' Michael Zauderer
Shmini Atzeret: Shavuot II
by Avi Korn
Succos: Sleepin' in the Succah
by Steve Wind
Parshat Ki Tavo: Use the Force!
by Steve Thompson
Parshat Ki Taysay: How To Treat a Woman Right!
by
Lisa Seligsohn
Parshat Shoftim: VH1 Behind the Avairah
by
Uri Korn
Parshat Dvarim: UNITY
by
Avi Korn
The UWS Survival Dvar Torah
by
Avi Korn
Parshat Chukat: THE ROCK!
by
Rivka Friedman
Do the Rite Thing
by
Adam "the Katzker" Katz
Jerusalem, I Hardly Know Him!
by
R' Michael Zauderer
Press
Your Luck
by
Danny Fax
|
|
|
Bang the Rabbi presents a pre-passover search for meaning:
Walk
Like an Egyptian By
hardest-last-name-to-spell correspondent
If
there’s one thing today’s Judaism is sorely lacking (besides a decent
Cholov Yisroel chocolate bar), it’s a role model to whom we can turn for
direction and inspiration. All too often, we find ourselves looking back
to the days of yore in search of a true hero, and what better grounds to
begin our quest than the story of Passover. It is here that we are
introduced to perhaps the most relevant role model for our times, and by
that of course I mean Pharaoh, ruler of Egypt.
“Hey,
wasn’t he a bad guy?” is what you’re no doubt thinking as you
quickly peek into your illustrated Artscroll Hagaddas to double-check.
“And besides, he wasn’t even Jewish!” (although some of his best
employees were). Well, you’re right – but I still think that in a
certain respect, we can draw as much inspiration from him as we can from
some of our more traditional heroes (Rashi, Rambam, Sandy Koufax etc.).
From
Pharaoh we learn true determination. After enslaving the Hebrews, plague
after plague rained down upon the people of Egypt. Did Pharaoh simply
acquiesce and let the Jews free? No. He withstood incredible adversity in
the face of his chosen course of action. Even as his subjects begged him
to give in, Pharaoh would not bow to public pressure. He was a rock, an
island, a bridge over the troubled Nile.
But
wait. What about Moses? Didn’t he display tenacity and courage as well?
After all, doesn’t it takes guts to stare down a world leader and make
unreasonable demands (unless you’re a terrorist with a bad accent, of
course). The short answer is no. Not if you have God waiting in your
corner with a bottle of heavenly Gatorade and words of encouragement
spoken in a James Earl Jones baritone. The difference between Pharaoh and
Moses lay in their respective support networks, and for this reason
Pharaoh’s feat is all the more admirable.
We
can extend our discussion to the Akeida.. While this act is revered as one
of the greatest displays of faith of all time (save perhaps that of
Toronto Maple Leaf fans in the mid-80s), I contend that each and every one
of you would have passed the test handily. Sure, slaughtering one’s only
son on a distant mountaintop isn’t much fun for anyone involved, but if
God actually bent down and whispered in your ear, you’d be off and
running before you could say “human sacrifice.” But could you have
stood up and faced unspeakable pressure like Pharaoh did? About as likely
as (baby-faced Leafs defenseman) Thomas Kaberle showing up at the next
game with a full beard.
As
Jews in the 21st century, we don’t have the constant reassurances of God
through his prophets and miracles and other celestial post-it notes. World
opinion and popular morality (there’s an oxymoron for you) have been
continuously shifting ever further leftward. Where society once held more
firmly to the bedrock of Judeo-Christian morality (think Leave it to
Beaver and Pleasantville), we now find ourselves awash on Dawson’s Creek
drifting helplessly towards Temptation Island.
In
short, we have very little backup in our role as the Chosen People,
whether from above or (perhaps more importantly) from around us. When we
gaze upwards to the heavens in desperation we don’t see God reassuringly
waving a burning bush like those guys on airport runways, but rather the
latest CK billboard replete with angelic models and tight men’s
underwear.
We are like Pharaoh in the
face of the ten plagues – pressure from all sides and no one to turn to.
Let’s take an example from him. I’m not suggesting that we enslave the
planet and build pyramids (apparently, Jews prefer more discreet means of
world dominance), but the next time you feel like you’re standing in the
path of a (Red Sea) tidal wave of pressure, think of Pharaoh and follow in
his determined footsteps. Walk like an Egyptian.
The
writer is still in search of a Cholov Yisroel chocolate bar that resembles
actual chocolate and costs less than $3.99. Please direct any suggestions
to yaakov@hotmail.com.
Readers Comments:
|
