Rabbi Howard Morrison

This week, we begin to read the second book of the Torah, Shmot-Exodus. The first third of the book deals with the epic of "slavery to freedom." We commemorate this time annually at Passover and every day in the morning and evening liturgy. For over two hundred years, the Israelites were enslaved. The redemption from ancient Egypt became a symbol for all future redemptions to come.

Fortunately, we are not enslaved in the same way nowadays. However, we feel a sting of that enslavement since October 7, 2023. Hostages continue to be held outside of Israel. In the Diaspora, Jews continue to confront acts of anti-Semitism. Locally, vandalism and attacks take place too frequently. Just this week, two local kosher establishments have been vandalized and with hateful rhetoric.

As we begin the book of Shmot, may we soon feel freed and redeemed from acts of evil and hatred -  here, in Israel, and throughout the world.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Howard Morrison