Exodus, The

A story is told of a man who was driving about, desperate to find a parking spot. With no spots available, he called out, “Dear G‑d, give me a parking spot and I will pledge a thousand dollars to charity.”

For many people, a major aspect of life is looking for the "essence." What does it mean? they ask, what does it really mean? The questioners might be teenagers looking cynically and quizzically at the world around them, students at university, backpackers...

Was there not even a single person who deserved to be spared?

Lying here in my bed, unable to move or speak, unable to hug or kiss my precious children, I am in a physical Egypt

What animates me? What perks me up and gets my blood pumping? What thoughts come to mind when nothing else is taking up my brain space?

Chassidic teaching explains that there are two stages in the quest for freedom. That's why we have Bo and Beshalach. That's why we have the first and latter days of Passover. That's why we have the Exodus from Egypt and the Splitting of the Sea

The parting of the Red Sea was performed by G‑d after the Exodus. The Israelites walked on dry land, and Pharaoh and the Egyptians drowned.

Choosing a mitzvah over material and spiritual riches