 Preparation.
Whether it is for an exam, a Simcha, a job interview or
retirement our success is directly proportional to our preparatory
efforts. Immigrants who arrive in a new country without
adequate preparation of what lies ahead face enormous difficulties
and challenges beyond those that are part of any migration. The numbers of olim who moved to Israel in the
euphoria surrounding the return of Jerusalem to Jewish control
yet eventually returned to their western countries of origin
attest to this law of nature. Emotional identification is
no match for practical realities. Our ancestors who departed
from Egypt were caught in a similar bind.
When Moshe arrived bringing G-d’s message of redemption “the people believed. They accepted the message” (4:31). Throughout the unfolding events of the exodus they dutifully followed Moshe’s instructions. Despite the dangers involved, they slaughtered the Egyptian god and put its blood on their doorposts. And displaying tremendous faith in the unknown they followed Moshe into the desert.“ I remember the kindness of your youth …you followed Me in the wilderness in an unsown land (Jeremiah 2:2).
Such faith and desire to carry out G-d’s mission was too difficult for most. Thus our Sages teach us that only one in five had the necessary fortitude to embark on the journey from Egypt to Israel via Sinai. The other 80% perished in Egypt. The nation that left Egypt was truly a great one, full of faith and a sense of mission. Yet these best of intentions soon came face to face with the cruel reality of life in the desert. On no less than four occasions do the Jewish people vent their anger, fear and frustration regarding conditions in the desert. The pursuing Egyptian army, the food supply, the drinking water; at each and every turn there is another complaint. Whereas a scant few days earlier they hurried out of Egypt, now they were yelling “Weren’t there enough graves in Egypt? Why did you have to bring us here to die in the desert” (14:11). The eating of matza was replaced by cries of “there at least we could sit by pots of meat (sic) and eat our fill of bread! But you had to bring us out to this desert, to kill the entire nation by starvation” (16:3).
While we might have hoped for better, it is difficult to fault the Jewish people. How would you react if you had been enslaved your entire life and are suddenly free only to find yourself in a desert with little food and water. The Jews had yet to receive the Torah, had yet to experience Divine revelation.
This conflict between intentions and reality is borne out by an interesting explanation of the events leading up to kriat yam suf. One opinion claims that each tribe was vying for the right to be the first to jump into the sea to demonstrate their faith in G-d. The other Talmudic opinion states that the Jews gathered around the sea each one waiting for the other to jump in until Nachson ben Aminadav jumped in. With an insightful analysis one of the commentaries explains that in reality there is no difference of opinion. Miles away from the sea many vied for the opportunity to be the first in the sea. However when the time came to actually jump the big talkers were nowhere to be found. Thus Nachson was forced to jump in.
The challenge of converting intentions into action was one the nascent nation was not up to. While we can perhaps forgive the band of slaves in Sinai it is harder to understand ourselves who have had the opportunity to learn the lesson of Jewish history. How often do we find excuses not to act on our good intentions missing opportunity after opportunity to sanctify the name of G-d? Why are we quicker to complain than to act? We must strive to shake off our own slave mentality as we march forward. If we do so successfully then many challenges will turn into a growth experience. Shabbat Shalom!
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