Happy Birthday to the Jewish People!
Yes, did you know? Pesach is coming, and it’s our birthday! That is when we became a nation, over three thousand years ago. And to the frustration of our enemies, many of whom have since been relegated to the dustbins of history, we are still going strong.
So let’s celebrate!
But also, some points to think about:
When God appeared to Moshe, all those years ago, He gave Moshe a message to relay to Pharaoh. “Bni bechori Yisroel”. Israel is my first-born son.
The Jewish people at that time were in a dismal state. Not only physically, but also spiritually. They were quite far from the glorious tradition they had inherited from the Patriarchs, Avraham, Yitzchok, and Yaakov. Many had sunk into idol-worship, learning from their Egyptian neighbors and masters.
Yet, a child remains a child. To God, they were still his collective beloved first-born son. And as a son, God would spare no “effort” as it were (of course effort doesn’t apply to Him in the literal sense), to redeem them, and avenge their oppression.
So what does that have to do with me?
Today, this message is as relevant as ever. Many of us might look in the mirror and ask ourselves, what is my connection with God? What is my connection with the Jewish people? I am so far. It doesn’t pertain to me.
Does this ever happen to you?
But in truth, that is not the case. As we learn from God Himself, a child remains a child, no matter what. Our souls are connected to Hashem, and we are eternally a part of the Jewish people. Each and every one of us, no matter how far we think we are. And Hashem loves us dearly.
So as we celebrate Pesach, let us reflect on that, and let us love Him back. Let us give our souls a chance to speak up, and unearth its message. A message we do not always hear, but deep, deep inside, we know it’s there. And that message is that we were really connected all along.
Chag Sameach!
by Rabbi Pinchos Fried
