Divided we may fear, united we shall stand: A Pesach message

As the B’nei Yisrael gathered at the banks of the Reed Sea, they were split into four ideological factions.  A picture of utter disunity.  Yet moments later, they were marching across the sea to freedom together on dry land with no-one left behind.

What caused the mental sea-change (excuse the pun!)? After all, the Egyptians were still in hot pursuit.  At that stage, it was also dry land for the Egyptians! How were Bnei Yisrael transformed in the blink of an eye from an utterly divided nation three-quarters of which wanted to proceed no further to a totally unified one, marching forward to their destiny?

The answer may lie in the stirring words that Moses uttered and which the nascent nation of Israel en masse took to heart: Don’t be afraid! Stand together all of you and witness the salvation of G-D! (Ex. 14:13)

As it was then, so it is now. As we approach Pesach 3,337 years after the Exodus, the two scourges that once again beset Am Yisrael are: fear and disunity.

In much of the Diaspora, there is fear. Fear due to the rise of anti-Semitic atrocities.  Many Australian Jews have professed that they feel “unsafe”  While in Australia, Jews continue to be blissfully free to lead a full Jewish life and while the vast majority of Australians harbour no hatred of us, enough hate-fuelled incidents perpetrated by pro-Islamists have persuaded some that Australia is no longer safe for Jews.

In Israel, on the other hand, there is disunity. Israeli society is tragically approaching the nadir of pre-22/7 with ideological Right and Left trying to tear each other apart. Legislative, military and judicial arms are at war, acting as though there is no threat from a league of enemies – Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis – who are rejoicing at the prospect of an Israel on the brink of civil war, Heaven forfend!

At this time, the rousing words of Moshe Rabeinu have never been more relevant.

To Diaspora Jewry he is thundering: Don’t be afraid!  We have been here before!  When have we not had enemies? In every generation they rise up against us!  Yet, as we proclaim in the Hagada, G-D has always saved us from their hands. And He will continue to do so!

And to Israeli Jews, he is pleading: Learn from your mistakes!  Stop the witch-hunts!  Stop the recriminations! Stop the retaliations! Stand together! If you do, your enemies will fall before you like a pack of dominoes!

 And needless to say this need for brotherliness and unity, for mutual empathy and consideration,  applies to us all on the micro-level too – between siblings, between parents and children, husbands and wives, business associates, work colleagues rabbis, shul members, communal roof bodies, neighbours, friends.

G-D hates disunity among klal Yisrael even more than He hates idolatry! Peace among ourselves guarantees Divine protection (Bemidbar Raba 11:7). If we stand as one and move forward together, our generation may yet merit to experience miracles and wonders in excess of the totality of those we have experienced in the 3,337 years of our national existence!

Then none of us will have cause to fear.  Ever again!