In this reading of Exodus, the story of Pesaj is being narrated. I, being an unorthodox Jew, celebrate this suffering every year, and nevertheless I am not in much agreement with the celebration itself. The way I see it, we are celebrating the getaway from the malicious Pharaoh, and almost everyone I hear says, “oh we suffered through the days of drought, we where brought misfortune.” According to this reading almost all, if not all of the punishments and “gruelling tortures” that the Jewish community had to overcome was because they brought it on themselves. They did not listen after Moses freed them, after he proved to all, even the disbelieving Pharaoh that there was a God. Makes me wonder, if He did such thing as to free you from the devil claws of slavery times then why would they dare defy his commands?The punishments and attacks that God places upon the Egyptians made it clear to them that there was a power that would defend the Jewish community. That they were going to be rescued. But isn’t this what we see in most places today. Miserable pay and almost no benefits in demand for excellence in work. Aren’t these unjustified actions that create the backbone to everything we have today?
The answer is yes. Workers, nurses, drivers, cleaners, you name it. How would we live if it weren’t to those we slap with unjustified actions with daily? If you take away the magical aspect and almost fantasy qualities of the story on might say that it is an accurate description of today.
Take this passage, the narrator does identify the pain and suffering of the people: “And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows” (Exodus 3:7)
I thereby wonder where is this voice of hope that reassures the happiness and fulfilment of some of those who do deserve it. God, if he perhaps can hear us, He has done his part and showed us that there must be a helping hand. The laws he has given are for us to obey and not replay that story.
Unfortunately we are constantly playing the part of fools, over, and over again.
0 comments:
Post a Comment