Three Jews, Four Opinions
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A Multiple-Choice Test
The Jewish people were standing between the proverbial “hard place and the rock.” They were stuck at the sea, pursued by the Egyptians and at a complete loss as to their course of action.
Our sages in the Midrash relate that the Jewish people were divided into four camps.
One camp wanted to surrender and return to Egypt.
A second group wanted to fight the Egyptians
A third group wanted to commit suicide by jumping into the sea and drowning themselves.
A fourth group wanted to pray to G-d for their salvation.
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Which of these four groups were right? With whom did G-d agree?
None of the Above
The correct answer is none of the above.
Our sages tell us that G-d’s response to these four options was: “Why are you crying to me? Speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward.”
While all of the above options have some merit (with the possible exception of suicide), they were completely without merit in this particular situation, because G-d had already told them what their purpose was. They were taken out of Egypt to march towards Sinai, where they would receive the Torah and become a chosen nation. Any thought that turned them in a different direction or that did not push them in the right direction— including the option of prayer—was a deviation from G-d’s plan and was therefore wrong in this context, no matter how good it would have been in a different situation.
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Drive Safely. Don’t Take Your Eyes off the Road
Since the destruction of the Temple and the dispersion of the Jews in exile, we were told that this journey, as long and as arduous as it has been, has one goal, one conclusion. Whatever benefit G-d saw in keeping us in exile, He wanted that we should keep our eyes focused in one direction exclusively. We should always be looking towards Moshiach and the Redemption.
In times of crises, we agonize. What are we to do? How should we view things when there seems to be no meaning to the experiences of life around us? When we find ourselves situated between the hard place and the rock what is to be our strategy?
The answer is clear and unequivocal. Whatever we do, must fit into the general direction that leads us inexorably towards the geulah, the ultimate Messianic Redemption. Anything that takes our eyes off the road, G- d forbid, no matter how positive sounding the idea may be, is a deviation from the G-d PASSOVER given plan and is therefore just as wrong as an inferior plan.
But, marching forward is easier said than done. When the Jews were standing at the sea, marching forward meant entering into the sea.
Make the Plunge First
And there was one Jew, Nachshon ben Aminadav who marched forward, because he knew that this was G-d’s will. The sea did not deter him. When the waters reached his nostrils, our sages tell us, the waters split, not a second before.
Sometimes G-d wants us to start the process forward and he will respond in kind.
Only those people who are focused on the goal and not simply on the process will be able to act even before it seems feasible. In the end, it will become clear that there was no real obstacle.
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Modern Day “Nachshons”
Throughout history, there have always been “Nachshons” whose ability to see beyond and forge ahead made it possible for us to survive. Whether it was Ezra, Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakai, Rabbi Akiva, Rambam and the B’al Shem Tov, among many other great Jewish leaders, their success was tied in with their ability to make the plunge and forge ahead, even in face of incredible odds that they would not succeed.
In our own day and age we are privileged to have a leader, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, whose Nachshon-like approach to Jewish life assumed new proportions.
Following in the footsteps of his illustrious predecessor who fought the Communist regime and the indifference of America and succeeded, the Rebbe took the post-Holocaust generation and told them in no uncertain terms, we are going to bring the uplifting and vibrant message of Judaism—permeated with Chassidic depth and warmth—to every PASSOVER Jew. We will collectively forge ahead until we bring Moshiach and aan end to this exile.
Both of their lives were/are living embodiments of this message of marching forward towards the Redemption. Nothing, absolutely nothing deterred them, no matter how apparently insurmountable the obstacle.
May we finally see their dream, and the dream of generations of Jews, be realized imminently with the ultimate Redemption.
Be Part of the Solution
But part of the process of making it happen requires that we too follow our Nachshons and doing everything in our power to bring Moshiach. Rather than remaining passive as the few Nachshons forge ahead, it is imperative that we are all part of the process. Moshiach should come because of our efforts, not in spite of them.
This we do by living our lives Jewishly with life, enthusiasm and joy. We must also “open our eyes” to see how the world is changing PASSOVER before our very eyes and respond accordingly. We must prepare ourselves to greet and welcome Moshiach who will usher in the glorious Messianic Age.
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From the book Light from the Future: Last Days of Passover by Rabbi Heschel Greenberg, published by the Jewish Discovery Center.
